Every summer, a pond at Rusted Plowshare farm used to fill with algae blooms. Orderly rows of corn and soybeans stretched out across the central Missouri landscape, but native grasses and wildflowers were few and far between. Josh Payne, who worked on the farm with his grandfather until he took over the running of it in 2020, says there hadn’t been a quail sighting in 40 years. But that was before the chestnut trees. In 2017 Payne planted 20 acres of chestnut saplings, growing commodity crops in wide rows between the trees. A few years later, the farm stopped growing corn and soy entirely, instead switching to raising sheep around what has become 200 acres of chestnut trees today. The pond now stays clear. “There’s just a lot more diverse life here,” says Payne. “A lot of the things that don’t really have a place in the corn and soy scenario are coming back.” The post Midwest Farms Are Going Nuts appeared first on Reasons to be Cheerful.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Most of us know the feeling of standing in front of a painting that makes us pause. Maybe it’s a burst of color that lifts our mood or a quiet scene that steadies the mind. Either way, a new study from King’s College London suggests that these moments are doing far more than sparking emotion. Researchers have found measurable evidence that viewing original art can support both mental health and long-term physical well-being. Their findings point to something powerful: spending even a short amount of time with original artworks may reduce stress, improve emotional balance, and potentially contribute to a longer, healthier life. And the best part is that you do not need to be an art expert to benefit. What the study actually measured To explore the connection between art and health, researchers invited fifty healthy adults between the ages of eighteen and forty to take part in an experiment. One group visited The Courtauld Gallery in London, where they viewed original masterpieces by artists including Vincent van Gogh and Édouard Manet. A second group viewed high-quality reproductions in a non-gallery setting. Participants wore sensors that tracked heart rate, skin temperature, and other subtle responses. They also provided saliva samples before and after the experience so researchers could measure changes in stress and inflammation. The results were striking: Cortisol, better known as the body’s primary stress hormone, fell by 22 percent among gallery visitors. Those who saw reproductions saw only an eight percent drop. Pro-inflammatory cytokines decreased by 30 percent in the gallery group and 28 percent in the reproduction group. Gallery visitors also showed signs of emotional engagement, including small drops in skin temperature and variation in heart-rate patterns. These shifts matter because high cortisol and inflammation are linked to chronic conditions such as anxiety, heart disease, and diabetes. In other words, your quiet moment with an original painting could be supporting your long-term health in ways you cannot feel immediately. Why original art matters even more Although both groups experienced some positive changes, the impact was stronger for those who viewed original artworks. Researchers believe that the immersive environment of a gallery adds layers of sensory experience with elements that highlight space, scale, texture, and atmosphere. These aspects work together to deepen the body’s response. Importantly, the researchers emphasized that the benefits appeared regardless of art knowledge or emotional intelligence. You do not need to understand an artist’s entire catalog or even consider yourself an “art person” to gain something meaningful. A simple, accessible step toward wellbeing The implications of this study reach beyond museum walls. These findings help pave the way for broader integration of art and wellbeing, offering a low-cost and accessible option for reducing loneliness, easing depression, and improving life satisfaction. And while art may not replace clinical care, it can be a gentle, joyful tool to add to your wellness routine. The next time you find yourself lingering in front of a painting, know that your body is responding in ways that support you; calming, stimulating, and restoring at the same time.The post Why art gallery visits may be one of the healthiest habits you can build first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Scotland took its next step toward reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, releasing a sweeping draft climate action plan that outlines how the country intends to reduce emissions across transportation, energy, agriculture, and land use over the next two decades. While supporters see the plan as a reaffirmation of Scotland’s