Today’s Solutions: January 18, 2025

Education

Great minds lead to great solutions. Our education section features solutions and innovations directed at strengthening educational systems around the world.

illustration of man going into the light in human silhouette

First study of dying human brain gives a glimpse into our final moments

For the first time ever, scientists have recorded the activity of a dying brain, and their discoveries have given some legitimacy to the common idea that our whole lives “flash before our eyes” before death. The remarkable thing is that the scientists weren’t planning on measuring the Read More...

understanding mother comforts teen daughter

What is validation and why do we need it in relationships?

Validation is crucial for building healthy relationships. This word encompasses the simple act of listening and understanding another person, which communicates that you “get” what they might be going through. In other words, validation is reflecting what another person might be feeling, and Read More...

Art Changes Minds by changing hearts

Tapping the creative force, art changes minds in a changing climate

“The arts matter because we matter, and our stories matter. We are moving miracles, walking creators engaging in a cosmic dance. The art we express is timeless.” –Mohammed Sheriff, Division Coordinator at the National Endowment for the Arts (USA) By Oliver Kammeyer At The Optimist Read More...

young healthy vegan couple prepares meal in kitchen

Plant-based pleasure—why vegans have better sex

It’s common knowledge in the emoji world that fruits and veggies (peaches and eggplants) have a sexy rep—but could the sexiness of plant-based foods translate to real life? The answer is yes. We’ve shared many stories about how eating more plants is better for the planet and our bodies, Read More...

Amos Rex art museum Finland

These urban playgrounds might be why Scandinavians are so happy

We’ve written a good deal about “what makes people the happiest” at The Optimist Daily. We’ve enjoyed examining the lifestyle aspects of the Blue Zone countries or the joyous aspects of Finnish culture. While looking into Scandinavia, though, it’s important to check out their notion of Read More...

Beautiful resilient flower growing out of crack in asphalt.

How to train your own resilience as if it were a muscle

Resilience is like a muscle—we have to target it and actively build on it for it to grow. We have to be able to recognize that life isn’t always rosy and adapt with a stronger mindset that will ultimately lead to a happier life. In order to help foster more resilience within you, here are Read More...

diverse team of professionals put hands together

A seat at the table for underrepresented communities

Climate change is already affecting all of us—however, those that bear the brunt of these consequences are predominantly from low-income, marginalized, BIPOC communities. So why is it that out of the organizations that are trying to confront climate change and find solutions, about 95 percent of Read More...

five different people happily pose next to car on roadside

5 brain types and what make them happy, according to a neuroscientist

Over the past couple of years, there have been perceptible shifts in our collective vision of what our lives should look like. The Pandemic has exposed the weak points in our current systems and the inequities they perpetuate, causing us to seriously reconsider the track that we’re on.  There Read More...

Bored businessman and secretary playing with pencil and having fun in office meeting room. Horizontal shape, front view, waist up.

Feeling bored at work? Here’s what you should try

There are plenty of ways you can cure the boredom you feel at work, but not all of them are wise. For instance, watching something on Netflix or playing an addictive smart phone game would fall under the category of "not wise". Research shows there’s a better, wiser solution to fixing boredom: Read More...

Attractive young woman professional with glasses smiles while working on laptop

A recruiter's top 3 tips for finding your next dream job

Okay, so you finally decided to quit your job because you know you deserve a better fit to build the kind of life you want and are now on the hunt to find that perfect gig. However, identifying what kind of job seems like a daunting task. We spend so much of our life at work, so you want to be Read More...