Life Kit

Are you a 'Parisian perfectionist'? How about a 'messy perfectionist'? Psychotherapist Katherine Morgan Schafler believes there are 5 kinds of perfectionists in the world. Find out which one you are with our quiz . This episode originally published January 30, 2023. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at...

Perimenopause can be overwhelming. Mood swings, insomnia and hot flashes can make you feel like a completely different person. Hormone therapy is one way a lot of women are treating the symptoms. Life Kit’s Marielle Segarra talks with Dr. Mara Gordon of NPR’s Real Talk with a Doc column about the risks and benefits. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an epis...

There are lots of reasons women may experience pain during or after sex. Whether you've just given birth, are experiencing hormonal changes, or are under a lot of stress, you have options to address the pain. In this episode of Life Kit, reporter Andee Tagle talks to pelvic floor physical therapist Janelle Frederick about how to communicate with sex partners about it, when to see a doctor or physi...

Many of us feel overwhelmed by life's obligations — work, family, friends and relationships. In a culture fixated on busyness, time always seems in short supply. What if we could find more time for what really matters to us? This episode, Niro Feliciano, psychotherapist and author of This Book Won’t Make You Happy: Eight Keys to Finding True Contentment , explains how to take a time audit of your...

Groceries aren't cheap, but there are ways beyond just looking for sales to make budget meals. To help cut down your grocery bill, we have practical tips for saving money on the food you cook at home. This episode original published May 30, 2023. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at  lifekit@npr.org Su...

We use encouragement and support to get through life's big moments. But what about a little pep talk for those smaller moments, like when it's raining and your dog needs to go out? Or some inspiration to help you parallel park or send that email you've been avoiding? In this episode, Paula Skaggs and Josh Linden, co-authors of the book Tiny Pep Talks , share bite-sized motivation for everyday nuis...

Many people pause physical activity during pregnancy -- but research shows that exercising while pregnant is good for your health and your baby's health. If you're unsure which kinds of exercise are on the table, fear not. Life Kit reporter Andee Tagle takes you through the workout guidance for each trimester and how you can physically prepare for your due date. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifeki...

In gaming, a side quest is a mission outside the main narrative or goal that players can take for fun. In life, it functions similarly. It's a hobby or activity that doesn't have any purpose other than bringing more whimsy, sparkle and exploration into your life. In this episode of Life Kit, host Marielle Segarra and Brittany Luse of NPR's It's Been a Minute talk to experts about how to find a sid...

Do you check your phone to set a reminder, then get sidetracked by every targeted social media ad? Or plan to spend your day in focus mode only to be derailed by your TV? We encounter dozens of screens everyday, each of them with an abundance of information calling for our attention. But there is a way to set better boundaries with your tech. This episode, Manoush Zomorodi, host of NPR's TED Radio...

Called 'supercommunicators,' these people have the exceptional ability of creating authentic connections with others — just by listening and talking. This episode originally ran on Februrary 20, 2024  Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at  lifekit@npr.org Support the show and listen to it sponsor-free b...

You know you want to save for that vacation, those new tires and more generally, the future. But what savings approach actually works? Certified financial planner Tania P. Brown recommends trying savings buckets. By creating separate categories — or buckets — for your savings, you can prioritize your goals, plan ahead and set rules for when you'll tap into each fund. In this episode, Brown shares...

Stressed, anxious, or angry? Distress tolerance tools — from dunking your head in a bowl of ice water to imagining yourself in a calm setting — can help. In this episode, clinical psychologist Shireen Rizvi shares dialectical behavior therapy skills from the recent book she co-authored, Real Skills for Real Life. These physical and mental exercises can help you care for yourself, so you can think...

In this episode, decision coach Nell Wulfhart shares exercises to make speedier decisions, when to ask others for guidance and how to deal with any regret. This episode originally published June 2, 2025. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at  lifekit@npr.org Support the show and listen to it sponsor-fre...

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 enough of it. NPR health correspondent (and fiber fanatic) Maria Godoy shares easy ways to up your fiber intake. Plus, the science of what fiber does in your body and how having more in your diet could help you. This episode was originally publi...

Advice inbound. In this edition of Dear Life Kit, we're pulling wisdom from the Life Kit archives to help you:  -Support a friend who is imposing distance  -Escape your kids' exhausting schedule  -Handle a tricky conversation about money with your family  -Call out some bad energy in your friend's marriage  Have a question for the Life Kit team? Write us or send a recording to lifekit@npr.org . Qu...

Wondering how to have fun this summer without spending a fortune? All you need is a little creativity. Go on a "penny date." Throw a movie marathon party. Swap houses with a friend. With a little imagination, you can bring delight and joy — at a low cost — to your sunny days ahead. This episode originally aired Aug. 1, 2023. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Hav...

Whether you're feeling guilty about overspending or guilty about not spending enough, shame around money can get in the way of your goals. In this episode, Marielle Segarra talks with certified financial planner Lauryn Williams about how to address financial guilt and align your spending with your values. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or...

Whether you’re ready to become pregnant today or thinking about the future, there’s a lot to learn about your fertility. In this episode, a reproductive endocrinologist and a reproductive psychiatrist walk through the basic factors that contribute to your ability to get pregnant — and explain the best ways to get your timing right. Sign up for Life Kit's skin care newsletter . Follow us on Instagr...

A lot of marriages end in divorce. As painful as it can be, there’s a way for separating partners to engage with the divorce process in a healthy way. Karen McNenny, certified divorce coach and author of The Good Divorce: How to End Your Marriage Without Ending Your Family, shares tenets for transforming your family without becoming bitter. Sign up for Life Kit's skin care newsletter . Follow us o...

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 to enjoy meals while paying attention. This episode originally published Sept. 11, 2023. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at  lifekit@npr.org S...

Want to cut through small talk at your next mixer? Try asking a "magical question," says Priya Parker, a conflict resolution facilitator and author of the book The Art of Gathering . These questions, like "What is a path you almost took but didn't?" and "What topic could you give a 20 minute talk on with zero preparation?" can spark deep and meaningful conversations and foster connection. In this...

Do you blow $20 on slop bowls because you keep forgetting to pack lunch? Or can't help but overspend every time you eat out with friends? Dining out can be expensive — but there are ways to minimize the financial punch. This episode, reporter Joe Hernandez shares tips on how to dine out on a budget. Sign up for his one-month newsletter , How to Cut Your Food Bill, for more tips . Follow us on Inst...

Sometimes you just don't have the energy to do the dishes and pick up all the dirty clothes from the floor. Therapist KC Davis, author of How to Keep House While Drowning, has developed a framework for keeping up with house cleaning without feeling overwhelmed. This episode originally ran April 2023. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feed...

Need some advice? In this edition of Dear Life Kit, we're pulling wisdom from the vast Life Kit archives to help you:  -Avoid energy vampires  -Set firmer boundaries with friends at work  -Navigate your own success when others are struggling Have a question for the Life Kit team? Write us or send a recording to  lifekit@npr.org . Questions about money, health, home and family life, staying organiz...

If chasing a "perfect" life feels exhausting, try for a  nice  life instead, says Rachel Wilkerson Miller. In her upcoming book,  The Nice Life: How to Elevate the Everyday and Find Joy in What You Have,  Miller argues that a nice life means noticing beauty, being open to curiosity, seeking community and more. Life Kit host Marielle Segarra spoke to Miller at The WBUR Festival in Boston about honi...