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.
The birth of the banjo— part III of True American, a mini-series
The banjo, widely considered a quintessential symbol of the United States (along with square dancing), is an instrument that tends to conjure up images of white rural life in the Appalachian mountains, or memories of the dueling banjos from the 1972 film "Deliverance" or TV shows like "The Beverly Read More...
5 simple yet profound ways to make the world a better place today
The word activism can bring up images of aggression and vehemence, but it turns out that activism can be practiced in gentle ways, too. Here are five simple yet radical things anyone can do in their day-to-day lives to make the world a better place. Find joy These days, the simple act of being Read More...
Struggling to cut down on sugar? These 4 strategies are sure to help
Are you trying to prioritize your health by committing to a more nutrient-dense diet but, like many others, feel “hooked” on sugar? At times, and especially in the beginning, it may appear impossible to eliminate your sugar cravings. However, with a few helpful strategies, it is possible to eat Read More...
Study shows: if we biked like the Dutch, global emissions would drop dramatically
A new study from researchers at the University of Southern Denmark has determined what we already knew— cycling is much better for the environment than driving conventional internal combustion vehicles. The study took a look at the bike-loving Dutch, and quantified just how much global carbon Read More...
Queens is soon to rule in the world of composting!
Starting in early October of this year, Queens, New York will proudly be running the nation’s grandest composting program. The 2.2 million New Yorkers living in Queens will have a weekly pickup service for organic waste. This means that yard debris and food scraps, and food-soiled paper Read More...
The square dancers of today—part II of True American, a mini-series
Last Friday we shared the fascinating history of the square dance in the United States of America. Together, we traced back how it became an emblem of American society that forced so many school kids to endure the often awkward square dancing lessons. Do-si-do anyone? We also discussed the Read More...
Inflation is real! Here are 10 tips to save on groceries as prices go up
As the cost of living continues to soar, many of us are left staring hard at grocery store shelves and willing (in vain) for prices to magically drop. Yes, we’re all feeling the effects of inflation at the moment, especially while trying to cross items off our shopping lists considering that Read More...
Why you should fill your cart with ugly watermelons
When it comes to picking produce at our local market or grocery store, many of us are… well… shallow. We tend to fill our carts with only the prettiest, most visually appealing fruits and veggies. This practice leads to unnecessary food waste, and leaves quite a lot to be desired. We're Read More...
Mathematicians can make traffic jams history—all we have to do is listen to them
It may be difficult to find things that we all agree on—but we’re confident that everyone will agree on this: traffic jams suck! What makes traffic even more irritating is that, according to traffic flow experts, most of the congestion on the road is completely unnecessary. According to Read More...
The history of square dancing in America—part I of True American
The Optimist Daily is taking a journey into ideas and symbols that shape the world with our our mini-series True American. Our first episode explores what many consider a cornerstone of American culture: Square dancing. Square dancing, contrary to popular belief, is not just a “Southern Read More...