Shows / Life Kit: Health
Life Kit: Health
Taking care of yourself shouldn't be complicated. We talk to the experts for practical advice to live a long and healthy life, based on science. Updated every time Life Kit posts an episode on health and wellness.
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Episodes
- Life Kit: Health
It's tick season. Here's how to protect yourself.
More than 31 million people in the United States get bitten by ticks each year, and some of those ticks carry diseases such as Lyme disease, according to the…
Life Kit: HealthYour pelvic floor is essential. Here's how to take better care of it
Your pelvic floor helps with all sorts of bodily functions — it helps you go to the bathroom, breathe, and orgasm, and it supports your internal organs. But…
Life Kit: Health5 essential water skills to know this summer
Knowing how to swim can help you have fun at the pool or beach this summer. But it could also save your life. Here are some tips to start swimming if you never…
Life Kit: HealthHere's why your feet hurt — and what you can do about it
If you're struggling with foot pain from bunions, Achilles tendinitis or plantar fasciitis, it might be time to reevaluate your foot care routine. In this…
Life Kit: HealthWhat to eat for better sleep
Your diet affects your sleep. What foods can help you be your most rested self? Nutrition scientist and researcher Marie-Pierre St-Onge has research-backed…
Life Kit: Health5 simple ways to minimize stress
Need a break? Dr. Aditi Nerurkar, author of The 5 Resets, offers quick, easy ways to minimize stress in your daily life — no lavish vacations or big life…
Life Kit: HealthHow to relieve constipation
Haven't pooped in days? Gastroenterologists explain what to do in this SOS moment — and share tips on how to avoid chronic constipation. This episode was…
- Life Kit: Health
Over-the-counter pain medications 101
Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin — there are many over-the-counter pain medications available, but are they all the same? And how much should you really…
Life Kit: HealthCar safety 101: Crashes, road rage, weather and more
You might know the basics of car safety, like buckling your seatbelt or using your turn signal. But what do you do in car emergencies? This episode, Hector…
Life Kit: HealthHow to maintain an exercise routine as you age
It's important to exercise as we age. Regular movement can help not just with cardiovascular health and maintaining muscle mass — it can also foster community…
Life Kit: HealthWhat's in your lotion? A guide to personal care product safety
It's easy to get overwhelmed by long ingredient lists when it comes to personal care products like shampoo, makeup and lotion. Which substances could be…
Life Kit: HealthThe benefits of a plant-based diet on your gut
A recent study found that one key to gut health is eating a wide variety of plants. In this episode, we talk about the research with NPR's Maria Godoy and…
- Life Kit: Health
The science behind the FDA ban on food dye Red No. 3
Last month, the Food and Drug Administration announced it is banning Red No. 3, a food dye additive in processed foods like sodas, sweets and snacks. Recently…
Life Kit: HealthHow to recover after a workout
It's normal to feel some pain or soreness after a workout. But how much is too much, and more importantly, how do you get relief? This episode, build out your…
Life Kit: HealthHow to improve your posture
Posture doesn't mean standing up straight or gliding across a room with a book on your head. This episode, a physical therapist and a biomechanist break down…
Life Kit: HealthWhat you need to know about cardio
Cardio — exercise that gets your heart rate up — can support good health in many ways. It can help prevent heart disease, increase your energy levels, decrease…
Life Kit: HealthStressed? Try one of these quick resets
Whether your stress manifests in your mind, body or behavior (or maybe all three) there are ways to find relief quickly. Clinical psychologist Jenny Taitz…
Life Kit: HealthHow to move more this year
Looking to be more active in the new year? Here are four expert tips on how to fit movement into your hectic schedule and stay motivated with research-backed…
Life Kit: HealthHow to cut down on drinking
If you want to drink less or give up alcohol completely, it's natural to feel scared or anxious at first. What do you do at parties? What if people think…
Life Kit: HealthHow to optimize your circadian rhythm
New research shows that too much light at night and not enough daylight is taking years off our lives. NPR health correspondent Will Stone has tips to tune up…
Life Kit: HealthWhy you should take a 'fart walk' after a meal
Post-meal walks to release gas, called 'fart walks,' have become popular on social media. NPR health correspondent Maria Godoy says the science is solid on…
Life Kit: HealthHow to thrive, not just survive in winter
Winter is back. The days are shorter, the cold air hurts when breathing in and a warm bed seems more appealing than the outdoors. For some, remaining active…
Life Kit: HealthIt's ok to run slow AF
Martinus Evans, author of Slow AF Run Club, explains what running is and what it isn't — and why anyone who wants to run can run. And for people interested in…
Life Kit: HealthWhat people get wrong about hangovers
Do you feel anxious after a night drinking? Two doctors weigh in on how to treat hangover symptoms especially 'hangxiety' after drinking too much. Plus the…
Life Kit: HealthHow long do leftovers last? And other food safety questions, answered
Did you grow up in a household where food was left out all day? Do you wash chicken before cooking it? If so, you might need this refresher course on food…
Life Kit: HealthHow to pick the right health insurance plan
Picking a health insurance plan can be confusing and frustrating. There are endless acronyms and it's hard to predict what your health needs will be in six…
Life Kit: HealthBusting myths about hydration
Do you really need to drink eight glasses of water a day? Can drinking water help you lose weight? Does coffee dehydrate you? Experts explain the science of…
Life Kit: HealthHow to recover from a bad night of sleep
If you've slept poorly, your instinct might be to sleep in or power through the day with extra cups of coffee. But those tactics may actually hurt your chances…
Life Kit: HealthHow to slow down when you eat
Eating more deliberately can help you make better choices about nourishing your body, says Lilian Cheung, a mindful eating lecturer at Harvard. She shares how…
Life Kit: HealthA guide to breast cancer screening
Although breast cancer deaths have dropped by about 40% since 1989, breast cancer diagnoses in younger women are increasing. We'll help you understand your…
Life Kit: HealthHow to cut ultra-processed foods from your diet
They're tasty and cheap, but they come with health risks. NPR health correspondent Maria Godoy explains how to spot and avoid ultra-processed snacks and…
Life Kit: HealthHow to deal with climate anxiety
It's hard to stay motivated in the face of threats like climate change — especially when it feels like you're the only one who cares. But a new course from the…
Life Kit: HealthI ditched plastic for a week. Here's what I learned
Plastic isn't great for your health or the planet. Here's what NPR's Claire Murashima learned from avoiding single-use plastics for a week. See pcm.adswizz.com…
Life Kit: HealthThe dirt on bathing
Whether you're Team Bath or Team Shower, there are some best practices to follow when it comes to cleaning your body. In this episode, dermatologists Sonia…
Life Kit: HealthCan magnesium help you sleep?
