Life Kit

For Suleika Jaouad, journaling has been a source of solace through life's ups and downs for as long as she can remember. Writing in her journal helps her process, reflect and make meaning from painful experiences. In her book, The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life, Jaouad shares writing prompts from writers, artists and thinkers, to help you put pen to paper (even when you...

If you have kids, cooking with them might sound like a daunting prospect. But David Nayfeld, the chef behind the new book, Dad, What's for Dinner? , says cooking with your kids can create positive memories and help your kids build useful skills. In this episode, Nayfeld shares easy weeknight recipes to try with your kids and cooking tasks children can help with at any age. Yes, it might get messy,...

Author and body-acceptance advocate Katie Sturino joins Ronald Young Jr., host of the podcast Weight For It , to answer listener questions about body image. 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

Financial educator Yanely Espinal shares her don'ts when it comes to money. Don't co-sign loans. Don't make hype-driven investments. Don't spend money you don't have. If you've been making these missteps, don't worry — Espinal has advice on how to create a path forward. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast spon...

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Sometimes we buy things that we later regret spending on: a new sweater that's already falling apart, or a thrifted "vintage" vase that turns out to be a mass-produced dupe. In the moment, it's difficult to resist the temptation of making a purchase. But with a few pointed questions, you can make sure you've done your due diligence and buy something guilt-free. This episode, financial experts offe...

Receiving praise can feel good. But it can also feel uncomfortable. Should you say something nice back? Brush it off? Make a self-deprecating comment? Many of us were never taught how to accept compliments, but there's science to back up the benefits of receiving and giving kudos. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your p...

In the era of online dating, asking someone out in real life has become a lost art. This episode, confidence coach Regina Bonds shares tips on putting yourself out there, bouncing back from rejections and talking to people in person. 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 Poli...

Oftentimes, it's easier to scroll through our phones than do some squats. So what can we do to motivate ourselves to pick movement? In this episode of Life Kit, we speak with clinical psychologist Diana Hill and movement specialist Katy Bowman about how to retrain your brain to crave physical activity more than your phone. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of persona...

In this episode of Life Kit, reporter Andee Tagle talks to entomologist Sammy Ramsey and environmental health professor Brian Byrd about why some people get bitten more than others, which ingredients to seek in bug repellents and what you can do to protect yourself against those itchy bites. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to ma...

Play isn't just for kids. Research shows it can help you adapt to difficult circumstances, collaborate better and problem-solve. In this episode, play researchers and enthusiasts share the benefits of playtime at any age and how you can bring more play into your life. This episode originally published July 27, 2023. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data...

There are options beyond living solo or with roommates — and one of them is called 'communal living.' In this arrangement, people don't just simply live together, but share resources and create community. In this episode, co-living enthusiasts explain how it works and how to decide whether it's right for you. This episode originally published on April 16, 2024. See pcm.adswizz.com for information...

Typical savings account interest rates can earn you pennies. In this episode, you'll learn about other high-interest savings options to earn more in interest and protect your savings against inflation. 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

Sex, and the pursuit of it, can feel amazing. But sometimes, cravings for sex lead to unhealthy obsessions, poor choices or a loss of identity. If you're struggling to see a way out of old dating patterns or if you want to pour more into yourself, Melissa Febos, author of The Dry Season , suggests taking a break. In this episode, Febos and others share the benefits they've gotten from temporary pe...

It's long been thought that eating protein from animals (eggs, meat, chicken, fish) can help you become stronger. But a new study out of the University of Illinois shows that plant protein is just as effective at building muscle. NPR health correspondent Will Stone explains how the science around plant protein is shifting. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of persona...

There's a heat wave hitting much of the United State this week. Our bodies do have natural ways to dissipate heat, but when temperatures get extreme, sometimes they just can't keep up. In this episode of Life Kit, learn how to keep cool, hydrated and safe in extreme heat. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sp...

As summer heats up, we often crank the air conditioning, which uses a lot of energy. NPR's Climate Solutions Correspondent Julia Simon has five simple and affordable tips to save electricity without sacrificing comfort. We'll cover the science behind the open window versus AC debate, "night flushing" your home and cost-saving home improvement projects to help keep you cool. See pcm.adswizz.com for...

More than 31 million people in the United States get bitten by ticks each year, and some of those ticks carry diseases such as Lyme disease, according to the CDC. In this episode of Life Kit, we cover where you might encounter ticks this summer, how to protect yourself against them and what to do if you get bitten. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data f...

Air travel can be frustrating. According to the Department of Transportation, in 2024 flights were delayed about 20% of the time and there were over 400 tarmac delays of three hours or more for domestic flights. In this episode, learn what you can do ahead of time to avoid delays, get ahead of drama in the terminal when your flight is cancelled and strategies for getting refunds quickly (like refe...

Your pelvic floor helps with all sorts of bodily functions — it helps you go to the bathroom, breathe, and orgasm, and it supports your internal organs. But pelvic floor dysfunction can lead to painful sex, constipation, urinary leakage, and pelvic pain. In this episode, we talk with pelvic floor physical therapist Sara Reardon about how to treat pelvic floor dysfunction and the basics of keeping...

Hurricane season can feel unnerving for many, especially as hurricanes grow more intense due to climate change. WUSF climate and environment reporter Jessica Meszaros breaks down how to know your flood risk level and ways to flood-proof your home so that you'll be more secure this season. This episode is part of NPR's Climate Solutions Week, a series where we examine how to be more resilient in a...

Ideas on how to have fun this summer without breaking the bank. 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 — into your sunny days ahead. This episode originally aired August 1st, 2023. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to m...

If you're online, your personal data is at risk. It might feel impossible to protect your data from hacks and breaches, but there are methods to make it slow and expensive for bad actors to target you. Our experts share simple measures to better protect your data online, including practices you can pick up starting now. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal d...

Dan Harris of the 10% Happier podcast interviews Life Kit host Marielle Segarra as part of their Get Fit Sanely series. Marielle talks her favorite tips, like building in exercise snacks, preventing revenge bedtime procrastination, finding your play personality and more. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast spo...

Whether you saw it coming or were completely blindsided, getting laid off is one of the most stressful experiences in life. It can also be a huge hit to your mental health, making it even harder to focus on logistics. This episode, we lay out concrete next steps for the first day, week, month and onward after a layoff. That includes how to find health insurance, apply for unemployment and create a...