Life Kit

By NPR

What's Life Kit about?

Everyone needs a little help being a human. From sleep to saving money to parenting and more, we talk to the experts to get the best advice out there. Life Kit is here to help you get it together.

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LAST EPISODE

How to cope with seasonal a...

01.27.2022

It's getting darker and colder, and there's still a pandemic. Oh, and then there's seasonal affective disorder. Here's how to spot it and what you can do. (This episode originally aired in October 2020.)

Life Kit episodes:

01.27.2022 How to cope with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) It's getting darker and colder, and there's still a pandemic. Oh, and then there's seasonal affective disorder. Here's how to spot it and what you can do. (This episode originally aired in October 2020.)
01.25.2022 Dog training 101 — How to set realistic goals and where to get started If you recently searched the internet for "dog trainers near me," there's a good chance you became immediately overwhelmed by the options, certifications and vocabulary. There is a lot of information out there! So we consulted some experts on where ...
01.24.2022 How to make sure you're paid for your time and work Time is money. But often, especially in the creative industries, trying to advance your career can mean literally selling yourself short. It's commonplace, borderline expected depending on where you are in your career, to have to offer time and labor ...
01.20.2022 The case for being ordinary For those in emerging adulthood, there's endless pressure from all sides to chase an extraordinary standard in every aspect of life. But writer Rainesford Stauffer says the so-called milestones are more unrealistic than ever. Now's the time for creativity and ...
01.18.2022 How to talk to your Latinx parents about mental health Shame and stigma play a huge role in discouraging folks in the Latinx community from seeking mental health care — and talking about it with their families. These steps can help you prepare for the conversation with your loved ones.
01.17.2022 Need to make a change in your life? Behavioral science can help When's the best time to start a new habit? And what makes some stick while others fall by the wayside? Behavioral scientist Katy Milkman's new book, How to Change, breaks down the research about how to leverage human nature instead ...
01.15.2022 How to talk about the COVID vaccine with people who are hesitant Infectious disease specialist Dr. Jasmine Marcelin shares how she has conversations about the COVID-19 vaccine with people who have doubts about getting vaccinated. (A version of this episode originally aired on NPR's Short Wave.)
01.13.2022 How to make ethical investing work for you Money talks, but how do you make sure your money is sending the right message? Ethical investing isn't magic, but it's one way to try and put your money where your morals are. Here's what you need to know before ...
01.11.2022 How to work through a creative rut Do you ever try to be creative but struggle to find that spark? This episode explains how to escape that creative rut — and it all starts with taking intentional breaks.
01.10.2022 How to enjoy single life Singlehood is not the waiting room of life. It's unfair to think single people can't create meaningful lives that are filled with purpose and love. We promise no cheesy advice, but rather tips for how to find peace with singleness ...
01.08.2022 A pediatrician's advice on omicron, daycare and travel for kids under 5 Amid the omicron surge, there is understandable anxiety among parents, particularly those with kids under 5. In this episode, infectious disease doctor Ibukun Kalu answers listeners' questions on the latest COVID variant, daycare and travel for unvaccinated children.
01.07.2022 How to curb money avoidance and face financial woes head-on If you wince every time you open up your credit card app or feel stressed just thinking about personal finances, here's how to curb money avoidance and train your brain to face your money woes head-on.
01.04.2022 How to divest from diet culture In 2021, nearly half of all New Year's resolutions in the U.S. were based on weight loss. Why do we set these goals for ourselves? Diet culture, the social expectations that value thinness and appearance above all else can impact ...
01.03.2022 Mindfulness For Beginners It's counterintuitive, but an effective way to manage our negative reactions to life's stressors actually involves slowing down and paying very close attention. Jon Kabat-Zinn, the founder of mindfulness-based stress reduction, explains how to begin a meditation practice — and ...
12.30.2021 When it comes to exercise, "all movements count" Feeling blocked with it comes to starting an exercise habit? You can actually get the health benefits of exercise with just 22 minutes of exercise a day — and you might be surprised what "counts" as exercise. Kiss your excuses ...
12.28.2021 How to give the perfect toast It's the wild card of every big event — the toast. If you're giving a new year's toast, a best man or maid of honor speech, or any other toasts this coming year, we've got some tips to make sure ...
12.27.2021 6 tips on taking a break from drinking Thinking about taking a break from drinking? Here are ways to help you make a plan, navigate tricky social situations and reassess your relationship with alcohol so you can experience the benefits of dry January. (This episode originally aired in ...
12.23.2021 How solitude can help you regulate your mood Everyone needs a little alone time, but during this pandemic, you may have felt like you had too much "me" time or not enough. Let's get that balance back! This episode breaks down research behind what makes even small bouts ...
12.21.2021 How to give thoughtful holiday gifts on a budget Holiday gift exchanges can feel like a burden, especially if you're shopping on a budget. Here are tips from a shopping expert on how to give more thoughtful presents — without breaking the bank. (This episode originally aired in December ...
12.20.2021 Your questions on holiday anxieties, answered by psychologist Andrea Bonior We asked for your questions on navigating the holiday blues. Clinical psychologist Andrea Bonior guides us through some rough patches involving family, money, loneliness and safety.
12.18.2021 What happens in our brain when we grieve — and how it helps us stay afloat When we lose a loved one, it can feel like we've lost a part of ourselves. And for good reason, our brains are learning how to live in this world without someone we care about in it. In this episode, ...
12.17.2021 How to shop for sustainable holiday gifts Shopping secondhand can ease the environmental burden of holiday consumption — and save you money, too. Here are three tips to help you start cutting down this season.
12.16.2021 How to squash negative self-talk Being self-critical comes naturally for a lot of people. It's easy to focus on the one bad review or the tiny flaw in an otherwise perfect presentation. Psychologist Joy Harden Bradford walks us through some strategies to quiet down those ...
