Life Kit

As bad as it feels, anxiety is essential, says psychotherapist Britt Frank, author of  The Science of Stuck.  It can be a helpful warning signal that something is off, or even dangerous. But when anxiety hits, it's hard to remember its importance. In this episode, Frank explains what we can do to feel more centered when we anxiety makes us feel overwhelmed -- so we can listen to what it's telling...

If you're in an interracial relationship, there can be additional concerns even with lots of love and care: cultural misunderstandings, family members who say hurtful things, disagreements over values or communication styles and larger power imbalances at play. This episode, writer Davon Loeb shares advice on navigating racial differences in your relationship and creating a stronger connection wit...

What happens when you get a medical bill for something your insurance should have covered? KFF Health News reporter Jackie Fortiér outlines who talk to, what to say and how to appeal a denial from your insurance company. Have a question about navigating the health care system? Contact us here and you might be part of an upcoming episode of Health Care Helpline. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit...

When a crush turns into a harmful obsession, you might experience limerence, romantic infatuation characterized by extreme emotional highs and lows, intrusive thoughts and idealization. In this episode, we talk to neuroscientist Tom Bellamy, author of the book  Smitten , about how limerence works in the brain, what you can do to stop it, and how to replace limerence with healthier interests. Follo...

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 better night's rest. This episode originally published Janaury 9, 2024. Want better sleep? Sign up Life Kit's Guide to Better Sleep, our special newsletter series. When you sign up, you'll receive a series of emails over one week with tips yo...

For chef Samin Nosrat, one of the most valuable parts of life is sharing food with the people you love. Samin joins Life Kit to discuss her new cookbook, offers advice for ritualizing ongoing gatherings with friends and shares her recipe for the ultimate garlic bread.  Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us...

A new semester has begun, which means college students across the country are taking on debt, opening credit cards and navigating meal plans and housing on their own. Budgeting and managing money, especially as a first-year college student, can be daunting. In this episode, we cover how to plan for student loans, look for scholarships, get part time work and more. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlife...

Searching for an item you've misplaced, like a passport, wedding ring or keys, can get frustrating quickly. Luckily, there are tips to help make your search process faster, smoother and calmer. Life Kit digital editor Malaka Gharib talks with visual search experts about their best tricks for finding what's lost. This episode originally published October 31, 2024. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifek...

It’s not just school kids who could use a back-to-school reset. Your body could use one too. This episode of Life Kit, medical professionals share advice to help you care for your ears, eyes, teeth, feet and skin. We hope these tips leave you feeling healthy and strong as the fall season begins. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here. Have an episode idea or feedback...

High school and college students graduating in 2026 will have had access to artificial intelligence models like ChatGPT since their freshman year. Teens are using it in creative ways to help them study, but many have also received little to no guidance on responsible use. In this episode, we discuss how to talk to teens about AI, including its risks and potential benefits for young people. Follow...

Sometimes you're just feeling blah: maybe the weather's bad, you can't get out of bed and you're struggling to shake off that listlessness. In these moments, the solution is often simpler than we think. This episode, NPR's Science desk and Life Kit staff present research-backed mood boosters to instantly shake yourself out of a slump and turn your day around. This episode originally published Sept...

Behavioral scientist Wendy De La Rosa and personal finance expert Katie Gatti Tassin answer murky money questions from Dear Life Kit listeners. 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 Life Kit+ at  plus.npr.org/lifekit See p...

No matter whether you're walking, biking or driving, there are things you can do to stay safe on the road. NPR health correspondent Pien Huang shares her reporting on tips to keep each other safe while sharing our busy streets. 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...

Have you ever had a disturbing thought pop up into your head? Thoughts that are distressing, repetitive and unwanted are called intrusive thoughts. NPR's senior Visuals producer LA Johnson talks with a therapist and a researcher to figure out what these thoughts mean, where they come from and how best to handle them.  Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our newsletter here . Have an e...

Have you ever woken up with a crick in your neck after a bad night's sleep? Or feel like you can't rotate your head? Many people will experience neck pain at some point in life. Luckily, there are science-backed treatments and exercises to ease those nagging aches. This episode, a spine surgeon, sports medicine doctor, sleep expert and physical therapist give tips on working through neck pain. Fol...

Today's teens struggle with perfectionism and mood swings, and their parents struggle to have hard conversations with them, according to a 2024 Walton Family Foundation and Gallup poll. Teen psychologist Lisa Damour explains how parents can better support their kids as a new school year begins. This episode originally published August 27, 2024. Follow us on Instagram:  @nprlifekit Sign up for our...

Quitting is often associated with failure. But choosing to walk away from a goal can help you save time, identify what you truly want and create space for other pursuits. This episode, how to evaluate your goal, figure out its cost and know when it's time to throw in the towel. For handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR’s Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub .  Follow us...

Eating disorders are complicated illnesses that are often misunderstood. Dr. Eva Trujillo, a specialist in eating disorders, says eating disorders "literally rewire the brain," decrease brain size and make it harder to concentrate and regulate emotions. Emily Kwong, host of NPR's Short Wave, talks about the physical and mental impacts of eating disorders and how to recover in a world steeped in di...

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 nui...

Helping an aging parent with end-of-life planning? Financial journalist Cameron Huddleston explains how to broach the topic with your parents — and the documents and plans they should have in place. This episode originally published on Sept. 25, 2023. For handpicked podcast recommendations every week, subscribe to NPR’s Pod Club newsletter at npr.org/podclub. See pcm.adswizz.com for information ab...

Phones can be addicting: There are endless texts to answer, notifications to check and games to play. We often end up on our phones without intending to. But Jose Briones, author of Low Tech Life: A guide to Mindful Digital Minimalism , says there is a solution. This episode, tips on quitting your smartphone in favor of simpler technology. This episode originally published July 30, 2024. See pcm.a...

Whether you're sleeping on your old friend's couch or staying with a family member for a long weekend, we have tips to make sure your presence is a gift and not a chore. What's the ideal amount of time to stay with your host? Should you strip the bed when you leave? When your host says, "Make yourself at home," what does that really mean? In this episode, lifestyle and etiquette expert Elaine Swan...

Almost 7 in 10 consumers were misled into purchasing counterfeit items online at least one time in the last year, according to a 2023 study 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...

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and others have said that seed oils, like soybean, corn and sunflower oils, are poisoning Americans. But what does the research say? NPR health correspondent Maria Godoy speaks with nutrition and fatty acids scientists about the most common concerns with seed oils. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorsh...

From pregnancy tracking apps to smart baby monitors, technology is ingrained in parenthood at every turn. But at what cost? In this episode, Amanda Hess, author of Second Life: Having a Child in the Digital Age, shares how data, metrics and our relationship to technology can shape child-rearing — and create barriers between parents and their kids. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our coll...