TikTok users claim that drinking the "sleepy girl mocktail," a mixture of magnesium powder, tart cherry juice and other ingredients, can help you sleep. But…
Life Kit: HealthBoost your mood in 15 minutes
Sometimes you're just feeling blah: the weather's bad, you can't get out of bed and you're struggling to shake off that listlessness. In these moments, the…
Life Kit: HealthBuild strength with a weightlifting routine
Strong muscles are good for us. They help prevent injuries, strengthen bones and improve balance. But it can be hard to build muscle mass if you're intimidated…
Life Kit: HealthTake your salads from drab to fab
We could all be eating more vegetables. One fast way to do that: toss them in a salad. To make a crave-worthy salad you'll actually want to eat, don't be…
Life Kit: HealthAvoid these 6 sunscreen mistakes
Making sure you're protected from the summer sun starts with a good sunscreen. But how do you know which sunscreen is best, how much to use or when to reapply?…
Life Kit: HealthBMI is flawed. Try a body composition test
For decades, health experts have relied on body mass index (BMI), a ratio of weight to height, to classify people as underweight, normal weight, overweight or…
Life Kit: HealthDebunking sleep myths
There are a lot of misconceptions about sleep. Sleep scientist Rebecca Robbins and her colleagues looked into common myths about sleep to help everyone get a…
Life Kit: HealthStaying safe in the extreme heat
The summer's first major heat wave has arrived. Our bodies do have natural ways to dissipate heat, but when temperatures get extreme, sometimes they just can't…
Life Kit: HealthThese water safety tips can save lives
Drowning is the No. 1 cause of death for children ages 1-4 in the United States. To prevent drownings, make sure there's always a designated adult watching the…
Life Kit: HealthWhere did I put the keys? Tips to improve memory
Do you ever feel like your memory lets you down when you need it most? If you forget your keys every time you leave the house, struggle to remember new names…
Life Kit: HealthFiber has tons of benefits. Here's how to eat more of it
Fiber is a dietary superhero. It lowers cholesterol, helps regulate blood sugar levels and keeps your hunger in check. But chances are, you're not getting…
Life Kit: HealthTake charge of your gyno visit
A visit to the gynecologist isn't just an essential part of your health routine. It's an opportunity to ask questions about your reproductive health, from…
Life Kit: HealthJet lag is 'not a choice' — here's what to know
Taylor Swift claimed that "jet lag is a choice" at this year's Super Bowl. Sleep scientists like Jade Wu would like you to know they very much disagree. The…
Life Kit: HealthCurbing needle phobia in adults starts with making shots less painful for kids
Approximately one in four adults has a fear of needles, according to the CDC. Many of those people say the phobia started when they were kids. Researchers…
Life Kit: HealthColorectal cancer rates are on the rise. Here's what to know
In the 1990s, colorectal cancer was the fourth-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Now, it's the first in men and second in women — and rates are rising…
Life Kit: HealthProtect your ears from hearing loss
People of all ages are at risk of noise-induced hearing loss, but few know how to protect against it. This episode, build out your ear care routine with the…
Life Kit: HealthHow to take care of your eyes
Eye health is more than just an annual eye exam. Learn how to protect your eyes from screens, read your prescription and understand what does and does not…
Life Kit: HealthHow much protein do you need?
Our bodies need protein to maintain muscle. That's important because muscle mass peaks in our 30s and then declines. In this episode, tips about understanding…
Life Kit: HealthThoughts on Ozempic from a body-positive doctor
The popular weight loss drug Ozempic makes shedding pounds seem like magic. But the reality is more complicated, says family physician Dr. Mara Gordon. She…
Life Kit: HealthHere's how to take better naps
Naps can offer significant benefits, from emotional regulation to improving memory and athletic performance. But there are right and wrong ways to snooze. A…
Life Kit: Health5 simple ways to minimize stress
Dr. Aditi Nerurkar offers five accessible ways to minimize stress in your daily life — no lavish vacations or big life changes necessary. See pcm.adswizz.com…
Life Kit: HealthImprove your indoor air quality
Want fresher, cleaner air at home? Researchers share practical tips from researchers on how to clean your house (and your air), test your air quality and…
Life Kit: HealthHow to have a healthy relationship with caffeine
Worry you're drinking too much coffee, tea, soda or energy drinks? A gastroenterologist and a caffeine researcher share surprising insights about the…
Life Kit: HealthWhy being uncomfortable is important
The feeling of discomfort has an important role to play. On one hand, it can be a helpful warning sign. On the other hand, too much of it can lead to distress…
Life Kit: HealthYour body is changing. So should your fitness routine
Life happens. Sometimes we get injured or sick — and of course we get older. As we change, so should our exercise routine. Here's how to adapt your fitness…
Life Kit: HealthSoothe your stress in minutes
Whether your stress manifests in your mind, body or behavior (or maybe all three) there are ways to find relief quickly. Clinical psychologist Jenny Taitz…