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.
A tax on jet fuel might make your flights more pricey, but it’s worth the cost
Since World World War II, it became standard to not tax fuel on international flights in order to incentivize commercial aviation—in contrast with taxes on fuel used by trucks and cars. But at the time where we need to reduce the negative impact of the aviation industry, it no longer makes to Read More...
Why Explore? Highlights from Space Week!
Exploration is in our nature. We began as wanderers, and we are wanderers still. We have lingered long enough on the shores of the cosmic ocean. We are ready at last to set sail for the stars. - Carl Sagan This past week, our Editorial Team put our focus on the Moon and the stars, the Read More...
This smart vase has a screen that shows you how your plant is feeling
Plants are like pets; they can’t talk to you, per se, but they communicate nonetheless. They droop, sprout, and grow in a nonverbal language that almost seems to communicate emotions. For anyone who’s ever wondered, “How does my plant really feel?” finding the answer could get a whole lot Read More...
“To Infinity and Beyond” - The Power of Imagination
Science Fiction, Otherworldly Aspirations & Innovative Teamwork By Kristy Jansen July 20, 2019 was the 50th anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s first small step on another world, and humanity’s symbolic “giant leap” into the future. In the intervening decades, we have learned how to Read More...
Why difficult conversations can be transformative—even without a resolution
In the early 2000s, psychology professor Peter Coleman of Columbia University established The Difficult Conversations Lab to study deeply rooted, complicated and hard-to-solve conflicts. He wanted to understand why conflicts in families, communities, and in the international arena get stuck in a Read More...
Feed your brain by paying attention to the symbolisms of your daily commute
You’ve probably heard the advice to change up your commute now and then as a way to take your brain off of autopilot and give your synapses a little exercise. Here’s another activity that might feed your grey matter: try contemplating the symbolism embedded in the modes of transportation you Read More...
The taming tool: a simple way to help you overcome anxiety
You can’t rewire your brain to stop feeling anxiety at once, but you can use a simple tool to help tame your anxiety once you feel it coming. That simple tool has a fitting name: the taming tool. But before we dive into what the taming tool is, let’s understand anxiety better. Anxiety is a Read More...
Taking a flight out of France in the future? Expect an ecotax starting 2020
Travelers looking to take a flight out of France will be charged an extra little fee starting in 2020. The good news—for the environmentalists— is that the fee is an “ecotax” to help combat the negative effects that the aviation industry has on the climate. The tax will vary depending on Read More...
Next time you need a creativity boost, try playing Minecraft
While video games are mainly a source of entertainment, new research suggests some games can also get your creative juices flowing. In a recent study, researchers from Iowa State University found that video games such as Minecraft may help increase creativity when players are given the freedom to Read More...
Don’t enjoy running? Here are 9 alternative cardio exercises you can do
Running is awesome. It’s a simple, effective form of cardio that offers a whole range of health benefits. It also sucks—depending on who you ask. But if you belong to the camp of people who simply don’t enjoy running, you can still get the benefits of cardio without having to run around the Read More...