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.
5 scientific ways to make yourself smarter
About a decade ago, some early scientific research suggested that playing memory games could increase "fluid intelligence," which is--the capacity to solve problems in novel situations, independent of acquired knowledge. A spate of apps, books and classes resulted, all claiming to make people Read More...
4 daily habits that lead to success
Can making your bed in the morning and keeping a to-do list get you closer to the life you want to lead? Sociologist Dr. Randall Bell, author of the upcoming book Rich Habits Rich Life: The Four Cornerstones of All Great Pursuits, says yes. Bell argues that there’s a direct link between daily Read More...
Colorado pushes for universal health care that’s governed by the people
First pot, now health. In November 2012, Colorado voters approved a ballot initiative that made recreational use of marijunana legal, despite a federal ban. In November of next year, the state will have the opportunity to lead the way again—this time, by opting out of Obamacare and replacing Read More...
How to find a job with meditation and mindfulness
In her first month of attending Ziva Meditation on 38th Street, the trend forecaster met Noël Rohayem, a clothing designer whom she later helped to find a new job. That led to a partnership, forged last summer, for which the two are creating a made-to-fit clothing line that will be introduced next Read More...
Afternoon naps are key to boosting learning power
A good nap could be the key to improving learning for students and children, according to new research. A team of scientists from the University of Geneva in Switzerland shows that napping can boost the consolidation of learning that is linked to rewards. Receiving rewards as we learn can help Read More...
An Israeli cafe is giving discounts to Jews and Arabs who eat together
A restaurant owner in Israel is trying to bring a bit of a peace—one dollop of hummus at a time—to a country where violence between Israelis and Palestinians has surged in recent weeks. “50 percent discount on hummus to a table where Arabs and Jews sit together,” wrote Kobi Read More...
How mindfulness improves sleep
Work can be stressful. A new study suggests that even short meditation training can can reduce stress and improve sleep quality. From the pressures of tight deadlines to anxiety about job security, the stresses of the workplace take their toll far beyond the office, infiltrating our relationships, Read More...
How to design a ToDo list to sync productivity with happiness
What is productivity? Number of tasks you finish per hour or, the impact you produce by finishing a task? “You don’t keep TODO’s to do more work every day; but to prevent yourself from cluelessness.” Most of you will go with the later one, which is true as well, however does Read More...
Stress relief can slash your healthcare costs by 43%
Stress-related problems are the third highest healthcare expenditure in the US. A little stress relief, however, can go a long way in changing that. In a study done at the Massachusetts General Hospital, a large group of people attended an eight-week relaxation and resiliency program, for which Read More...
The technology behind Bitcoin could change the financial industry for the better
The technology that backs the cryptocurrency Bitcoin is being hailed for its potential to fix the modern world of finance. Digital ledger technology, known as the blockchain, allows people or financial institutions to instantly make transactions without any intermediary. Additionally, these Read More...