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 Rocky Mountain National Park is making trails more inclusive for all visitors
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Exploring the beauty of America's national parks should be something everyone can enjoy. But for millions of disabled visitors, that promise of adventure often falls short. Now, Rocky Mountain National Park is making powerful strides to change Read More...
Reignite your spark: 6 playful ways to channel back-to-school energy as an adult
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Remember the flutter of excitement before the first day of school? The smell of new books, a carefully chosen outfit, and the sense that anything could happen? That back-to-school buzz isn’t just for kids. With a little creativity, you can capture it right Read More...
How pollinator pathways are turning city alleys into thriving insect havens
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM On a warm afternoon in Bristol, an alleyway once known for litter and neglect is now humming with life. Catmint, yarrow, geraniums, and anemones fill the air with color and scent, attracting bumblebees, hoverflies, and ladybirds. “It’s buzzing with Read More...
UK police go undercover in Surrey as runners to crack down on street harassment
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Eighteen people have been arrested in Surrey, UK, after undercover police officers posed as female joggers to identify and intervene in cases of street harassment. The month-long pilot program called “Jog On”, launched by Surrey Police, sent plainclothes Read More...
Why your lunch is making you sleepy (and how to stop the slump)
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM We’ve all been there: One moment, you're riding the lunch-hour high, and the next you're half-asleep at your desk, contemplating a nap under it. Welcome to the dreaded food coma, also known in science-speak as postprandial somnolence. If this Read More...
Why fewer Americans are drinking alcohol—and what’s replacing it
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Only 54 percent of Americans say they drink alcohol, according to a recent Gallup poll. This is the lowest figure in the poll’s 85-year history. It’s a one-point drop from the previous low in 1958, and a stark shift from 1978, when 71 percent of Americans Read More...
How to prepare for a hard conversation when you hate conflict
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM If your pulse spikes at the infamous words “We need to talk,” you’re not alone. For many people, conflict feels synonymous with shouting, crying, or someone storming off. But as therapist Aparna Sagaram, LMFT, explains, that mindset doesn’t serve us Read More...
The slow demise of fur: how fashion, policy, and activism helped millions of animals
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In 2014, over 140 million animals like minks, foxes, and raccoon dogs were farmed and killed for their fur. By 2023, that number dropped to around 20 million, according to a Humane World for Animals analysis using global and industry data. Though it excludes Read More...
7 pilates mistakes instructors notice (and what to do instead)
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORAL TEAM Pilates isn’t about going harder or faster. It’s about precision. To an outsider, it can look like “not much,” because the work happens in tiny, controlled ranges. “It might feel very different than what you’re used to,” says certified instructor Read More...
The grass-eating mystery: why cats and dogs snack on greens
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM You’re out walking your dog or watching your cat in the backyard when, out of nowhere, they start nibbling grass like it’s a gourmet salad. It's odd behavior, especially for cats, who are strict carnivores. So what's going on here? According to Dr. Read More...