What are sound baths? How ancient practices can transform your modern life
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL STAFF Whether you're an experienced meditator or just starting out on your self-care path, including sound baths into your regimen could be the ideal method to relax and decrease anxiety. This ancient discipline, which makes use of sound waves from instruments Read More...
New York schools commit to nurturing mental health through mindful breathing
Meet Noah Hill, a third-grader at Brooklyn's Dr. Ronald E. McNair Public School 5. He's discovered a simple yet significant technique for finding peace in the midst of chaos: "Breathe in through your nose, and breathe out with a whisper," he says. This technique, known as "ocean breathing," has Read More...
3 ways to fire up the vagus nerve and boost your immune system
While optimizing immunity is no easy feat, there is a scientifically-backed way to set the stage: firing up the vagus nerve. Because this nerve runs from the base of the brain through the neck and branches out in the chest all the way down to the abdomen, it touches almost all of our major Read More...
This neuroscientist-approved morning routine is great for brain health
Do you ever find yourself so overwhelmed by the to-do list that you struggle to stay sharp and focused? Neuroscientist and creator of meditation app, BrainTap, Patrick K. Porter, Ph.D., and neuroscientist Kristen Willeumier, Ph.D., know the feeling. They shared with Well+Good what they do every Read More...
The bountiful benefits of photography
Photography is a powerful art form that can be universally understood no matter where you are from. No matter if you snap using your phone, a digital, or analog camera, the hobby is full of surprising benefits, here are five of them. It’s a type of meditation Photography focuses your mind on Read More...
Don't let ADHD prevent you from meditating. Here are 8 tips for mindfulness
We’ve written quite often about the benefits of mindfulness and meditation, but we also recognize that it is sometimes a difficult practice to get into. Meditation is an active process that trains the brain to focus on the present — it’s much more than just quietly sitting still. For those Read More...
7 Natural ways to battle insomnia
Getting a good night’s sleep is critical for our health and productivity. If you experience trouble getting to sleep or struggle with insomnia, here are seven natural strategies to help remedy the issue. Eat nutritious food Insomnia is often linked to poor nutrition. Try to assess what minor Read More...
Feeling restless? Here’s how to channel that into something good
Whether you’ve got something major on your mind or you’ve eaten too much sugar, sometimes it simply feels impossible to sit still. You may be familiar with the feelings: anxious, antsy feet, jittery body, crawling skin, general unease, or quickening breath. This overwhelming energy can be very Read More...
How meditation helps the mindset of people coping with disease
Keeping our spirits up is important for all of us, no matter the task at hand, and that's easy to forget sometimes as we trudge along. When someone receives a life-changing medical diagnosis, it’s difficult enough to maintain the strength to endure treatment, let alone foster an outlook that lets Read More...
Why you should make meditation a part of your morning routine
What if you could take a magic pill each morning that would reduce your stress, lessen your anxiety, increase your ability to focus, and improve your memory? What if that pill had no side effects, you wouldn’t have to go anywhere to get it, and it is 100 percent free? Would you take it? Of Read More...