Today’s Solutions: December 19, 2025

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.

How job loss affects your heal

How job loss affects your health—and what to do about it

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Losing a job can shake more than just your budget. It can rattle your health—mentally, physically, emotionally, and socially. While the economic impact of unemployment is widely understood, what often goes overlooked is how deeply financial stress can Read More...

New cat color unlocked: ’sal

New cat color unlocked: ’salty liquorice' sheds light on feline genetics

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a surprising turn for feline genetics, scientists have officially identified a new cat coat color that defies traditional classifications. Named salmiak—after the salty liquorice candy popular in Finland—this unique coat starts as black at the root and Read More...

Friendships across income line

Friendships across income lines boost social mobility, study shows

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM A new study has found that friendships bridging economic divides can meaningfully improve social mobility—and even boost future income. Children from low-income families who grow up in areas where friendships span income groups are likely to earn Read More...

Creative Easter egg alternativ

Creative Easter egg alternatives that are fun, festive, and egg-free

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Easter crafts are a cherished tradition in many households—whether it's dyeing eggs, setting up an egg hunt, or simply spending time getting creative with family. But with egg prices still fluctuating and some store shelves feeling a bit bare, you may be Read More...

Feeling behind in life? Here

Feeling behind in life? Here’s how to deal with success envy

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM It’s easier than ever to feel like everyone around you is thriving while you’re barely keeping up. Promotions on LinkedIn, milestone posts on Instagram, and group chats buzzing with career moves can all make it seem like your progress doesn’t quite Read More...

How collective healing helps u

How collective healing helps us thrive in uncertain times

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a world that often feels fragmented by political division, economic instability, and ongoing social challenges, healing can feel like a solitary pursuit. But the truth is, many of our wounds are not individual—they are collective. So, what happens when Read More...

Should you mix your friend gro

Should you mix your friend groups? Here's how to do it right

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Bringing together friends from different parts of your life can feel like introducing characters from different books into one shared story. It might be for a birthday dinner, a wedding, or a casual game night. Either way, there's something exciting about Read More...

Why decluttering is so hard—

Why decluttering is so hard—and how to start when you're overwhelmed

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Spring is in the air—and with it, the itch to clear out the clutter. But if the thought of tackling that overflowing closet, chaotic junk drawer, or the mysterious room full of miscellaneous keepsakes makes you want to crawl back under a blanket, you’re Read More...

Your heart’s secret sign

Your heart's secret signals: What HRV tells you about your health

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Wearable health tech has made it easier than ever to track our well-being, from step counts to sleep scores. However, there is one metric that often goes unnoticed: heart rate variability (HRV). If you have seen it pop up on your smartwatch and wondered, Read More...

Can a video game detect Alzhei

Can a video game detect Alzheimer's early? Scientists think so

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM A new video game is changing the way people think about cognitive health. The Mind Guardian, a free app designed to detect early signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia, recently flagged 73-year-old Paz Rey Duarte as “at risk” for cognitive impairment. Though Read More...