Life Kit: Health

It's getting darker and colder, and there's still a pandemic. Oh, and we all have seasonal affective disorder. Here's how to spot it and what you can do. 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

Between the coronavirus and the election, the news is overwhelming right now. Neuroscientist Judson Brewer can help. Take a break from the headlines and press play. 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

When the world feels upside-down, it might seem counterintuitive to turn inward to create change. But that's exactly what meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg says we should do. 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

Dietitian Shana Spence joins Life Kit to share her tips to making nutritious meals without spending more than you have to. 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

Just because you (or your kids) are home all day doesn't mean you can skip your vaccines, including a flu shot. Here's how vaccines work and why they're important this year. 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

Is working from home causing all sorts of aches and pains? An ergonomics expert talked us through how to avoid the most common home setup pitfalls. 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

Deciding to forgive is a big step. After all, you're the one who's been harmed! But it turns out that forgiving someone actually has benefits for your mental health. The practice of radical forgiveness can help you process hurt and anger — and ultimately find peace. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsors...

Everyone needs a little alone time, but with the current pandemic, you might have either too much "me" time or not enough. Let's get that balance back. This episode breaks down some of the research behind what makes even small bouts of solitude restorative and what to do when you're alone too much. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship an...

No matter your skin tone, sunscreen keeps your skin safe from harmful UVA and UVB rays. But to use it right, you need to know a few things: What SPF to use, how often to reapply and the difference between chemical and physical sunscreen. This episode explains what to look for on the back of a sunscreen bottle and how to use it effectively. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection a...

Thinking about making a trip to visit family? In the age of the coronavirus, there are questions you need to answer before showing up at your relative's house. In this episode, we talk through best practices for if, or when, you decide to visit elderly relatives during this pandemic. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage you...

One in five Americans struggles with medical bills. The secret is that there's something you can do about it — you just have to know where to look and how to ask. 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

Face masks are crucial for curbing the spread of the coronavirus. This episode goes over some best practices when it comes to face masks, including how to wear a mask properly, the protection given by cloth vs surgical masks, and how to safely take a break. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship prefe...

Returning to work during the COVID-19 pandemic? This episode helps workers understand their rights, including current rules about unemployment, safety concerns and underlying conditions. 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

We all need strategies to push back against conflict, anger and worry. Tara Brach distills the practice of mindfulness into a simple 4-step tool from her book Radical Compassion . This daily practice can help you show up for 'life' – and let go of regret and anxiety. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsor...

Talking about death makes many of us uncomfortable, so we don't plan for it. But the reality is even a small amount of planning ensures our final wishes are honored — and makes it easier on our friends and family. This episode will help you get started on making a will and an advanced directive, even if you don't have a big estate. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use o...

How do you get a good night's sleep? Many of us have routines we use to try and reach that blissful state of slumber — from meditation to melatonin to putting on a pair of socks. Sleep scientists weigh in on what sleep rituals actually work. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Priv...

A visit to the doctor's office looks a little different during the pandemic. Doctors are using telemedicine services to treat patients more frequently. In this episode, Dr. Mara Gordon provides tips to help you get the most out of your telehealth visit. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferenc...

Summer is here, but the typical summer activities don't feel quite as carefree. How do you know if it's safe to hit the beach, rent a vacation home or pitch a tent? Life Kit host Allison Aubrey interviews experts to rate the risks of favorite summer pastimes. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship pre...

Weight stigma can hurt more than just your feelings. Negative messages about weight are actually bad for your health. This episode, a case for ditching the obsession with weight loss and focusing on celebrating all different body shapes and sizes. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NP...

You can't fully show up for the people in your life until you know how to do the same for yourself. In this episode, we talk with Rachel Wilkerson Miller, author of The Art of Showing Up about how to take care of yourself. 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

We're all experiencing some kind of grief these days. As this pandemic progresses, more of us will experience losing someone important to us. This episode lays a groundwork for the grieving process, no matter what your loss. 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

Screens keep us connected while we're socially distant, but phone fatigue is real. It's important to take breaks from your device to destress. In this episode, expert advice for balancing screen time during quarantine. 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

Exercise is considered an essential activity during this pandemic. But what if it's the first time you'll be going for a jog? Avid runner and host of Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!, Peter Sagal gives his pitch for why you should start running and three steps to get you there. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sp...

Experts say the coronavirus outbreak may be the biggest source of internet misinformation ever. Fake cures, unscientific tips, and conspiracy theories about COVID-19 are flooding the Internet — but there are ways to sniff out misinformation. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Priv...

Shame spirals, toilet paper panic and bingeing on news — It's easy to worry, but harder to stop. Psychiatrist Dr. Judson Brewer explains why panic can be as contagious as a virus and shares simple ways to recenter yourself when you get carried away by anxious thoughts. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast spons...