Today’s Solutions: April 20, 2026

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.

The surprising way fruit can p

The surprising way fruit can protect your lungs from air pollution, according to science

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Whether you live near traffic-clogged streets, wildfire zones, or just breathe everyday city air, you’re likely inhaling more pollution than you think. According to the World Health Organization, 99 percent of people worldwide are exposed to air pollution Read More...

Is barre strength training or

Is barre strength training or cardio? Here’s what fitness pros want you to know

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Barre has long been a go-to workout for those who want to tone up without the pounding impact of high-intensity training. Inspired by ballet, Pilates, and yoga, this elegant yet intense method delivers a total-body burn, often with just your body weight or a Read More...

How to actually eat healthy wi

How to actually eat healthy with an air fryer, according to science (and common sense)

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM It’s the start of a new year, and your air fryer is probably still sitting proudly on the kitchen counter, waiting for its next round of sweet potato fries. But if your resolution was to “eat healthier” in 2026, you might want to ask yourself: Is your Read More...

Grandparents raising grandkids

Grandparents raising grandkids get a lifeline in New Mexico’s free child care expansion

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM When New Mexico rolled out its landmark universal child care program, most headlines focused on working parents. But tucked into the policy is a quieter, deeply meaningful change: grandparents who are raising their grandchildren can now access free child Read More...

A gentle way to begin again: t

A gentle way to begin again: the beginner’s guide to loving-kindness (metta) meditation for the new year

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM As each new year begins, many of us feel an intuitive pull to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with ourselves in a more intentional way. Meditation is often high on the resolution list, and for good reason. It’s been linked to improved sleep, less Read More...

Why tiger nuts might be the fi

Why tiger nuts might be the fiber-rich superfood your diet is missing

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM They may look like shriveled chickpeas and carry a name that sounds like a novelty snack, but tiger nuts are quietly becoming a go-to superfood for health-conscious eaters. While they’ve long been a dietary staple in parts of Africa and Spain, the rest of Read More...

How to refresh your home for t

How to refresh your home for the new year without spending much

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Once the last ornament is packed away and the holiday chaos gives way to quiet, it’s not just us that are lost between festive cheer and the routines of daily life; your home may feel like it’s in limbo, too. But this in-between moment is actually the Read More...

8 creative side hustles that m

8 creative side hustles that made money in 2025 that could work for you in 2026

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM With rising costs and evolving work norms, side hustles have become more than just a financial boost; they’re a gateway to creativity, flexibility, and in many cases, full-blown entrepreneurship. If you’re hoping to start a side hustle in 2026, Read More...

How to rediscover intrinsic mo

How to rediscover intrinsic motivation in the new year

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM A new year often comes with new intentions, new goals, and new calendars waiting to be filled. But before jumping into resolutions or performance-based productivity, it might be worth pausing to ask a deeper question: What’s actually driving you? Is the Read More...

Forget new year’s resolution

Forget new year’s resolutions: why setting intentions is the key to a fulfilling year

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM New Year’s resolutions often come with high hopes and, let’s face it, high failure rates. For many, they’ve become synonymous with frustration and unmet expectations. But what if the problem isn’t you, but the concept itself? According to change coach Read More...