Life Kit: Health

Explore the benefits of napping for memory and athletic performance. Learn about the factors of the perfect nap and the importance of daytime rest. Discover tips for mastering the art of napping, understanding sleep phases, and implementing napping strategies for better rest.

Dr. Aditi Nerurkar offers five accessible ways to minimize stress in your daily life — no lavish vacations or big life changes necessary.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Want fresher, cleaner air at home? Researchers share practical tips from researchers on how to clean your house (and your air), test your air quality and change your habits to limit indoor air pollution. This episode originally aired on May 9th, 2023.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

A gastroenterologist and a caffeine researcher debunk myths about caffeine, exploring its positive effects on liver, diabetes, stroke risk, Parkinson's disease, headaches, and more. They clarify that caffeine increases alertness but does not provide energy. They discuss the effects of caffeine on sleep, dental health, weight gain, and heart health. The podcast offers tips on maintaining a healthy relationship with caffeine and recognizing personal sensitivities.

Learn how discomfort can be a warning sign and affect physical and mental health. Discover techniques to manage overwhelming feelings, name emotions, and build resilience through self-reflection and facing distress.

Life happens. Sometimes we get injured or sick — and of course we get older. As we change, so should our exercise routine. Here's how to adapt your fitness plan to meet your body where it is.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Whether your stress manifests in your mind, body or behavior (or maybe all three) there are ways to find relief quickly. Clinical psychologist Jenny Taitz talks about some of the 75 evidence-based tips from her book Stress Resets: How to Soothe Your Body and Mind in Minutes.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Debunking sleep myths and highlighting the importance of sleep timing and natural sunlight. Exploring myths like functioning well on little sleep and lasting effects of sleep deprivation. Tips for better sleep including avoiding phone use in bed and keeping the bedroom cool.

Discover the benefits of reframing what counts as exercise and debunk common misconceptions about effective workouts. Learn about the misconception that exercise needs to be intense and extreme to be effective, and discover the health benefits of even small amounts of exercise. Explore the importance of starting small when it comes to exercise and using a ladder as a metaphor for building up fitness. Discuss the importance of finding exercise routines and locations that make you feel good rather than forcing yourself to do something that makes you feel bad.

In this engaging discussion, Alison Aubrey, an NPR correspondent with over 20 years of health reporting, unfolds the secrets to sticking to your New Year's resolutions. She introduces the SMART goal framework, emphasizing the importance of making goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Listeners learn how to uncover their core motivations using techniques like the 'five whys' and the value of tracking progress. Aubrey also tackles the challenges of managing distractions and email overload while promoting focused intentional goal-setting.