Lifestyle
Alongside taking care of other people and the planet, make sure you take good care of yourself. The Lifestyle section at the Optimist Daily has solutions for everyday wellbeing on topics like food, beauty, fashion, and the latest trends. Curious about caring for houseplants, eating plant-based, or parenting tips? It’s all in there.
A single dose of psilocybin gave smokers six times better odds of quitting than the patch
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM A new clinical trial from Johns Hopkins University produced results that surprised even the researchers behind it. Participants who took a single dose of psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, had more than six times greater odds of being Read More...
You can't spot-reduce belly fat, but you can lose it. Here's what the science says works.
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Every few years, a new product promises to "blast belly fat" or help you target your midsection. None of it works. Spot reduction, the idea that you can direct fat loss to a specific part of the body, simply isn't how human physiology operates. "You can't Read More...
Why 24 minutes of music may help reduce anxiety, according to research
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM When anxiety starts creeping in, many people instinctively reach for music. A calming playlist, a pair of headphones, and a few quiet minutes can make a noticeable difference. Science increasingly backs up that instinct, with new research suggesting that the Read More...
How to find your personal aesthetic when the internet keeps showing you everyone else's
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Style has a way of feeling most elusive exactly when you're looking for it. You know what you're drawn to. You know what you like on other people. But translating that into something that feels genuinely, consistently you? That's where things get Read More...
Heart health study of 200,000 people finds food quality matters more than low-carb or low-fat diets
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM For decades, nutrition debates have centered on a familiar question: Is it better for heart health to cut carbohydrates or reduce fat? A large long-term study suggests that the question may be missing the bigger picture. According to new research tracking Read More...
Where and when to catch peak cherry blossom bloom across the US this spring
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The beauty of the cherry blooms doesn't last long, but that's what makes it a spectacular phenomenon to catch each year. Once the trees are fully open, you typically have one to two weeks before wind, rain, or a temperature swing brings them down. Knowing Read More...
Pink noise for sleep: what it is and whether it actually helps you rest
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM For many people, a completely silent bedroom doesn’t feel relaxing but rather quite unsettling. A soft hum in the background, the sound of rain, or a steady stream of white noise can make drifting off easier. That habit is more common than you might Read More...
When to turn sprinklers on after winter (and how to avoid costly damage to lawn and home)
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The first warm afternoon of spring has a way of making everything feel urgent. The lawn looks a little tired. The flower beds need encouragement. It’s tempting to flip the sprinkler system back on and declare winter officially over. But plumbers would Read More...
Daylight saving time and kids: how to help babies and toddlers adjust without losing sleep
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Every spring, clocks jump forward by an hour and parents everywhere brace for impact. Daylight saving time has a special talent for disrupting even the most carefully built sleep routines, especially when babies and toddlers are involved. The challenge Read More...
How to recycle batteries the right way (without starting a fire or trashing the planet)
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM If there is a modern rite of passage, it’s this: one day you realize you’ve got a “battery drawer.” Loose AAs. A few mystery coins. A rechargeable device you swear you’ll deal with later. Yes, batteries keep our lives humming, but when they die, Read More...