Oregon becomes first state to legalize access to magic mushrooms
Back in July, we informed our readers that Oregon would officially vote on legalizing psychedelic psilocybin therapy. Fast forward to today, and the results of that vote are in: adults in Oregon can now legally access hallucinogenic mushrooms. This is a big deal. The Optimist Daily has long been Read More...
Why should you take vacation time, even during the pandemic
With travel restrictions in place, fewer Americans than ever are taking paid time off (PTO). But just because we can’t travel doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take vacation time during the pandemic. At least, that’s the opinion of Rhiannon Staples, chief marketing officer of the people management Read More...
Pet owners experienced lower levels of stress during lockdowns
From boosting morale to reducing levels of stress, sharing a home with an animal friend can go a long way in improving your overall mental health — especially during times of lockdown. At least, that’s what a recent survey from the University of York has found, after researching the Read More...
Optimist View: A how-to guide on surviving mental firestorms and thriving in the midst of chaos
BOOK REVIEW of Emotional Inflammation: Discover Your Triggers and Reclaim Your Equilibrium during Anxious Times by Lise Van Susteren, MD and Stacey Colino By Kristy Jansen Inflammation (n): a localized physical condition in which part of the body becomes reddened, swollen, hot, and often painful, Read More...
Does your college benefit mental health? Look for these 5 campus factors
Although the return to college campuses looks pretty different this year, choosing a school that supports your educational and personal goals is still important, even if classes are online. Fortunately, more and more universities are putting a greater emphasis on student wellbeing and investing in Read More...
People are turning to livestreams of aquariums to find calmness
Back in 2015, a study conducted by the National Marine Aquarium, the University of Plymouth and the University of Exeter found compelling evidence that “doses” of exposure to underwater settings could have a positive impact on people’s wellbeing. The coronavirus pandemic seems to be a Read More...
20 ways to protect your mental health, according to modern science
Just like we at The Optimist Daily are striving every day to lead a healthy, positive lifestyle, we want our readers to be able to do the same. Modern brain science has a lot to say about what helps protect us given the risk factors of today. With that in mind, here are 20 strategies to practice Read More...
Iceland invites people to relieve stress by screaming into its wilderness
Given the state of the world in the last couple of months, it’s likely that there are many pent-up emotions that you would like to let go of. Well, why not try screaming them out into Iceland’s vast wilderness? With the intent of helping people release some stress amid the pandemic, the island Read More...
Mental health: Learn the difference between ‘loneliness’ and ‘being alone’
For the past few years, we’ve been told that loneliness is a public health crisis, as damaging as smoking 15 cigarettes each day. The messaging is that we’re people—people who need people—and spending too much time by ourselves is a major problem. Oh, but at the same time, Read More...
How to create a “quaranteam” to beat loneliness and stay healthy
If the loneliness and isolation of quarantine are getting to you, it may be time to embrace another solution: quarantine bubbles. These “quaranteams” involve strategically merging your quarantine circle with another for increased social interaction and mental wellbeing. While this probably Read More...