Health
Finding good health news amidst a pandemic can be quite daunting. That’s not the case with The Optimist Daily, where positive news is in high supply. Our Health section covers the latest good news from the health sector, featuring solutions ranging from mental and physical health to immunity, nutrition, and cutting edge medical research.
Deadly spider venom could soon help repair damage from heart attacks
Australia’s Fraser Island funnel-web spider is one of the world’s most dangerous arachnids. This is because of the powerful fangs through which it delivers its potent venom, as well as the venom itself — which has recently come to the attention of scientists as a promising potential drug Read More...
This artist uses an ice cream van to talk about grief and mental health
Grief is often thought of as something that people handle privately, but this period of collective loss is changing how we mourn. Artist Annie Nicholson (who goes by The Fandangoe Kid) also believes in shattering the taboo around loss, trauma, and mental health. “Grief is a part of life and on Read More...
Neuroscientists prove that taking more outdoor walks is great for your brain
Adults spend 80 to 90 percent of their time indoors, on average, but as animals, we are supposed to spend far more time in the great outdoors. If you need more convincing to get outside, science can definitively declare that it’s important to awaken our natural selves by connecting with the Read More...
This device connects to your fingertips to produce energy while you sleep
Earlier this year, we wrote about a breakthrough study from the University of Tokyo, where scientists invented a sustainable smart-watch battery that uses nothing but the wearer’s sweat to generate electricity. Following in the footsteps of that innovation, engineers at the University of Read More...
How to tell how well you're really sleeping
Good sleep is key to good health, but how can you be sure you're really getting the rest you need? Today we bring you four ways to determine how well you're sleeping for improved rest and overall wellness. Length of sleep How long you sleep is the number one indicator of sleep, but this doesn't Read More...
Researchers allow paralyzed man to speak via brain signals
A man who is severely paralyzed was able to communicate successfully using cutting-edge technology that translates signals from his brain to his vocal tract into words that are displayed on a screen. Researchers at UC San Francisco developed this technique that allows people with speech loss to Read More...
Summer sleep struggles? Here are some easy remedies
As we head into the heat of summer, you may find yourself having more trouble sleeping than usual. This is a common issue for a variety of reasons, but today we have a few solutions to help you troubleshoot your summer slumber. Why does summer disrupt our sleep? Excess heat is the primary sleep Read More...
Maine passes groundbreaking law banning “forever chemicals”
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as “forever chemicals,” are toxic chemicals found in a wide range of products we consume and use on a daily basis including packaging, cookware, cosmetics, and textiles. These chemicals are being increasingly linked to serious diseases Read More...
Study: Dance therapy is incredibly beneficial for patients with Parkinson’s
A big part of addressing Parkinson’s is slowing the progression of the disease to maintain as much mobility as possible, and fortunately, a new study from York University in Canada finds that the joy and movement of dance classes can effectively slow the progression of Parkinson’s. The Read More...
Six reasons to wake up early
We all know that the early bird gets the worm, but what are the actual benefits of waking up early? It’s important to listen to your body’s natural circadian rhythms, but establishing a regular sleep schedule with an early wake up time offers many benefits for your health and wellbeing. Here Read More...