climate leadership, critics argue that more detail and clearer commitments are urgently needed. A renewed push for climate progress Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin stressed the urgency of the moment when presenting the draft plan to the Scottish Parliament. She noted that Scotland is already experiencing the impacts of global warming, including flooding, heatwaves, and wildfires. “Parliament has to act,” she said, pointing to what she described as Scotland’s “massive untapped potential” in renewable energy. The strategy spans the period through 2040, five years before Scotland pledged to effectively eliminate greenhouse gas emissions. It reaffirms a major shift away from fossil fuels: phasing out the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 and transitioning homes and commercial buildings to low-carbon heat systems by 2045. Transforming how Scotland heats and moves One of the largest pieces of the plan focuses on how people heat their homes. The government proposes requiring non-domestic buildings to connect to expanded low-carbon district heating networks, and encourages homeowners to shift away from oil and gas boilers. Transportation remains a major area of change, too. The government plans to offer incentives that make electric vehicles more accessible to drivers and expand infrastructure to support them. The strategy also pledges to increase Scotland’s woodland planting to 18,000 hectares annually by 2029-30. Restoring landscapes to balance emissions Agriculture remains Scotland’s third-largest source of emissions, and earlier recommendations suggested that reducing cattle numbers would be necessary to meet targets. However, the government has committed to maintaining livestock levels. To help balance this, the plan calls for accelerated peatland restoration. Much of Scotland’s peatlands are in degraded condition and release carbon rather than store it. The government aims to restore roughly one-fifth of these areas (about 400,000 hectares) by 2032. This will require significant long-term investment and planning. These measures are combined with faster decarbonisation of fuel supplies, including expanding wind and solar generation. Martin emphasized the need for a “just transition” that supports oil and gas workers as the economy shifts toward green industries. A costly plan with long-term benefits The government estimates that implementing the plan will cost £4.8 billion (roughly $6.3 billion) between 2026 and 2040. However, it projects that the benefits, which include job creation, lower emissions, and warmer homes, could total more than £42 billion (roughly $55.3 billion). Critics call for clearer details Parties across the political spectrum have responded with skepticism. Scottish Conservative spokesperson Douglas Lumsden argued that the plan “rehashes existing policies” and does not address concerns about the costs of transitioning to electric vehicles and heat pumps. Labour MSP Sarah Boyack called for more robust plans to retrofit homes and help local authorities build green jobs. Green MSP Patrick Harvie said the government is “years behind” on climate action and criticized what he sees as a lack of clarity on fossil fuel extraction. Environmental groups also raised concerns. Friends of the Earth Scotland said the plan would “barely scratch the surface” of what is needed to support households, improve public transit access, and provide security for workers in transitioning industries. A nation navigating competing pressures Scotland has already reduced its emissions by more than 50 percent since 1990. However, the government has struggled to meet annual and interim targets, and recently shifted to a system of five-year carbon budgets instead. The plan’s success now hinges on how it is implemented. A public consultation is open until 29 January, after which the strategy will return to parliament for approval. The challenge lies in balancing economic realities, political pressures, and the scale of climate change itself. As Martin noted, Scotland has the resources to reshape its energy future, but doing so will require coordination, community support, and long-term commitment.The post Scotland lays out new road map to reach net zero by 2045 first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

A pet dog was left “remarkably unscathed” after plunging 100ft down a rocky cliff face in Scotland. The two-year-old Collie named Whisp fell down the cliffs of the Northmavine peninsula in Shetland on Thursday morning. Unfortunately, Whisp landed half way down the rocky ledge so that his owner was unable to reach him safely. At […] The post Dog ‘Remarkably Unscathed’ After Plunging 100ft Down Cliff Face After a Team Rescue appeared first on Good News Network.

