Taking care of yourself shouldn't be complicated. We talk to the experts for practical advice to live a long and healthy life, based on science. Updated every time Life Kit posts an episode on health and wellness.Want another life hack? Try Life Kit+. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks an exclusive sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/lifekit
Latest episodes
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21 min
How to stock your medicine cabinet for cold and flu season
We can't prevent you from getting sick this year, but we can help you prepare. In this episode, we talk to a doctor and a pharmacist about their medicine cabinet must-haves, how to…
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16 min
It's open enrollment season. Here's how to make the best decision for you
Picking a health insurance plan can be confusing and frustrating. There are endless acronyms and it's hard to predict what your health needs will be in six months. This episode, we…
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23 min
A head-to-toe check in for your health
Fall is officially here. Why not use this new season as a chance to check in with your health? This episode of Life Kit, medical professionals share advice to help you care for you…
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24 min
Is IVF actually right for you?
Interested in having a baby outside of the bedroom? In vitro fertilization is just one of many options on the reproductive technology table. This episode, Life Kit reporter Andee T…
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22 min
How to stop fixating on your body in the era of GLP-1s
It can be difficult to love how your body looks, or even like it. But what if you could expand the way you think about your body? This episode, psychologist Diana Hill shares how t…
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18 min
Is hormone therapy the cheat code to perimenopause?
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 treatin…
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24 min
If sex is painful, you have options
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…
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30 min
Don't stop exercising just because you're pregnant
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 kin…
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24 min
Free yourself from 'information overload'
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 encoun…
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23 min
What to do when you're too upset to think straight
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…
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15 min
Before you fibermaxx, know these tips
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…
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26 min
Want to get pregnant? There’s more to it than you think
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 repro…
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17 min
Scarfing down your food? How to be intentional about meals
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…
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13 min
Should I take a probiotic? And other gut questions, answered
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,…
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14 min
Stop overthinking skin care. What's essential and what's hype
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…
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18 min
How to have a safe, healthy summer
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…
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17 min
5 simple ways to minimize stress
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 ep…
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22 min
The dos and don'ts of taking over-the-counter pain medications
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,…
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20 min
Are there 'forever chemicals' in your drinking water?
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 disea…
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23 min
5 tips to help you poop better
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 bathro…