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.
Yoga is philosophy in physical form, says a philosophy of mind professor
Yoga class undoubtedly improves a person’s flexibility and serenity. But Lisa Miracchi, a philosophy professor at University of Pennsylvania who is teaching a seminar called “Yoga and Philosophy,” says that the poses can also enhance your reasoning, behavior, and relationships. Miracchi, who Read More...
Sustainable living: Barcelona is better for your mental health than New York
New research shows that being surrounded by tall buildings produces a “substantial” negative impact on mood. City dwellers have a 40 percent increased risk of depression and double the rate of schizophrenia. That’s the problem when cities are designing ever denser centers to accommodate for Read More...
Yoga and controlled breathing may ease depression
New research suggests a 12-week integrative health intervention may significantly reduce depressive symptoms. Columbia and Harvard researchers discovered training in Iyengar yoga classes and coherent breathing provided considerable benefits for individuals with major depressive disorder. However, Read More...
France has the highest fertility rate in Europe and why that is important
The fertility rates of countries across the European continent have fallen drastically since 2001. In fact, most countries are not making enough babies to replenish their populations, that is, except for France. The country recorded the highest number of births (799,700) in 2015 and the highest Read More...
B vitamins may have 'protective effect' against air pollution
B vitamins may offer some protection against the impacts of air pollution, a small scale human trial suggests. Researchers in the US found that high doses of these supplements may "completely offset" the damage caused by very fine particulate matter. The scientists involved say the effect is real Read More...
Lessening negative thinking can ease depression
New research suggests that learning to stop thinking or worrying about the various aspects of situations that are upsetting can be a liberating skill, a competency that can help people gain control over depression. The Norwegian study shows that learning to reduce rumination is very helpful for Read More...
Preventing food loss in Africa with these low-tech cooling units
In most of Africa there are no refrigerators. As a result, a third of the food produced on the continent is never consumed. It is a very painful loss for the millions of people in Africa who are food insecure or undernourished. A young IT graduate developed a solar-powered, walk-in cold room that Read More...
Want to live long? Eat more—or less—of these 10 foods, according to new study
In the US, nearly 1,000 deaths each day are linked to poor diets. Now scientists at Tufts University have identified ten foods that create either the highest risk of dying from heart disease, stroke or Type 2 diabetes or they are best at preventing these diseases. For all of you bacon-lovers and Read More...
Ease your pain naturally with essential oils
If medications aren't easing your pain, you might be interested in alternative remedies for relief. Essential oils may be one natural way to relieve pain. Essential oils are highly fragrant substances found within the petals, stems, roots, and other parts of plants. They’re typically removed from Read More...
If not for your own health, you should buy organic for the farmers—here’s why
Maybe you doubt whether organic food would serve your health. However, a new U.N. report shows 'catastrophic impacts' of pesticides on human health and environment. An average of about 200,000 people die from the toxic exposure of pesticides per year across the world, the report says, calling for Read More...