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Life Kit: Health

Life Kit: Health

NPR 251 Episodes Aug 17, 2026

Taking care of yourself shouldn't be complicated. This podcast offers practical advice from experts to help you live a long and healthy life, based on science. Each episode covers a different health or wellness topic, providing actionable tips. It is updated every time Life Kit posts an episode on health and wellness.

Episodes

Is hormone therapy the cheat code to perimenopause?
Is hormone therapy the cheat code to perimenopause? Aug 17, 2026 1057 Perimenopause can be overwhelming. Mood swings, insomnia and hot flashes can make you feel like a completely different person. Hormone therapy is one way a lot of women are treating the symptoms. Life Kit’s Marielle Segarra talks with Dr. Mara Gordon of NPR’s Real Talk with a Doc column about the risks and benefits.Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekitSign up for our newsletter here.Have an episode
If sex is painful, you have options
If sex is painful, you have options Aug 13, 2026 1435 There are lots of reasons women may experience pain during or after sex. Whether you've just given birth, are experiencing hormonal changes, or are under a lot of stress, you have options to address the pain. In this episode of Life Kit, reporter Andee Tagle talks to pelvic floor physical therapist Janelle Frederick about how to communicate with sex partners about it, when to see a doctor or physi
Don't stop exercising just because you're pregnant
Don't stop exercising just because you're pregnant Aug 4, 2026 1779 Many people pause physical activity during pregnancy -- but research shows that exercising while pregnant is good for your health and your baby's health. If you're unsure which kinds of exercise are on the table, fear not. Life Kit reporter Andee Tagle takes you through the workout guidance for each trimester and how you can physically prepare for your due date.Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekitS
Free yourself from 'information overload'
Free yourself from 'information overload' Jul 30, 2026 1426 Do you check your phone to set a reminder, then get sidetracked by every targeted social media ad? Or plan to spend your day in focus mode only to be derailed by your TV? We encounter dozens of screens everyday, each of them with an abundance of information calling for our attention. But there is a way to set better boundaries with your tech. This episode, Manoush Zomorodi, host of NPR's TED Radio
What to do when you're too upset to think straight
What to do when you're too upset to think straight Jul 23, 2026 1362 Stressed, anxious, or angry? Distress tolerance tools — from dunking your head in a bowl of ice water to imagining yourself in a calm setting — can help. In this episode, clinical psychologist Shireen Rizvi shares dialectical behavior therapy skills from the recent book she co-authored, Real Skills for Real Life. These physical and mental exercises can help you care for yourself, so you can think
Before you fibermaxx, know these tips
Before you fibermaxx, know these tips Jul 20, 2026 882 Fiber is a dietary superhero. It lowers cholesterol, helps regulate blood sugar levels and keeps your hunger in check. But chances are, you're not getting enough of it. NPR health correspondent (and fiber fanatic) Maria Godoy shares easy ways to up your fiber intake. Plus, the science of what fiber does in your body and how having more in your diet could help you. This episode was originally publi
Want to get pregnant? There’s more to it than you think
Want to get pregnant? There’s more to it than you think Jul 9, 2026 1571 Whether you’re ready to become pregnant today or thinking about the future, there’s a lot to learn about your fertility. In this episode, a reproductive endocrinologist and a reproductive psychiatrist walk through the basic factors that contribute to your ability to get pregnant — and explain the best ways to get your timing right.Sign up for Life Kit's skin care newsletter.Follow us on Instagram:
Scarfing down your food? How to be intentional about meals
Scarfing down your food? How to be intentional about meals Jul 6, 2026 1025 Eating more deliberately can help you make better choices about nourishing your body, says Lilian Cheung, a mindful eating lecturer at Harvard. She shares how to enjoy meals while paying attention. This episode originally published Sept. 11, 2023.Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekitSign up for our newsletter here.Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.orgSupport
Should I take a probiotic? And other gut questions, answered
Should I take a probiotic? And other gut questions, answered Jun 22, 2026 788 Research shows that our gut microbiome -- the trillions of microbes that populate our intestines -- isn't just involved in digestion. It's intimately linked to our immune systems, mental health, cognition and more. If you want to improve the health of your gut microbiome, there are specific best practices that can help. This episode, NPR health correspondent Will Stone shares tips on probiotic sup
Stop overthinking skin care. What's essential and what's hype
Stop overthinking skin care. What's essential and what's hype Jun 15, 2026 847 The list of skin care products being sold as “essential” can feel endless. What do all those serums, creams, acids and toners actually do — and do you need them? In this episode of Life Kit, host Marielle Segarra talks to health journalist Kelle Walsh, who just wrote a newsletter series for us on this topic.Sign up for Life Kit's skin care newsletter. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekitSign up for
How to have a safe, healthy summer
How to have a safe, healthy summer Jun 8, 2026 1078 Tips to help you thrive this season. We've got tips on how to effectively apply mosquito repellent (you need more than you think!), prevent tick bites, the safest place to position your grill, and keep everyone safe while swimming. Plus, advice on making a crave-worthy salad.Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekitSign up for our newsletter here.Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email
5 simple ways to minimize stress
5 simple ways to minimize stress Jun 4, 2026 1024 Need a break? Dr. Aditi Nerurkar, author of The 5 Resets, offers quick, easy ways to minimize stress in your daily life — no lavish vacations or big life changes necessary. This episode originally aired Feb. 6, 2024.Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekitSign up for our newsletter here.Have an episode idea or feedback you want to share? Email us at lifekit@npr.orgSupport the show and listen to it spon

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