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.
Iran: Economic growth will defeat extremism in Middle East
Only weeks after financial sanctions were rolled back following the implementation of its nuclear deal with world powers, Iran is embarking on a mission to rebuild relationships with the West. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is on a four-day trip to Italy and France giving the message that Read More...
How science can teach us to be more relaxed
After a busy and stressful year, I recently found myself physically and mentally exhausted with a very real need to relax. A last-minute holiday felt like a perfect solution and I returned feeling refreshed and recharged. What was it that helped me to relieve my physical tension and restore my Read More...
Mindfulness: the craze sweeping through schools is now at a university near you
Slowly take a raisin and examine every wrinkle and fold of its surface. Feel its texture with your fingers. Inhale its scent. Squeeze it and hear how it sounds. Raise it to your lips, place it in your mouth, explore it with your tongue. Prepare to chew. As you bite into it, notice the bursts of Read More...
Family planning can help the world: Lessons from Indonesia
Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country, cut its fertility rate in half over a 30-year period. After decades of international efforts administered by the United Nations, development experts concur that family planning programs have been a key tool in reducing poverty and in empowering Read More...
The health benefits of knitting
About 15 years ago, I was invited to join a knitting group. My reluctant response — “When would I do that?” — was rejoined with “Monday afternoons at 4,” at a friend’s home not three minutes’ walk from my own. I agreed to give it a try. My mother had Read More...
How to live compassionately: Forgive yourself, forgive others
According to the dictionary, to forgive is to stop feeling Read More...
Greek islanders to be nominated for Nobel peace prize
Greek islanders who have been on the frontline of the refugee crisis are to be nominated for the Nobel peace prize with the support of their national government. Of the 900,000 refugees who entered Europe last year most were received –scared, soaked and travelling in rickety boats – by Read More...
People who value time more than money are happier, study finds
A new study by researchers at the University of British Columbia suggests that those who place a greater value on their time, rather than their money, are happier. Older people tended to value time over money, possibly because over the years, their priorities shifted, and they feel greater Read More...
Mindfulness is way easier than you probably think
It's pretty hard to find something to dislike about meditation or, as it's often sold these days, "mindfulness." Studies show that deep focus can reduce stress, improve health, even raise profits. But just because everyone agrees meditation is great, doesn't mean everyone is thrilled with Read More...
The surprising link between compassion and success
To many people, the idea of compassionate leadership is too touchy-feely at best and bad management at worst. But new research suggests that rather than making them look soft, acts of kindness and altruism increase leaders' standing in a group. In some contexts, that can translate into a serious Read More...