Today’s Solutions: December 17, 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.

Need to solve a hard problem?

Need to solve a hard problem? New research suggests “sleeping on it” will help

Have you ever had a big decision to make and someone tells you to “sleep on it.” Well, a new study suggests that might just be the best advice a person could give you. At Northwestern University, a team of researchers designed an experiment to test whether cueing music associated with Read More...

If you want to stop animal cru

If you want to stop animal cruelty, donate to one of these fine animal charities

Americans are becoming more and more concerned with animal welfare. A 2015 Gallup poll found that 62 percent of Americans said animals deserve some legal protections. Another 32 percent — nearly one-third — expressed an even stronger pro-animal stance, saying they believe animals should get the Read More...

How to make fitness a part of

How to make fitness a part of your family’s routine

Like many life habits, our relationship with exercise is often formed at a young age. Showing your kids that a healthy, active lifestyle is fun and rewarding both physically and mentally is key to forming a lifelong relationship with good health. So, how can you foster a culture of active health in Read More...

Schedule autonomy might be key

Schedule autonomy might be key to beating the burnout at work

Even if you’re working at your dream job, it’s all too common to feel burnt out or stressed at work. Laura Vanderkam, a time management expert, says the key to finding sustainable happiness in the workplace may be how you’re working as much as what you’re working on. This means giving Read More...

Being proactive and mindful: i

Being proactive and mindful: is that even possible?

Mindful means being in the moment, while proactive means thinking and working ahead. Both are important for your career, but they seem to contradict each other. Can you be mindful and proactive at the same time? The answer is a resounding yes! The problem with mindfulness is that it’s often Read More...

This is what happens when peop

This is what happens when people win a basic income raffle

The rough premise of a basic income (BI) involves distributing small cash stipends to people, with no restrictions on how it can be spent. While some economists dismiss BI as inefficient and expensive, evidence shows it has real benefits. Recent experiments—in places as far flung Read More...

Why you should step out of you

Why you should step out of your comfort zone today

How often do you step outside your comfort zone? Chances are that feeling in your gut tends to keep you within the confines of comfortable. This week we challenge you to step outside your comfort zone to find growth and confidence. Still not convinced? Here are 7 reasons to step out of your comfort Read More...

Try these 6 herbs to boost imm

Try these 6 herbs to boost immune function this cold and flu season

The cold and flu season is upon us. If you’re sick of runny noses and pesky coughs, consider adding some powerful immune system boosting plants to your medicine cabinet. Herbal medicines have been used for thousands of years. Adding some to your daily winter routine could help you feel healthier Read More...

Doing these simple things will

Doing these simple things will make you happier than buying stuff this Monday

More than 165 million Americans plan to shop over the holiday weekend from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday. But have you considered . . . doing something else? Research suggests that your experiences—like hiking or having a meal with friends—are ultimately more satisfying than possessions. With Read More...

Here’s a quick chemical-free

Here’s a quick chemical-free way to clean your post-Thanksgiving microwave

Although we don’t want to add one more thing on your to-do list this year, you might want to clean your microwave oven. Microwaves can easily become a mess during the Holidays, but with a little effort, you can quickly clean it without using any chemicals. The first thing you’ll want to do is Read More...