Everyone needs a little help being a human. From sleep to saving money to parenting and more, host Marielle Segarra talks to experts to get the best advice out there. Life Kit is here to help you get it together. Support public media by joining NPR+ at plus.npr.org . You’ll get perks for over 25 NPR podcasts, including sponsor-free listening and helpful curated playlists by topic for Life Kit.
PFAS, or "forever chemicals," are persistent, man-made substances found in everything from nonstick cookware to nearly half of U.S. tap water. These chemicals, linked to serious health conditions like cancer and immune system suppression, possess exceptionally strong carbon-fluorine bonds that prevent them from breakin...
Planning a successful couple's trip requires aligning expectations, managing finances proactively, and balancing shared experiences with individual needs. Couples should first identify their "why"—whether seeking relaxation, adventure, or reconnection—to ensure both partners feel heard and invested. Prepaying for major...
Bowel health is often overlooked, yet optimizing daily habits can significantly enhance digestive comfort and overall well-being. Gastroenterologist Dr. Trisha Pasricha emphasizes that ignoring the urge to defecate leads to harder, more difficult stools, making it essential to prioritize responding to the body's natura...
Retirement accounts function as essential tax shelters that allow investments to grow shielded from taxes, significantly outperforming standard bank savings. Traditional accounts, such as 401(k)s and IRAs, provide immediate tax deductions on contributions, deferring taxes until withdrawals are made during retirement wh...
Supporting someone through grief requires being a witness to their loss rather than attempting to find the perfect words. Avoiding the topic often stems from discomfort, yet acknowledging the deceased and sharing memories validates the griever’s experience. Platitudes such as "everything happens for a reason" or "at le...
Overwhelming stress manifests physically, cognitively, and behaviorally, requiring targeted interventions to regain composure. Clinical psychologist Jenny Taitz, author of Stress Resets, outlines practical strategies to soothe the nervous system in minutes. Cognitive resets, such as naming emotions or singing irrationa...
Overconsumption drives a significant portion of the global economy, yet it often leaves individuals in debt and burdened by excess clutter. The "no-buy" challenge offers a practical framework to regain financial control and reduce environmental impact. Successfully implementing this lifestyle change requires finding a ...
Explosive power—the ability to generate force quickly rather than lifting heavy loads—is essential for daily mobility, injury prevention, and athletic performance. As muscle mass and fast-twitch fibers naturally decline after age 40, incorporating explosive movements helps maintain functional independence and physical ...
Dating apps often feel like a mandatory second job, yet they are frequently used for validation or out of a fear of missing out rather than genuine connection. Because these platforms are gamified using intermittent reinforcement similar to slot machines, users must establish strict boundaries, such as time-blocking or...
Managing financial health requires a structured approach similar to physical wellness, categorized by daily, monthly, and annual cadences. Establishing long-term goals—defined by personal values rather than just monetary figures—serves as the foundation for all financial planning. Annually, individuals should review in...
The mental load—the invisible, boundaryless, and enduring cognitive labor required to manage a household and care for loved ones—disproportionately burdens women due to persistent social standards and gendered expectations. Sociologist Leah Ruppanner, author of Drained, explains that while men and women perceive mess e...
High-deductible health plans offer lower monthly premiums but shift significant financial responsibility to the consumer through substantial upfront costs. Navigating these plans requires understanding that medical expenses must be paid out-of-pocket until the deductible is met, which can lead to delayed care or financ...
Seasonal allergies stem from complex inflammatory responses rather than histamine alone, rendering oral antihistamines insufficient for many sufferers. Board-certified allergist Dr. Prathyusha Savjani advocates a three-pronged management strategy: minimizing allergen exposure, utilizing targeted medications, and pursui...
Accountability buddies serve as a powerful tool for overcoming procrastination and maintaining consistency in personal and professional goals. By partnering with someone to track progress, individuals leverage social pressure and structured routines to transform abstract resolutions into reflexive habits. Behavioral sc...
Transitioning from a professional role to a working parent requires proactive planning, emotional self-compassion, and structural boundary-setting. Amy Beacom, founder of the Center for Parental Leave Leadership, emphasizes that successful re-entry begins before leave starts by negotiating flexible schedules and mainta...
The podcast episode focuses on improving to-do lists by aligning them with personal values and goals. It suggests identifying a "game changer" goal by considering what one wants to be, experience, or have, and then breaking it down into actionable steps. Alternatively, one can work backward from an existing to-do list ...
The podcast episode focuses on how to get a book published, covering both traditional and self-publishing routes. It emphasizes the importance of securing a literary agent, detailing how to find one by examining acknowledgments in similar books and crafting effective query letters. For nonfiction, a book proposal is cr...
The podcast addresses the question of how much protein people need daily, highlighting that the answer varies based on activity level, age, and body weight. Updated federal dietary guidelines recommend 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight each day, a meaningful increase from prior recommendations. Fo...
The podcast addresses the increasing trend of teenagers using AI chatbots for companionship and mental health advice, highlighting potential risks and offering guidance for parents. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the types of chatbots teens are using and the content of their conversations, which can some...
The podcast explores the importance of financial transparency in relationships, advocating for open and honest conversations about money at every stage, from casual dating to marriage. Vivian Tu, a financial educator, shares advice on how to broach financial topics with a partner, suggesting fun, hypothetical questions...
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