12.14.2021 How to host a meaningful holiday gathering Hosting family and friends during the holidays can be stressful, but it doesn't need to be. Conflict resolution facilitator Priya Parker discusses ways anyone can host a meaningful, memorable gathering. (This episode originally aired in July 2021.)
12.13.2021 Omicron variant, COVID booster shots — and how to stay safe during the holidays The holiday season is well underway, and with it, a fresh batch of worries over the latest COVID-19 variant, omicron. For those planning end-of-year celebrations and travel, NPR senior science and health correspondent Maria Godoy breaks down the latest coronavirus ...
12.10.2021 How to talk about money with friends, from planning a hangout to splitting the bill Talking about money and privilege with friends can be awkward. Author Otegha Uwagba discusses how we can break that ice — before it's time to split the check.
12.07.2021 How to stop being late People are late for lots of reasons — being overly optimistic, not accurately gauging how much time it takes to actually get somewhere, even being afraid of being early. Time management coach Rashelle Isip shares some tactics that can help ...
12.06.2021 Coping with grief during the holidays As we inch toward the holidays, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Tracy K. Smith shares how she's processing grief, a subject at the center of much of her work. (This episode originally aired in December 2020.)
12.04.2021 How to be a kinder, more caring neighbor What does it mean to be a good neighbor? From Daniel Tiger's Neighbor's world of make-believe to Winnipeg, here's how to plug into your community and practice kindness.
11.30.2021 How to decide if freezing your eggs is right for you — and where to get started Freezing your eggs can open doors for your fertility. It's also emotional, time-consuming and expensive. Here are some things to think about before you decide to freeze your eggs — and what to know if you do, including how much ...
11.29.2021 How to give good advice by less fixing, more listening When someone comes to you for advice, where do you start? This episode explores how to give good advice to the people you care about. Hint: It's not always about fixing someone's problems.
11.25.2021 How To Have Meaningful Conversations At Holiday Gatherings Having good conversations is an art form. To help you out at end-of-year gatherings, NPR's Sam Sanders tapped longtime radio host and podcaster Celeste Headlee for her tips for really listening and connecting.
11.23.2021 How To Make Tastier, Prettier Pies, According To A Self-taught Pie Artist Just in time for Thanksgiving, self-taught baker Lauren Ko shares her tips for making tastier — and more beautiful — pies.
11.22.2021 This Thanksgiving, You Can Carry On Family Recipes In Your Own Way Making a family recipe for the first time can be daunting. Will it turn out just like you remembered? For those cooking for the holidays, podcaster Noor Wazwaz walks us through what to remember in the kitchen.
11.19.2021 How To Document Family Stories Learning stories about our loved ones helps us to better understand the trajectory of their lives — and it helps us make sense of our own story. Here are five tips to guide you as you document your family history.
11.16.2021 Remembering Petra Mayer: Everyone's a 'real writer.' Here's how to write that book Beloved books editor Petra Mayer believed that all you have to do to be a 'real writer' is to write. We're re-running this episode in honor of Petra who died on Saturday. We hope Petra's generosity, wit and passion for ...
11.15.2021 Here's How To Simplify Your Thanksgiving Menu This Thanksgiving, New York Times food writer Eric Kim is on a mission to help you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your food and your company. These tips and recipes will help you cook smarter, ...
11.12.2021 Suleika Jaouad On Working Through Isolation And Life's Interruptions Writer Suleika Jaouad has made a career out of covering folks living in the 'in between' spaces — starting with herself. Diagnosed with leukemia at 22, she embraced writing as a way to regain narrative control of her life. She ...
11.11.2021 5 Tips For Transferring Colleges Most students who want to transfer colleges don't. The process can be complicated and confusing and differ from state to state and institution to institution. Despite these hurdles, transferring is a common route to a four-year college. So how do ...
11.08.2021 How To Build A Sleep Routine For You And Your Children Creating healthy sleeping habits starts from having a consistent routine. This can include anything you and your family need from a specific bed time to an optimal bedroom setup.
11.05.2021 How To Wake Up Early, Even If You're Not A Morning Person Waking up at dawn with the bakers and the baristas may not be for everyone — especially night owls. Whether you have to wake up early or you'd like to become more of a morning lark, here are a few ...
11.02.2021 What To Do When There's A Flash Flood Warning While You're Driving What should you do when there's a flash flood warning, while you're driving? In this episode, we'll walk you through how you can best prepare to stay safe during the heavy rain.
11.01.2021 How To Start A Budget. (And Why You Might Actually Enjoy It) Whether you're paying down credit cards or saving for daily necessities, the best place to start is with a budget. Some simple tools can help. (This episode first ran in November 2019.)
10.30.2021 From Family Planning To Recycling: Your Climate Questions Answered Ahead of the U.N. climate talks in Glasgow this weekend, we're sharing this episode from our friends at It's Been A Minute with Sam Sanders. In this episode, Sam chats with climate experts Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, marine biologist and writer, ...
10.28.2021 Your guide to a simple skin care routine Your skin is your largest organ. If you want to care for it without getting sucked into a wormhole of pharmacological-sounding jargon, this guide to building a basic skin care routine is for you.
10.26.2021 How To Learn A New Skill It can be incredibly gratifying to harness mastery of a skill. But why is learning new things so hard? In this episode, we'll explore that question and give you three steps to start learning something new. Now all you need ...
10.25.2021 Climate Anxiety Is Real. Here's How To Address It Feeling anxious about the climate crisis is a totally normal response, says ecotherapist Phoenix Smith. Here's how you can manage those feelings for the long haul.
10.21.2021 Inbox Zero Isn't The Goal Anymore. Try Inbox Infinity Unread emails can be a source of anxiety for a lot of people. So instead of trying to read, filter or delete everything in your inbox, what if you just ignored it?
10.19.2021 Finding Agency With A Birth Plan Having a birth plan can prepare you for pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. Here's what to keep in mind as you start to put yours together.
10.18.2021 How To Choose A Health Insurance Plan Open enrollment is back again and with it, the many confusing health insurance terms. Here are some of those terms defined to help you choose the best plan for you.

