Life Kit

Time is precious and we never seem to have enough of it. We have to work, feed ourselves, clean our homes, take care of kids or family members, catch up with friends, sleep ... and on top of that, there are endless hobbies or pursuits we'd want to do if only we had more hours in the week. Is it any wonder we feel like we're constantly scrambling? In this episode, how to carve out time for that pas...

Traveling alone can be a great opportunity to relax, try a new experience and learn more about yourself. But if you're interested in planning a solo trip, where do you start? In this episode, we'll cover how to cope with loneliness, safety concerns when traveling alone, and how to plan while staying open to serendipity. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an...

BJ Fogg, a behavior scientist at Stanford University and author of  Tiny Habits,  says you’ve got to start small if you want your habit to stick. He shares his research including the important role of positive emotion in habit formation and why you can work on several habits at once. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you want to...

For a lot of us, this time of year often triggers a financial reckoning. As you recover from the holidays, here are 6 tips from past Life Kit experts on how to save money year-round.   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 by signing up for...

Will I be able to show up for work? For my kid? For my partner? When you find yourself awake when you should be asleep, it’s easy to let those middle-of-the-night fears creep in. And failing to manage that anxiety can turn a few bad nights of sleep into a cycle of insomnia. Three sleep experts share strategies on minimizing sleep stress — from rethinking sleep trackers to ditching your bedtime. Fo...

Many of us crave stronger community, especially in the areas we live. Imagine how nice it would be to know all of your neighbors, have third spaces you're a regular at and plan routine gatherings with a wide circle of friends. But how do you actually make this dream a reality? Priya Parker, author of  The Art of Gathering , shares her best tips for building community at the local level. Follow us...

When it comes to weight loss, there are many misconceptions about what works. So if you want to lose weight this year, here's what the science says about the potential health benefits, GLP-1 drugs, exercise and more. Sign up for Life Kit's Guide to Building Strength here:  npr.org/stronger Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you wa...

Happy New Year! If you want to achieve a goal (big or small) this year, make sure it's specific, concrete and realistic. In this episode, writer Gretchen Rubin shares how to set and maintain resolutions, what to do when you fall away from them and other ways to look ahead to your 2026. Sign up for Life Kit's Guide to Building Strength here:  npr.org/stronger Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Si...

There are a lot of myths about strength training. But one thing is true: resistance training has massive benefits for your physical and mental health. NPR health correspondent Will Stone has the tips you need to get stronger in the New Year. Sign up for Life Kit's Guide to Building Strength here:  npr.org/stronger Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episod...

Personal finance can be a tricky subject to navigate. There's a lot of conflicting guidance on which savings account to use, how to budget properly and where to invest your money. And it's easy to make a mistake. This episode, financial educator Yanely Espinal shares the common financial mistakes she wish she knew about earlier. This episode originally published August 6, 2024. Sign up for our str...

Giving up alcohol for any amount of time can be challenging. Alcohol is embedded into countless norms and customs, from date nights to office happy hours. This episode, Casey Davidson, sobriety coach and host of the Hello Someday podcast, shares advice on taking an extended break from drinking: what to expect in the first few weeks, how to deal with social pressure and the many benefits of limitin...

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. Author Rachel Wilkerson Miller shares her best tips for the holidays, birthdays or any other occasion. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at ...

Death can be an uncomfortable and scary topic. But J.S. Park, a hospital chaplain and author of  As Long as You Need: Permission to Grieve , says talking about it can help us prepare for and process death — our own and those we love. On this episode of Life Kit, Park shares how to support someone who’s dying, what death can look like, and how to consider death without obsession or fear. Follow us...

Getting a good haircut can take some trial and error. Three professional stylists break down how to find a salon you can trust, what a successful consultation looks like, and how to walk out loving your new cut. 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 spo...

The holidays bring all kinds of family drama: the sibling who won't compromise, the grandparents who won't travel and different expectations of everything from etiquette to hygiene. Expert negotiator Bob Bordone and therapist Sahaj Kaur Kohli answer questions from Dear Life Kit listeners about how to handle holiday stress at family gatherings. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our n...

Long-term unemployment can lead to more than just financial worries. It can weigh on relationships and affect your self-esteem and motivation. Financial therapist and licensed clinical social worker Dev Valdez shares advice to protect your mental health while you're between jobs, especially if you've been out of work for an extended period. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our news...

Don't get swindled while buying gifts this holiday season. This episode, Amy Nofziger of AARP's Fraud Watch Network explains how to safeguard yourself from common shopping scams like fake shipping alerts and online stores — and offers advice on what to do if you fall for one. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? E...

When it comes to relationships, being comfortable is not necessarily the same as sharing emotional intimacy. But if you're in a long-term relationship, how do you maintain closeness over time? In this episode of Life Kit, psychologist James Cordova shares tips on how to build emotional intimacy into your daily life. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an epis...

About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Most of the time, diagnosis happens through routine screenings. This episode, we discuss risk factors for prostate cancer, how to get screened and what you can do if you are diagnosed. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at  l...

There's research showing 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 your body's internal clock. This episode originally published December 17, 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 Su...

Investing can be intimidating. How do you know which funds to choose? How do you diversify? How much should you be setting aside in a retirement plan versus a savings account or a brokerage account? This episode, we talk to Mary Childs, co-host of NPR's  Planet Money , about these questions and more. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feed...

There can be a lot of stress when it comes to the holidays: figuring out travel plans, preparing the perfect meal, spending time with the whole family for days on end. There can also be a lot pressure to do everything perfectly, but psychotherapist and author of All Is Calmish: How to Feel Less Frantic and More Festive During the Holidays, Niro Feliciano, says that letting go of the need for perfe...

Martinus Evans, author of  Slow AF Run Club: The Ultimate Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Run , explains why anyone who wants to run can run. He shares tips on gear, training programs and what he calls "sexy pace."  This episode originally aired on June 22, 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  lif...

We're surrounded by ads and sales pitches — in our inboxes, on our phones and when we walk down the street. And everyone loves a good deal, but what actually constitutes a deal? How do you know you're getting the best price or that what you're purchasing is of good quality? In this episode, we offer tips to help you make purchases you're happy with this holiday season. Follow us on Instagram:  @np...

Winter tends to get a bad rap: people complain endlessly about its shorter days, darker skies and plummeting temperatures. It's true that parts of winter can be unpleasant, but psychologist Kari Leibowitz, author of  How to Winter: Harness your Mindset to Thrive on Cold, Dark, or Difficult Days , says that winter can also be a time of reflection, creativity and coziness. This episode, Leibowitz sh...