Cultivating optimism isn’t always easy, but there is something profoundly liberating about choosing to orient toward joy, despite any obstacles that may stand in the way. In that spirit, Nice News is kicking off 2026 with a list of things to look forward to. From global sporting extravaganzas like the Winter Olympics and the FIFA […]
When people use hand gestures that visually represent what they’re saying, listeners see them as more clear, competent and persuasive. That’s the key finding from my new research published in the Journal of Marketing Research, where I analyzed thousands of TED Talks and ran controlled experiments to examine how gestures shape communication.
People Who Talk With Their Hands Seem More Clear and Persuasive — New Research Continue Reading »
Better sleep. Protection against anxiety and depression. Lower risks of heart disease and dementia. A longer life. According to a wealth of research in the field of behavioral medicine, these are just some of the well-being boosts associated with having a sense of purpose. Are you in possession of this powerful elixir for living well?
For many families in Los Angeles County’s Altadena neighborhood, Christmas will look different this year. The Eaton Fire tore through the area in January, destroying nearly 9,500 buildings — including homes and churches. But as residents continue rebuilding their lives, a cherished, 105-year-old holiday tradition has emerged unscathed. Christmas Tree Lane is a magical stretch
The idea began in California’s Sierra Nevada, a towering spine of rock and ice where rising temperatures and the decline of snowpack are transforming ecosystems, sometimes with catastrophic consequences for wildlife. The prairie-doglike Belding’s ground squirrel (Urocitellus beldingi) had been struggling there as the mountain meadows it relies on dry out in years with less snowmelt and more unpredictable weather. At lower elevations, the foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) was also being hit hard by rising temperatures, because it needs cool, shaded streams to breed and survive.
When A. A. Milne published his first Winnie the Pooh book nearly a century ago, the author couldn’t have predicted that his stories of adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood would be a fixture in childhoods for decades to come. And now, the beloved fictional teddy bear is reaching a major milestone: centenarian status. Pooh
100 Years of Winnie the Pooh: A Look Back at the Beloved Bear’s History Continue Reading »
One might assume that a community centered on consuming and spreading positivity is also a particularly generous one. But now we have the numbers to back that up: In 2025, Nice News readers collectively donated $46,157 across four different fundraisers. Yes, that’s your cue to pat yourself on the back. These four fundraisers — one
It rings in our ears every New Year’s, yet somehow “Auld Lang Syne” never feels overplayed. Now, however, the question of whether auld acquaintance should be forgot is not just a thought-provoking lyric but a timely issue, as volunteers strive to save the historic Scottish farm where poet Robert Burns wrote down the words to
As much as the winter holidays are about celebration and coming together with family and friends, they’re also the perfect time to pause and reflect on the past 12 months. This often comes in the form of New Year’s resolutions, or identifying what you’d like to do better next year. But in true Nice News
What Went Right in 2025: Our Favorite Good News From This Year Continue Reading »
In some instances, a deep emotional loss — like the death of a loved one — can result in a temporary condition called broken heart syndrome. Now, there’s more evidence to suggest that the opposite may also be true: Strong and supportive relationships can help improve heart health for people with cardiovascular disease.
Love Can Help Heal a Damaged Heart, New Review Suggests Continue Reading »
