Life Kit

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 and social can be challenging once the clocks roll back an hour. But should we let winter keep us from living our lives? In this episode, health psychologist Kari Leibowitz discusses her new book, How To Winter: Harness Your Mindset to Thrive...

When a friend's loved one has died, what do you do? Send flowers? Condolences? Distract them? It can be hard to know how to support a grieving friend. You want to be there for them, but you also know there's not much you can do to heal their pain. This episode, reporter Julia Furlan talks to grief experts about the most effective ways to show up for someone. And she shares insights from the times...

As we enter a period of high personal spending, here are 5 tips from past Life Kit experts on how to save money during the holidays and year-round. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Searching for the perfect gift for a loved one doesn't have to be stressful. With some clever thinking, buying a present can be even more fun than receiving one. 'SELF magazine' editor-in-chief Rachel Wilkerson Miller shares her best tips for the holidays, birthdays or any other occasion. This episode was originally published on February 2, 2023. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our colle...

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 starting a routine, he shares tips on pace, gear and form. This episode originally aired on June 22, 2023. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsors...

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 science of alcohol's affect on your body and tips for reassessing your relationship to alcohol. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences...

Holiday travel is stressful — especially if you're dealing with family baggage on top of your actual baggage. But with some patience and boundary setting, you can keep your cool. This episode, how to prepare for holidays with family: mindfulness techniques that will work this season and year-round. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship an...

A basic guide to boogying down, whether that's at a wedding, a dance studio or alone in your kitchen. In this episode, experts offer tips on how to shake off that self-consciousness and find the beat. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

If you roast your turkey on a pre-heated pizza stone, you can avoid the dreaded task of flipping the piping hot bird midway through the cooking process, says Lan Lam of 'America's Test Kitchen.' This episode originally aired on Nov. 16, 2023. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Pri...

Chef and TV host Prue Leith may be an exacting judge with the bakers on The Great British Bake Off . But when it comes to the rest of us, she thinks we could all cut ourselves a bit of slack in the kitchen. That's the idea behind her new cookbook, Life's Too Short to Stuff a Mushroom. It includes flavorful and simple recipes — but also dozens of practical cooking hacks from her 65-year culinary ca...

The paper of life — birth certificates, tax information, medical records and other important documents — all have to go somewhere. But keeping track of all these files and actually organizing them can feel like a headache. Professional organizer Kacy Paide walks through how to get started, what to toss and how to make a system that you'll actually stick to in moments of stress. See pcm.adswizz.com...

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 safety. Guidance on how to prepare, cook, serve and store food this holiday season — without giving yourself or your loved ones food poisoning. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and...

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 months. This episode, we break down some of the terms and share guided questions to help you choose the plan that's best for you. This episode was originally published Oct. 31, 2023. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and...

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 hydration. This episode originally published September 22, 2022. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

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 of getting back on track, say experts. Instead, set yourself up for success with these tips. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preference...

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 September 11, 2023. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences...

Finding missing items isn't a matter of "looking harder." There's an art and a science to it. The next time you misplace your wedding ring, try these strategies to hunt it down. They'll make your search process faster, smoother and calmer. Life Kit digital editor Malaka Gharib talks with visual search experts, a metal detector enthusiast and a detective about their best tricks for finding what's l...

Comedian and advice columnist Sophia Benoit weighs in on questions from listeners with sticky interpersonal situations and gives us a gut check on each one. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

October is breast cancer awareness month. Here's what you need to know about detection and screening. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

You signed your kid up for the soccer team (or swimming lessons, or piano or art), paid the fee and now they're begging to quit! In these moments, it's difficult to know what decision will help your kid grow in the long run. Do you ask them to tough it out and develop perseverance? Or trust their emotions? In this episode, Life Kit visuals editor Beck Harlan talks to two family psychologists about...

Nearly 70 percent of people were deceived into buying a counterfeit product online at least once last year, according to research from Michigan State University. And buying knockoff versions of products can be dangerous. Kari Kammel, the director at the Center for Anti Counterfeiting and Product Protection at Michigan State University, shares tips for how to avoid counterfeit and unsafe products,...

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 packaged foods. This episode originally published June 20, 2023. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

Internal Family Systems, a type of therapy, encourages an examination of the different "parts" of your self. Listening to and learning from the voices within can help us manage stress and get through tough decisions. This episode is Part 3 of the new series, Stress Less: A Quest to Reclaim Your Cal m. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship...

There comes a time when it's the kid's turn to take care of mom and dad. Here's how to broach this sensitive subject with your parents. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

The biggest threat in a hurricane isn't the wind, it's the water. And Atlantic hurricane season isn't over yet. NPR climate correspondent Michael Copley walks through your to-do list after a big flooding event and how to prepare for one in the future. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences...