The Weekly Theme
Each week, we feature a new theme of solutions for those passionate about learning in-depth on how we are building a better world!
Research: The power of a single phone call
When you’re having a bad day, does a phone call from a loved one improve your mood and outlook on life? If so, you’re not alone. New research from the University of Texas at Austin shows that a single daily phone call, even from a stranger, can alleviate feelings of depression and anxiety for Read More...
Got hair? Here’s how to donate your locks to those in need
For individuals undergoing cancer treatment or experiencing alopecia, wigs can be a great resource for self-expression and regaining confidence, but a high-quality wig can cost thousands of dollars. Fortunately, there are organizations that accept hair donations to make wigs for those without the Read More...
Sigh of relief: UK will not use bee-harming pesticide after all
Earlier this year, the British government reversed a ban on a bee-harming pesticide called neonicotinoid in order to kill off virus-transmitted aphids that threatened the UK’s sugar beet fields. Environmentalists were obviously not pleased with the reversal of the ban as the government had broken Read More...
Embracing acts of service can boost professional productivity
If you’re finding little motivation at work, feeling uninspired, or just sluggish during daily tasks, you may be suffering from a productivity slump. With limited social contact and the stress of the pandemic, it’s normal to see a lapse in productivity, but embracing acts of service can be a Read More...
This teen’s nonprofit has donated 30,000 pairs of shoes to the homeless
When Lindsay Sobel was 13, she needed a community project to meet the requirements of her Bat Mitzvah. That’s when she came up with the idea of collecting lightly used shoes and donating them to the homeless. Lindsay, who is from Chatsworth, California, started collecting shoes in her own Read More...
How to help people facing winter storms in Texas right now
Millions in Texas are still facing power outages due to severe winter storms. With more storms anticipated this weekend, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) is foreseeing more rolling blackouts meaning more people will continue to live without basic needs all across the state. If Read More...
How Safe Families keeps kids out of the foster care system
Oftentimes kids wind up in foster care systems because their parents lack a basic support system that would allow them to meet their children’s basic needs. To prevent children from ever having to go through the trauma of being separated from their biological parents, an organization called Safe Read More...
Thought Leader Series: Reflections on optimism from an Emissary
We use our Thought Leader Series as an opportunity to amplify the voices of some of the world’s most prominent thinkers and to evaluate more critically the complex topics we cover here at The Optimist Daily. Sometimes we are lucky enough to find great thought leaders within our own Emissary Read More...
Love is Kindness
BY: Summers McKay & Kristy Jansen “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” - Buddha Love is the most curious and powerful of forces. It has the unique ability to both build strong alliances and tear down unnecessary walls. It can Read More...
Find everything you need to support pollinators in your yard right here
We all want to support pollinators, but the best way to do this varies based on where you live. If you live in the US, Xerces Society is a great resource for finding the most impactful pollinator protection tools at your disposal. The organization's Pollinator Conservation Resource Center is Read More...