Mental Health
Here you can read the latest news and research studies covering mental health. This is also the place to find out about different strategies on how you can reduce stress and boost happiness, and many other ways to look after your mental wellbeing.
Your heart's secret signals: What HRV tells you about your health
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Wearable health tech has made it easier than ever to track our well-being, from step counts to sleep scores. However, there is one metric that often goes unnoticed: heart rate variability (HRV). If you have seen it pop up on your smartwatch and wondered, Read More...
Can a video game detect Alzheimer's early? Scientists think so
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM A new video game is changing the way people think about cognitive health. The Mind Guardian, a free app designed to detect early signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia, recently flagged 73-year-old Paz Rey Duarte as “at risk” for cognitive impairment. Though Read More...
Why venting makes anger worse – and what actually helps
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM When anger flares up, many of us turn to venting—whether it is ranting to a friend, punching a pillow, or even visiting a “rage room” to smash objects. The idea is that expressing anger will help release it, much like letting steam escape from a Read More...
New British bereavement leave rights for miscarriage
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM British parents are set to gain the right to two weeks of bereavement leave after experiencing a miscarriage, thanks to a significant amendment in Labour’s employment rights bill. The new law, which extends to England, Wales, and Scotland, will cover Read More...
Unraveling the layers and complexity of the great force of hate
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Hate—what a loaded term, full of tremendous emotions and complicated connotations. But have you ever paused to consider what lies beneath the surface when we casually use the word "hate"? Let's take an excursion into the web of human emotions, shining light Read More...
How to adjust to daylight saving time without losing sleep
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM For many Americans, the start of daylight saving time is more than just an inconvenience—it’s a genuine struggle. This sentiment is echoed by sleep researchers who warn that the "spring forward" time change can be hard on our health. Studies have shown Read More...
Thriving in uncertainty: science-backed ways to build resilience
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a world increasingly defined by unpredictability, many of us would rather accept a negative outcome than face the fear of the unknown. A 2006 study published in The Quarterly Journal of Economics revealed that most people would choose a guaranteed but less Read More...
Coping with the fear of flying: tips for staying calm when headlines are scary
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM With a surge in news headlines about plane crashes in early 2025, it is no surprise that more people are feeling uneasy about air travel. "Many people are experiencing heightened anxiety around air travel since hearing recent news," says Rebecca Skolnick, Read More...
How to build a midday wellness routine
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Every day it happens like clockwork. Around 3 p.m., energy levels dip, focus starts to wane, and even the simplest tasks seem twice as difficult. Thoughts become scattered, motivation takes a nosedive, and that once-productive morning feels like a distant Read More...
How to overcome the fear of being left out and build stronger connections
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM We’ve all been there. You open your phone, casually scroll through social media, and suddenly—there it is. A photo, a video, or a post showing your friends at an event you weren’t invited to. Your heart sinks, and a flood of emotions rushes in: Read More...