Living a frugal life is all about saving money. Frugal people pay attention to how much they spend on pretty much everything they buy. But even penny pinchers know that for quality, life-improving items, certain things are worth splurging on.On a Reddit thread of frugal people, member WildRootKitchen posed the following question to fellow frugal shoppers: "What’s one thing you splurge on that’s worth every penny?"Frugal people spilled on the things they don't mind dropping money on. These are 35 splurges frugal people say are worth "every penny." Celebrate Parks And Rec GIF Giphy "For me, it’s a solid pair of boots and a good mattress. If my feet and back are shot, the whole day’s downhill from there. I’ll eat leftovers and skip takeout all week if it means I’m sleeping right and walking easy. Also decent coffee and laundry service are creeping up the list too." —WildRootKitchen"Air conditioning. I make money so I can be comfortable, not be uncomfortable so I can save money." —strwbrymocha"AC/Heat, always. I’ll never bat an eye at a higher utility bill so long as my sleep goes uninterrupted." —MediumBullfrog8688"A house cleaner. Maybe that doesn’t sound frugal, but for the mental health benefits I get from knowing every two weeks I will come home to a spotless house, it’s something I will continue to prioritize over many other expenses." —mzmonarda - YouTube www.youtube.com "Gym membership, mattress and pillow, running shoes, quality ingredients from supermarket." —LoudSilence16"I have a method for splurges on unfamiliar items. I'll buy a tool from harbor freight or a cheap version of something I'm interested in to see if I actually need the item or if I'm interested in it. If I use it a bunch and it breaks, then I splurge on a high quality version. If it just sits somewhere either because I didn't need it as much as I thought or I wasn't as interested as I thought, then I'm only out a few bucks. Example: I really enjoy cooking, I wanted to learn how to make sausage. I bought a cheap sausage stuffer on amazon for like $30. I used the hell out of it and it broke broke a couple years later. I did some research and bought a LEM 5lbs sausage stuffer that was like $120 and now I have a high quality piece of equipment that works WAY better than my POS amazon stuffer and it will likely outlive my great grandchildren. Also, name brand hardware like faucets. Learned my lesson from buying cheap faucets. Now I'll just buy Moen." —40ozT0Freedom"Darn Tough Socks." —gregarious119"Smartwool for me." —Natural-Run9072 Socks GIF Giphy "I live in rural South Carolina. It’s worth it to me to pay for quarterly pest control service from a professional. There are a lot of insects, rodents, reptiles, etc." —snarkker"Vacations." —Proud_Trainer_1234"An ergonomic desk chair. Back pain is no joke. I only wish I had done it much sooner. Not 20 years into my desk job. At least I should have another 20 years with a good chair and no back pain. I spent $700 on my chair and it was worth every penny. The frugal me shopped around but this was the cheapest one I could find new, some outlets were selling the exact same chair for over $800. 10 year warranty on the chair was a nice bonus too. My husband found the exact same chair secondhand for $100 so now we match. His doesn't have a 10 year warranty but that's OK for $100." —Bunnyeatsdesign"Buy a second pair of good boots and rotate them. Letting the leather air out a day before wearing the shoes again really help extend their life. I have two cats. I feed them the best grain-free food they will eat. Not only does this extend their life span, the daily litter box collections are much smaller than if they get grain." —Childless_Catlady42 Alfred Hitchcock Workout GIF Giphy "I tend to indulge myself when it comes to exercise stuff. The gym classes that I'll actually go to, the races, the equipment, the good clothes & shoes. I know that everyone talks about a good mattress for their back, but for me, no mattress is as effective as yoga and weight lifting. As long as I keep my core strong, I don't have back spasms. And running has been amazing for my mental health along with physical, and helped me make some amazing friends. Totally worth every penny." —kaizenkitten"I dedicate a decent portion of my budget to 'self care'. Think massages, pedicures, manicures. It’s the one thing I forward to it every month, as it’s some of the only downtime I have right now." —YesChef__"Professional Movers. Stop asking your friends ( especially over 30) to help you move! It’s not worth a six pack of beer and some pizza." —1tiredmommy First Class GIF by Slice Giphy "Business class/first class -- never once have I regretted it. We live reasonably the rest of the time, but when it comes time to travel, this is an indulgence that we grant ourselves." —Weekly_Leg_2457"Just here in case nobody said tattoos yet. Good work ain’t cheap & cheap work ain’t good." —Clear_Beat5117"Reverse osmosis filter. Makes tap water taste good again." —wonminus1"Ethical meat. I feel better about eating it, I’m supporting local farmers, and the taste and quality blows supermarket meat out of the water. At this point, I am perfectly happy only eating meat a few times a week (my husband and I are both former vegetarians) and making sure that when we do eat it, it comes from animals who only had one bad day. (This goes for eggs, too - pasture raised/certified humane whenever it’s available. We don’t eat much dairy for health and animal welfare reasons.)" —dzwonzie Fly Rotate GIF by Ilves Motors Giphy "Tires too." —Pessimistic_Penguin2"I'm frugal to the max most of the time, but come spring I spend money on flowers, shrubs, things for gardening. That's my guilty pleasure. I listen to audiobooks from my library. I haven't watched tv in years because trying to get local channels is impossible. So no streaming service, no cable, but I'm content. I can splurge without feeling guilty like I've saved up for it." —Garden_Lady2"Furniture. Well made, excellent cushions, materials…both indoor and out." —ildadof3"Ice cream." —Clutcha15