Lifestyle
Alongside taking care of other people and the planet, make sure you take good care of yourself. The Lifestyle section at the Optimist Daily has solutions for everyday wellbeing on topics like food, beauty, fashion, and the latest trends. Curious about caring for houseplants, eating plant-based, or parenting tips? It’s all in there.
This is why young children love dinosaurs so much
Whether it’s playing with toys, sticking their elbows in their tee shirts to imitate a t-rex, or digging for fossils in the backyard, many children love dinosaurs. For most children, this interest fades over time, but Dr. Arthur Lavin, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics committee on the Read More...
Early bird gets the worm—Here’s how to become a “morning person”
Your chronotype describes your body’s natural circadian rhythm trends. Are you an early bird or more of a night owl? Although this predisposition to waking and sleeping at a certain hour is, in fact, partially genetic, you can change your body’s natural behavior with some easy tricks. Here’s Read More...
Got leaves? 3 Eco-friendly ways to put them to good use
Beautiful changing leaves are one of autumn’s greatest gifts, but raking those leaves up once they hit the ground is not as fun. However, these raked leaves hold underappreciated benefits. Rather than sending them to the green waste can this year, put them to good use with these three strategies Read More...
4 Essential fall projects for a healthy garden
We recently shared a story on how to prep your garden soil for winter, but soil health isn’t the only concern for home gardeners as we head into cooler weather. A few simple autumn projects will help build strong foundations for your garden so it’s ready for another productive year come Read More...
Help your teen find purpose through activism and volunteering
All parents hope to raise empathetic and altruistic kids, but this can feel more difficult during the teenage years as kids begin to assert their independence. Research has shown that volunteer work and activism is good for our physical and mental health. This work can be particularly impactful for Read More...
How to avoid a mid-afternoon caffeine crash
If you’re guilty of indulging in a cup of coffee, or three, every morning, you may find yourself experiencing fatigue and irritability mid-afternoon. Otherwise known as a caffeine crash, this slump can put a damper on your day, but understanding what causes it can help you avoid it in the Read More...
The Optimist View: Finding a fresh food solution with the help of the world’s saltiest plants
“Daily, our eating turns nature into culture, transforming the body of the world into our bodies and minds.” - Michael Pollan BY Amelia Buckley What do you picture when you hear the word halophyte? No, it’s not an obscure insect or the name of Elon Musk’s new futuristic car. Halophyte Read More...
Struggling with back-to-school season? 4 tips to get kids back on track
The school year is officially in full swing, but after months of online classes, your child may be having a hard time adjusting to the classroom. Covid-19 can certainly make the back-to-school season more difficult, but for many children, fitting in and excelling in school was tough enough even Read More...
10 Tips to prevent food waste in your garden
Growing your own food is hard work—don’t let all that work go to waste. Here are 10 strategies to help you avoid food waste in your garden. Choose plants appropriate to place If you’re planning to harvest food in your garden, then it is of utmost importance to choose the right plants for Read More...
How to avoid the three most common fall allergies
Fall is the season of beautiful leaves and cozy soups, but what might not be so pleasant is your fall allergies. As summer blooms fade and winds pick up, you might begin to experience allergies that are just as bad, if not worse, than those in the spring. Allergies can be caused by a wide variety Read More...