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Life Kit: Health

Life Kit: Health

NPR 251 Episodes Jul 23, 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

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
The dos and don'ts of taking over-the-counter pain medications
The dos and don'ts of taking over-the-counter pain medications May 18, 2026 1338 Ibuprofen, acetaminophen and aspirin — there are many over-the-counter pain medications available, but are they all the same? And how much should you really take? In this episode, pharmacists and a doctor cover your drug options, including side effects, dosage and what to reach for the next time you have a headache or fever. This episode was originally published on March 31, 2025.Follow us on Inst
Are there 'forever chemicals' in your drinking water?
Are there 'forever chemicals' in your drinking water? May 14, 2026 1174 According to the CDC, virtually all Americans have PFAS, or "forever chemicals," in our bodies. These manmade substances have been linked to cancer, high cholesterol, thyroid disease and more. This episode, take steps to reduce the buildup of these chemicals in your body with tips from reporter and host of the podcast Safe to Drink Mara Hoplamazian -- like getting special water filters and checkin
5 tips to help you poop better
5 tips to help you poop better May 11, 2026 1404 Think you know how to go No. 2? Think again. Dr. Trisha Pasricha, author of the new book You’ve Been Pooping All Wrong: How to Make Your Bowel Movements a Joy, shares common bathroom practices she wishes would go away — like holding your poop — and tips on how to reduce strain on the toilet.Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekitSign up for our newsletter here.Have an episode idea or feedback you want
Explosive power: exercises to boost mobility and prevent injury
Explosive power: exercises to boost mobility and prevent injury Apr 28, 2026 1088 Explosive power is the ability to generate a lot of force quickly. It combines strength and speed. We use it in our daily lives to walk up stairs, stand up from a chair, catch ourselves when we stumble, and play sports. In this episode: specific exercises to train for explosive power.Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekitSign up for our newsletter here.Have an episode idea or feedback you want to sha

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