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.
Fig leaves are out. What to wear to be kind to the planet?
Polyester, one of the most common fibers, is a plastic derived from crude oil. The long fibers that make up polyester thread are woven together to make fabric. Extracting the oil and melting the plastic require energy. Perhaps a bigger concern is what happens when synthetics get into the hands of Read More...
Bitcoin could be a model for making environmentalism more efficient
Magic internet money—also known as cryptocurrency—is at an all-time high. The experts who watch this stuff predict that one bitcoin (the most famous cryptocurrency) will soon be worth $2,000. The big selling point of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin is their use of Read More...
Is mindfulness meditation good for kids? Here’s what the science actually says
First period, 8:45 am, a circle of high school students sits so quietly that all you can hear is the whirl of computer fans. Today’s lesson: attention to breathing. “Just notice your breath,” says the instructor, Satyani McPherson, “where it manifests in the body and the abdomen. ... And Read More...
Black Lives Matter awarded 2017 Sydney peace prize
The human rights movement Black Lives Matter has won this year’s Sydney peace prize. The movement, which was founded in the US by Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi in 2012 after the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the murder of black teenager Trayvon Martin, will be honoured in Read More...
The wisdom of "It's not my fault"
I sometimes think that the most basic truths are the ones that we most regularly forget, and one of them is: If we are turned on ourselves, we cannot love this life. The turning on ourselves contracts us. In those moments, we are disconnected from our inner life and from each other. We move through Read More...
How to invest your money responsibly, sustainably, or for impact
Your Aunt Cynthia has died unexpectedly. Our condolences. In her will, she’s left you $25,000. Now you want to invest it wisely, as in–not just leave it in a checking account that pays next to no interest. Ideally, you want to make a decent return, but you also want to be responsible Read More...
How to be mindful mowing the lawn
“Approach mowing the lawn as an adventure brimming with curiosity and wonder instead of just an ordinary, mundane task. Take time to intentionally make connections with your natural environment as you look at the sun, the earth, trees, the clouds, birds and animals. Notice the shift within you as Read More...
Norwegian bank grants access to bitcoin investments through online banking
Norwegian online bank Skandiabanken now recognizes bitcoin as a new investment class and allows its customers to access their bitcoin holdings through its online banking platform, according to a Norwegian media report. Through an integration of the Coinbase wallet, which enables the buying and Read More...
This startup lets you invest a little money into solving real world problems
A new startup is turning investment dollars into solutions and profits. Unlike mainstream mutual funds, which direct investors’ money towards gun manufacturers and fossil fuel companies, Swell funnels investments towards companies focused on solving major global challenges. Swell rates companies Read More...
Tips on fighting fake news from the people who debunk it for a living
With so much misinformation traversing the internet—sometimes disguised as fact—how can the casual reader spot the fiction? The reality is that spotting a lie isn’t always easy. Even the most trustworthy of news sources can spread false information without even realizing it. To make sure the Read More...