Older episodes

Life Kit

What's Life Kit about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Life Kit episodes:

How to cope with seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

Dog training 101 — How to set realistic goals and where to get started

How to make sure you're paid for your time and work

The case for being ordinary

How to talk to your Latinx parents about mental health

Need to make a change in your life? Behavioral science can help

How to talk about the COVID vaccine with people who are hesitant

How to make ethical investing work for you

How to work through a creative rut

How to enjoy single life

A pediatrician's advice on omicron, daycare and travel for kids under 5

How to curb money avoidance and face financial woes head-on

How to divest from diet culture

Mindfulness For Beginners

When it comes to exercise, "all movements count"

How to give the perfect toast

6 tips on taking a break from drinking

How solitude can help you regulate your mood

How to give thoughtful holiday gifts on a budget

Your questions on holiday anxieties, answered by psychologist Andrea Bonior

What happens in our brain when we grieve — and how it helps us stay afloat

How to shop for sustainable holiday gifts

How to squash negative self-talk

How to host a meaningful holiday gathering

Omicron variant, COVID booster shots — and how to stay safe during the holidays

How to talk about money with friends, from planning a hangout to splitting the bill

How to stop being late

Coping with grief during the holidays

How to be a kinder, more caring neighbor

How to decide if freezing your eggs is right for you — and where to get started

How to give good advice by less fixing, more listening

How To Have Meaningful Conversations At Holiday Gatherings

How To Make Tastier, Prettier Pies, According To A Self-taught Pie Artist

This Thanksgiving, You Can Carry On Family Recipes In Your Own Way

How To Document Family Stories

Remembering Petra Mayer: Everyone's a 'real writer.' Here's how to write that book

Here's How To Simplify Your Thanksgiving Menu

Suleika Jaouad On Working Through Isolation And Life's Interruptions

5 Tips For Transferring Colleges

How To Build A Sleep Routine For You And Your Children

How To Wake Up Early, Even If You're Not A Morning Person

What To Do When There's A Flash Flood Warning While You're Driving

How To Start A Budget. (And Why You Might Actually Enjoy It)

From Family Planning To Recycling: Your Climate Questions Answered

Your guide to a simple skin care routine

How To Learn A New Skill

Climate Anxiety Is Real. Here's How To Address It

Inbox Zero Isn't The Goal Anymore. Try Inbox Infinity

Finding Agency With A Birth Plan

How To Choose A Health Insurance Plan

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