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.

This simple tip will increas

This simple tip will increase the gut health benefits of the probiotic foods you love

For those of us who crave the tangy delights of probiotic foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, and kombucha, the mere thought can set our taste buds tingling.  These fermented wonders not only tempt our taste buds, but they also provide a plethora of gut-boosting and health-protective advantages. But Read More...

Samhain ─ Inside the pagan t

Samhain ─ Inside the pagan traditions of Halloween’s ancient precursor

Editors Note: We're dusting off our Halloween history Optimist View to honor the day! “The magic of Samhain is that of endless possibility. Since we return to the beginning, we can begin anew in any way we wish.” ~ Michael Furie BY Marvin Lanes Haunted houses, scary movies, and terrifying Read More...

Ideas for solo dates: how to e

Ideas for solo dates: how to enjoy "me time" and practice self-care

In a world full of social interactions and shared experiences, dating yourself may appear unusual or even scary at first. However, as Cassie Ekstrom, a therapist who specializes in anxiety and life transitions, argues, going on solo dates can lead to personal growth, better self-confidence, and a Read More...

How We Rock the Spectrum creat

How We Rock the Spectrum creates inclusive play spaces for neurodivergent kids

Tiera Turner faced a predicament that many parents of neurodivergent children can relate to when her first son was diagnosed with autism in 2019. She couldn't find a place where her child could be himself without having to apologize or explain himself. Turner has two sons with autism and has Read More...

This magnetic ‘workout m

This magnetic 'workout mat' for cell health may revolutionize muscle growth

Picture a 'workout mat' built just for cells, a cutting-edge technology that mimics the mechanical pressures our muscles experience during exercise while inflicting no harm. MIT researchers made this ground-breaking notion a reality, providing hope and new potential for a variety of muscular Read More...

Young driver fatality rates in

Young driver fatality rates in the US are falling, thanks to education and technology

The newest Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) report contains excellent news for young drivers in the United States. There has been a dramatic decline in crash and mortality rates among drivers under the age of 21 during the last two decades. While they remain the most dangerous group on Read More...

Meet Sara Khadem, an internati

Meet Sara Khadem, an international chess master fighting for freedom

In a world where conformity may squash ambitions, an Iranian chess champion, Sara Khadem, took a courageous step that echoed a cry for independence. She accomplished something spectacular last December in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Sara, an International Master, competed without a hijab, which was a Read More...

American Women Quarters Progra

American Women Quarters Program celebrates achievements of remarkable women

In a special run of quarters to be minted for 2025, the Treasury Department announced that five extraordinary women will have their own remarkable place on US coins. These individuals are the result of a four-year journey in the American Women’s Quarters Program, which was created to honor Read More...

Healing together: navigating c

Healing together: navigating collective grief with compassion and resilience

Grief is a profound human experience, and when it manifests as communal grief, its repercussions ripple throughout society, affecting our emotional well-being and even our nervous systems. As grieving and trauma therapist Gina Moffa, LCSW, points out, sadness isn't confined to the loss of loved Read More...

Thrills and chills: how horror

Thrills and chills: how horror films can improve your mental health

The mere mention of legendary horror films such as "The Exorcist" and "Silent Night, Deadly Night" conjures up images of terror and revulsion. But did you know that, despite making spectators squirm and cringe, some films may be beneficial to their mental health? In this investigation, we look into Read More...