The Optimist Living
Ashwagandha: The natural stress reducer
Looking for a natural way to protect the body against the effects of stress? Perhaps you should try ashwagandha, a shrub that modifies cortisol levels and can have a balancing effect on glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. What this all means is that it helps to keep you calm and Read More...
Science: Lifting weights twice a week keeps your brain young
This is an interesting correlation: Bigger muscles lead to a bigger, healthier and younger brain. The research was focused on preventing cognitive decline and the development of dementia in older adults. It followed 100 people aged 55 to 86 as they pursued a specific fitness regime, measuring the Read More...
5 science-backed practices to build resilience in times of setbacks
One in two Americans feels frustrated after an election that sharply divided the country. So how do you deal with frustrations and setbacks. Even for the relatively self-aware and emotionally adept, struggles can take us by surprise. We all face adversity from time to time, but what’s most Read More...
How to be a better forgiver
The past 12 months have seen more than their fair share of tragedy and injustice: violence between citizens and police, terror attacks, divisive elections. With so much pain and suffering caused, the question is: can we change our ways to resolve this anger and trauma? The answer is "yes", but it Read More...
The myth of the 8 glasses a day: You don’t need to drink so much water
Dehydration is perceived to be a major threat to your health. It’s not. There’s a perfect system that will tell you when you need to drink. It’s called thirst. The famous eight glasses a day come from a misinterpreted guideline. And coffee and tea are not Read More...
A guide to replacing sugar with natural sweeteners
Sugar is one of the worst enemies of your health. And artificial sweeteners are not a solution as they are linked to many diseases from depression to cancer. But if you don't want to cut the sweet experience from your diet, there are healthier choices. Here’s a guide to replacing sugar with Read More...
Rollerblading and 9 other activities that best burn calories, according to science
What's the best way to burn the most calories? The Mayo Clinic, drawing on research published by the National Institutes of Health, created a list. Here’s the top, with approximate calories burned per hour for a 200-pound person listed for each Read More...
A bit of competition is the best motivation for regular exercise, says science
A new study shows that a bit of competition works best if you want to motivate yourself to exercise regularly. 800 graduate and professional students were put through an 11- week exercise program with running, spinning, yoga, Pilates and weightlifting classes. Each person was assigned to work Read More...
Bringing wind energy at the price of an iPhone to the poor in developing world
When it comes to bringing electricity to the poor in the developing world, solar panels lead. But there are places where solar doesn’t work so well and where there’s abundant wind. However, wind energy requires expensive turbines that poor people cannot afford. Arun and Anoop George from Kerala Read More...
7 TED talks with inspiration for reducing the stress in your life
This is a nice list with diverse options for finding peace in your hectic life. First of all: Not all stress is bad; a little stress is actually good for you. Meditation works for many, or walking on the beach or reading a good book. Yet, others want to listen to wise words. Here’s a good Read More...