Canadian doctors are now prescribing patients "time in nature"
Here at The Optimist Daily, we’ve shared countless stories on the benefits of spending time in nature on many levels—emotionally, physically, and mentally. Well, health care providers in four Canadian provinces (British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario) are taking these findings Read More...
Forest Schools surge in popularity in the UK
Around 30 years ago, The Forest School movement was introduced to the UK via Scandinavia, a place where a passion for nature and the great outdoors is a deep-seated part of the culture. Now, Forest Schools are experiencing a revival in the UK. According to a 2021 survey by the Forest School Read More...
6 ways to maintain mental health during unpredictability
It’s now 2022, and the world is still reeling from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The global crisis has taught us many lessons, one of them being the importance of resilience and maintaining our mental health, especially in exceptional circumstances. Here are six practices that will help you Read More...
Four New Year’s resolutions that benefit you and the planet
New Year’s resolutions tend to focus on how we can better ourselves for the year ahead, but what if we broadened the scope of our resolutions to include our communities and the planet? Although unconventional, expanding your resolutions will make them more impactful and could even help you to Read More...
You can contribute to science while observing nature in your backyard
From analyzing distant galaxies in order to help astronomers better understand the universe to protecting the coral reefs from climate change, there are plenty of cool ways you can contribute to science these days. And if you have been particularly attentive to the nature around you while in Read More...
Researchers finally discover millipede that actually has 1000 legs
If you have any knowledge of Latin, then you may know that the adorable critter known as the “millipede” gets its name from the Latin words for thousand which is “mille” and for foot which is “pes.” So, you may be surprised to find out that no millipede with more than 750 legs has ever Read More...
How to stay warm this winter during outdoor social gatherings
Temperatures are dipping and snowflakes are falling, but that doesn’t mean we have to say goodbye to our outdoor social gatherings. Plus, it might not always be safe to gather indoors, and everyone will have different comfort levels surrounding indoor gatherings. Even if you hate the cold, Read More...
Scientists record second person ever to eliminate HIV naturally
The human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, operates by replicating its own DNA into its hosts. This means it takes over the organism a cell at a time, altering its immune system and bodily functions. To suppress the disease, people infected receive treatment called anti-retroviral therapy (ART). Read More...
What are starling murmurations and why do they happen
Those who are lucky enough to witness a starling murmuration know exactly how transfixing and hypnotic it can be to be in the presence of such a magical natural phenomenon. A starling is a small to medium-sized bird that has a short tail, pointed head, and glossy black feathers with hints of Read More...
Stuck indoors? Here are 7 ways to introduce more nature into your routine
We all know that spending time in nature is good for our physical and mental health, but between work and family commitments, it can be tough to find time in your day to soak in the great outdoors. Fortunately, there are simple ways you can work more nature into your life each and every day. Here Read More...