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.
Radical ideas to tackle income inequality
Income inequality is one of the most urgent issues of our time. Pope Francis has called it "the root of all social evil." President Obama called it the "defining challenge of our time." As the top 1% continues to get richer and wages for lower classes remain stagnant, it's time to ask, What can be Read More...
Germany's intrepid refugee helpers
It all began when she was on a trip to northern France and stopped at "The Jungle" refugee camp in Calais and started up a conversation with a man who had fled from Eritrea. "I realised I am here by car and I have the possibility to take someone along - and he doesn't have any other options," the Read More...
University for refugees launches crowdfunding campaign
Kiron University looking to raise money to offer free education to refugees An online university for refugees has launched a crowdfunding campaign to provide free higher education for individuals who have suffered persecution in their home countries. Kiron University, a social enterprise company Read More...
These Belgian streets became car-free zones this summer, and people loved it
The city of Ghent in Belgium became one big urban laboratory this summer when 16 streets closed down for car traffic. The city residents from these streets were free to decide what they wanted to do with the newly freed up space. Their streets turned into parks, with plenty of playground for Read More...
10,000 refugees reach Munich and are greeted with food and water
Sophie Hardach reports from Germany's 'turnstile city' on the tumultuous welcome Some recounted their horrors. Others silently clutched their children, deaf to the cheers and applause from German bystanders. The youngest of the refugees to arrive in Munich was a baby girl – part of her Read More...
UK Labour leader: taxpayers should be able to opt out funding army
Jeremy Corbyn is under fire after it emerged he said taxpayers should be allowed to opt out of funding the Armed Forces. The Labour leadership front-runner suggested voters should be able to act with their 'conscience' and not have their taxes spent on defence – a stance described by a former Read More...
Dallas next city to house the homeless and save taxpayers money
Dallas is the latest city to join a growing group of urban local governments trying to find housing for chronically homeless residents. Fifty homeless residents in Dallas will soon move into small cottages in a neighborhood complex, with a lot of green recreational space. Research has shown Read More...
Happiness is healthy, but you have to work for it
Happiness feels good, but guess what: It’s also good for you. The transcript of a radio interview of Sanjay Gupta, MD with Amit Sood, MD, Chair, Mind-Body Medicine Initiative, Mayo Clinic. According to Dr. Sood hundreds of studies have established that people who are happier are also Read More...
Strict state gun laws could cut suicides, study says
State laws that restrict access to guns could reduce the rate of firearm-related suicide, according to new research. Researchers examined suicide rates in Connecticut and Missouri, two states that changed their permit-to-purchase handgun laws in recent decades. Connecticut passed a law in 1995 that Read More...
Europeans open their houses and welcome refugees
The news about the migrant crisis in Europe is saddening and overwhelming. Desperate, broke and without a home, more refugees than ever since World War II are searching for a better life. While some politicians are suggesting to construct “walls” to prevent refugees from entering, Europeans Read More...