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: HealthSleep myths, busted
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: HealthHow to start an exercise habit
You don't have to be a marathoner or a gym rat to get meaningful health benefits from exercise. And that sort of "go big or go home" mentality can actually be…
Life Kit: HealthHow to make resolutions you'll keep
Happy New Year! If you want to make a resolution that sticks, the key to success is creating what's known as a SMART goal. This episode outlines how SMART…
Life Kit: HealthReady to get running? A starter guide
Running is a classic form of exercise for a reason. You don't need equipment or a gym membership and it provides cardiovascular benefits. But many people are…
Life Kit: HealthHow to cope with seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
It's getting darker and colder, and there's still a pandemic. Oh, and then there's seasonal affective disorder. Here's how to spot it and what you can do…
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: HealthHow to combat loneliness
1 in 4 adults says they're lonely. The consequences of long-term social disconnection can be dire — everything from an increased risk of heart attacks to…
Life Kit: HealthMake the most of your chilly outdoor workouts
How cold is too cold? What kind of gear should you wear? And how do you stay motivated to workout outside when the weather is dreary? Cold-loving runners and a…
Life Kit: HealthReady to cold plunge? We dive into the science to see if it's worth it
Dipping in cold water is a growing trend. It's not just for the thrill — people who cold plunge say it helps with anxiety, metabolic health and more. But is…
Life Kit: HealthDemystifying your health insurance plan
It's open enrollment season, meaning it's time to pick a health care plan. But it can be confusing to decipher all the acronyms and lingo of health care — so…
Life Kit: HealthHow to save a life with CPR
Every year, more than 350,000 people go into cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting in the United States. CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, can help…
Life Kit: HealthFiber is a dietary superhero. Are you eating enough of it?
NPR's Maria Godoy is a self-proclaimed fiber fanatic. She shares eight ways to add fiber to your diet (munch on popcorn!) and provides a grocery list of…
Life Kit: HealthScarfing down your food? Here's how to slow down and eat more mindfully
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: HealthMeal prep made easy
What's for dinner? It's a question that can lead to overspending on delivery, unhealthy meals and dread. FitMenCook founder Kevin Curry shares meal prep…
Life Kit: HealthProtect your hearing and ears
If you find yourself in loud clubs, concerts or cities, you might be doing more damage to your hearing than you think. People of all ages are at risk for…
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Millennial? Gen Z? It may be time for colorectal cancer screening
Colorectal cancer cases are on the rise among young people. In this episode, we explain the risk, symptoms to look out for and how to get screened. See…
Life Kit: HealthMinimize your back pain while cooking
Many of us will experience back pain at some point in our lives. It might not disappear entirely, but you can find ways to comfortably perform everyday tasks…
Life Kit: HealthBring more play into your life
Play isn't just fun. Researchers argue it can help you adapt to difficult circumstances, collaborate better and problem-solve. We'll help you figure out your…
Life Kit: HealthMake a salad you want to eat
We should all be eating more vegetables. One fast way to do that: toss them in a salad! We'll cover how to make nutritious, affordable, and, most importantly…
Life Kit: HealthWhat to do when you're constipated
We've got a step-by-step guide for that SOS moment when you haven't pooped in days and days. Plus: tips to help you avoid chronic constipation, and a little…
Life Kit: HealthLearning how to swim could save your life. Here's where to start
Knowing how to swim can help you have fun at the pool or beach this summer. But it could also save your life. According to the CDC, an average of 11 people die…
Life Kit: HealthHow to start running in the body you have
Running is a classic form of exercise for a reason. It gets you from point A to point B, you don't need equipment or a gym membership and it provides…
Life Kit: HealthUltra-processed foods are everywhere. Here's how to avoid them
Ultra-processed foods are tasty, cheap and everywhere. But they come with health risks. NPR health correspondent Maria Godoy lays out ways to spot and avoid…
Life Kit: HealthPick the best sunscreen for you
No matter your skin tone, sunscreen keeps your skin safe from harmful UVA and UVB rays. But to use it right, you need to know a few things: What SPF to use…
Life Kit: HealthWhat to do when you're feeling anxious
Anxiety can feel awful and overwhelming. But it can also be a helpful warning signal — telling us when we're in danger or out of alignment with our true…
Life Kit: HealthPregnant? Here's how to deal with the new you
Pregnancy is hard work – for the body, mind and soul. There are seemingly endless resources for all the physical and logistical aspects of pregnancy but far…
Life Kit: Health5 ways to improve your indoor air quality
Want fresher, cleaner air at home? We share practical tips from researchers on how to clean your house (and your air), test your air quality, and change your…
Life Kit: HealthA better way to talk to your doctor
Ever leave the doctor's office confused or with unanswered questions? Talking to doctors and other medical professionals can be hard - whether they're good at…
Life Kit: HealthHow to have the STIs conversation
With Dr. Evalene Dacker, we lay out the science of STIs and then give you language to talk about them and, more broadly, about sex, with a potential partner…
Life Kit: HealthThe truth about caffeine
75% of Americans consume some kind of caffeine at least once a day. Whether your caffeine of choice is coffee, tea, soda or energy drinks, how do you know that…
Life Kit: HealthThe period talk you never got
This episode, we hear from two period experts on understanding the science of periods, management techniques and how to know when something is wrong. See…
Life Kit: HealthTeeth: an owner's manual
