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.
Boredom is not a problem to be solved. It's the last privilege of a free mind
Lean in to boredom, not your smart phone screen. You’ll learn more about yourself and the world around you than you think Confessing to boredom is confessing to a character-flaw. Popular culture is littered with advice on how to shake it off: find like-minded people, take up a hobby, find a cause Read More...
7 habits that force your mind to stop worrying
Worrying can get the better of almost anybody. Work stresses, personal concerns, and sometimes even irrational thoughts can seep into your mind and interfere with your ability to concentrate on ordinary tasks. Unfortunately, stopping those worries isn't easy--there's no "off switch" that can shut Read More...
Facebook's Mark Zuckerburg pledges free internet to all UN refugee camps
As the refugee crisis continues to divide families and communities across Europe and the Middle East, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerburg is doing his "share" to help migrants stay connected. At a UN forum in New York on Saturday, Zuckerburg made a pledge to bring the internet to all UN refugee camps. Read More...
No more flat tires? German researchers discover rubber that can heal itself
Compared to what Richard Branson is talking about this issue might seem less pressing, but still: a world without flat tires would be nice as well. Thanks to researchers in Germany, it could become reality. They discovered a way to manufacture rubber that can “heal itself” after being cut or Read More...
How to become a better writer...with neuroscience!
Writing often takes a lot of time and practice to master, but according to a new book by Yellowlees Douglas, an associate professor of management communication at the University of Florida, there are a few neuroscience-backed tips anyone can use to become a better wordsmith. Douglas wrote the book Read More...
Bitcoin and sharing economy pave the way for new 'digital state'
The sharing economy and the blockchain are technological innovations that could pave the way for a new digital state, according to Cabinet Office minister Matthew Hancock MP. Services like Airbnb and Uber, which epitomise the so-called "sharing economy" by allowing users to cut out the middle men Read More...
Why office meditation is about to get easier
Headspace is carving out a place for itself in the corporate world. The meditation service, which closed a $30 million funding deal on Wednesday, plans to release an enterprise product next year for companies that want to provide mindfulness training to their employees, CEO Sean Brecker told The Read More...
World Peace Day: What you can do for peace
Most people want world peace and tolerance towards the “other” in our society. But how can one person get involved? If you don’t know where to start here’s my toolbox of suggestions on how to work towards peace and tolerance and make a difference to the Read More...
About how prayer affects the brain
The papal visit is a time for ritual, prayer, and meditation. Research has shown that such activities - even outside a religious context - change our brains for the better. Andrew B. Newberg, a neuroscientist and director of research at Jefferson University Hospitals' Myrna Brind Center of Read More...
Sweden experiments with six-hour-workday: efficiency up, staff turnover down
Scandinavian countries have been known for showing the world the importance of quality of life over economic growth. Now,nursing homes, hospitals and businesses in Sweden have switched from an eight-hour to a six-hour workday. And guess what? It’s benefitting everyone. The shorter workday gives Read More...