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.
To shrink wealth disparity in America, we need to raise the minimum wage
While there’s much to debate when it comes to the federal minimum wage in America, there’s one fact that is not up for debate: In nearly a decade, the current rate of $7.25 per hour hasn’t changed. And adjusted for inflation, that’s worth less than what the minimum wage delivered people in Read More...
Meet the ‘night minister’ who helps those who need it most in San Francisco
For decades, the Tenderloin has been known as San Francisco’s primary harbor of destitution. More than 4,000 people sleep unsheltered around the area, far more than anywhere else in the city. It’s common to encounter open-air narcotic exchanges, human feces on the sidewalk, and desperate Read More...
How to survive in a room full of strangers
For some of us, there is nothing more intimidating than walking into a room and realizing you don’t know a single soul (we’re looking at you, introverts). For others (hey, extroverts!), this kind of unfamiliarity paired with the opportunity to meet new people is refreshing — even Read More...
Why boredom at work isn’t always so bad for you
No matter how much you love your job, at some point, boredom is bound to sneak into your work. A dull conference presentation numbs the mind in even the most exotic of settings. If you’re an academic, even a famous one, you still will have paperwork - and tedium to deal with. If you work for Uber Read More...
Here’s one simple thing you can do to help spare the seas
Of all the forms of plastic pollution on this planet, the Ocean Conservancy lists cutlery as amongst the “most deadly” to sea turtles, birds, and mammals. And since alternatives to plastic cutlery are not widespread, the solution, for now, is rather straightforward: we should carry our own Read More...
About to give a big speech? Here’s how to succeed under pressure
By now you’ve probably heard it a million times: public speaking is the most common fear amongst people. But with a few changes to your approach to public speaking, you can shake off the nerves that come with speaking before huge crowds and succeed under pressure. Without further ado, here are Read More...
Why public banks hold the key to a successful Green New Deal
Let’s be honest: If we want the Green New Deal to succeed, then America’s banking system is going to make some major changes. The current banking system in the US doesn’t meet the equity or environmental aims of the Green New Deal, and many of the banks we put our money into actually support Read More...
This is how the world’s coldest city celebrates Summer
If you think your home city gets cold, think again. In Yahutsk, the regional capital of Russia’s Republic of Sakha, the winter lows can drop to a bone-chilling -70°F, making it the coldest city in the world. But while the winter temperatures can be brutal, the summers can be quite pleasant, with Read More...
Give your body the boost it needs by adding these 8 seeds to your diet
One of the simplest ways you can boost your gut health and give yourself more natural energy throughout the day is by incorporating more seeds into your diet. Seeds are “little bundles of energy, protein and nutrients” that can be sprinkled, crushed, or pureed into tasty spreads to deliver tons Read More...
To save the Monarch butterfly, grow this plant in your garden
Monarch butterflies need all the help they can get. Eastern Monarch populations have plummeted 90 percent in just the last two decades, and their Western comrades aren’t fairing all too much better. This is partially to blame on the loss of milkweed in America, a perennial flower that serves Read More...