Brush twice a day. Remember to floss. Visit the dentist twice a year. We know the drill...or maybe not? In this episode, how to take care of your teeth, from…
Life Kit: HealthPractical tips for exercising in the cold
What kind of gear should you wear? How cold is too cold? And how do you stay motivated to say, run outdoors, when the weather is dreary? Athlete and activist…
Life Kit: HealthHow to wake up early, even if you're a night owl
Waking up at dawn with the bakers and the baristas may not be for everyone — especially night owls. Whether you have to wake up early or you'd like to become…
Life Kit: HealthTips for finding relief from IBS
More than 25 million Americans have Irritable Bowel Syndrome. While IBS symptoms present in the gut, it turns out that stress and anxiety can actually…
Life Kit: HealthExercises to 'futureproof' your body against chronic pain
Vinh Pham, physical therapist and author of "Sit Up Straight: Futureproof Your Body Against Chronic Pain with 12 Simple Movements," explains why mobility…
Life Kit: HealthHow to stop revenge bedtime procrastination
When your days are packed, it can be hard to find some "me time" time to unwind. You might find yourself staying up past your bedtime, scrolling on social…
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How to make the most of your health insurance
Using your health insurance doesn't have to be on an "in-case-of-emergency" basis. Learn how to make the most of your coverage by taking advantage of…
Life Kit: HealthMasks are off on public transit. How to assess risk in a less-masked world
Now that a federal judge has thrown out mask mandates on public transportation, many people are wondering, "How safe is it to use these forms of travel if many…
Life Kit: HealthHow to pick a birth control that works for you
Picking a form of contraception can be overwhelming. It involves understanding how birth control works, your preferences, side effects and more. This episode…
Life Kit: HealthHow to cope with seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
It's getting darker and colder, and there's still a pandemic. Oh, and then there's seasonal affective disorder. Here's how to spot it and what you can do…
Life Kit: HealthHow to talk to your Latinx parents about mental health
Shame and stigma play a huge role in discouraging folks in the Latinx community from seeking mental health care — and talking about it with their families…
Life Kit: HealthNeed to make a change in your life? Behavioral science can help
When's the best time to start a new habit? And what makes some stick while others fall by the wayside? Behavioral scientist Katy Milkman's new book, How to…
Life Kit: HealthHow to talk about the COVID-19 vaccine with people who are hesitant
Infectious disease specialist Dr. Jasmine Marcelin shares how she has conversations about the COVID-19 vaccine with people who have doubts about getting…
Life Kit: HealthA pediatrician's advice on omicron, daycare and travel for kids under 5
Amid the omicron surge, there is understandable anxiety among parents, particularly those with kids under 5. In this episode, infectious disease doctor Ibukun…
Life Kit: HealthHow to divest from diet culture
In 2021, nearly half of all new year's resolutions in the U.S. were based on weight loss. Why do we set these goals for ourselves? Diet culture, the social…
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Mindfulness for beginners
It's counterintuitive, but an effective way to manage our negative reactions to life's stressors actually involves slowing down and paying very close…
Life Kit: HealthWhen it comes to exercise, "all movements count"
Feeling blocked with it comes to starting an exercise habit? You can actually get the health benefits of exercise with just 22 minutes of exercise a day — and…
Life Kit: Health6 tips on taking a break from drinking
Thinking about taking a break from drinking? Here are ways to help you make a plan, navigate tricky social situations and reassess your relationship with…
Life Kit: HealthHow solitude can help you regulate your mood
Everyone needs a little alone time, but during this pandemic, you may have felt like you had too much "me" time or not enough. Let's get that balance back!…
Life Kit: HealthWhat happens in our brain when we grieve — and how it helps us stay afloat
When we lose a loved one, it can feel like we've lost a part of ourselves. And for good reason, our brains are learning how to live in this world without…
Life Kit: HealthOmicron variant, COVID booster shots — and how to stay safe during the holidays
The holiday season is well underway, and with it, a fresh batch of worries over the latest COVID-19 variant, omicron. For those planning end-of-year…
Life Kit: HealthHow to decide if freezing your eggs is right for you — and how to get started
Freezing your eggs can open doors for your fertility. It's also emotional, time-consuming and expensive. Here are some things to think about before you decide…
Life Kit: HealthHow To Build A Sleep Routine For You And Your Children
Getting enough sleep helps you focus, retain information and helps to fortify your immune system. But when it comes to children, they aren't always thinking…
Life Kit: HealthHow to wake up early, even if you're not a morning person
Waking up at dawn with the bakers and the baristas may not be for everyone — especially night owls. Whether you have to wake up early, or you'd like to become…
Life Kit: HealthHow to create a basic skin care routine
Your skin is your largest organ. If you want to care for it without getting sucked into a wormhole of pharmacological-sounding mumbo jumbo, this guide to…
Life Kit: HealthClimate Anxiety Is Real. Here's How To Address It
The climate crisis is here, and if you feel climate anxiety, that's a totally normal response. It's easy to feel overwhelmed or numb when you start thinking…
Life Kit: HealthHow To Choose A Health Insurance Plan
Picking health insurance takes a lot of work. It's not a one-size-fits-all type of situation, and there are a lot of confusing terms that come up every year…
Life Kit: Health5 Tips For Getting Started With Strength Training
Strength training is a great way to exercise efficiently while preventing injury. And while it's not that difficult to get into it, it can be intimidating if…
Life Kit: HealthHow You Can Help Someone At Risk Of Suicide
Research shows that suicide is preventable. And while surveys have shown that Americans know this, they might not know how to help someone who may be at risk…