Life Kit: Health

Explore the practice of cold plunging and its potential benefits for anxiety, mood improvement, and metabolic health. Learn how to get started safely and the recommended duration and frequency. Find useful tips for beginners, such as starting with short durations and using a cold bathtub.

In this podcast, they break down the complexities of health insurance plans, explaining terms like HMO and PPO. They also explore the distinctions between PPOs and HDHPs, and discuss tax benefits of health insurance plans, such as HSAs and FSAs. Additionally, they highlight the benefits of contributing to HSAs and FSAs, and provide information on determining tax rates and considering factors beyond cost when choosing a health insurance plan.

Learn how to save lives with CPR. Understand the basics of CPR, assessing unconsciousness, and performing chest compressions. Get instructions on how to use a device for CPR and the importance of continuing chest compressions. Recap on CPR techniques for adults and teenagers, including rescue breaths and encircling thumbs technique for children and infants.

Maria Godoy, an NPR science correspondent focused on health and nutrition, dives into the wonders of dietary fiber. She passionately shares eight simple ways to boost fiber intake, like snacking on popcorn. Discover the digestive benefits of increasing fiber gradually and staying hydrated. Godoy also outlines the connection between fiber and gut health, mental wellness, and its roles in preventing obesity and heart disease. Plus, get a printable grocery list of fiber-rich foods to enhance your meals!

Learn the benefits of eating slowly and mindfully, practical tips for incorporating mindfulness into meals, and strategies for mindful eating in different settings. The importance of chewing, taking small pauses, and managing time constraints are discussed. A guest's book on mindful eating provides additional tips.

Learn about the benefits of meal prepping, including stress reduction and cost savings. Discover tips for selecting staple ingredients, freezing meals for longer shelf life, and creating variety in your meals. Explore the concept of 'hero meals' and the importance of meal containers. Get advice on using the right equipment, such as a slow cooker, for meal prepping.

Learn how to protect your hearing and ears by adjusting phone volume, using effective earplugs, and checking for earwax problems. Understand the symptoms and impact of noise-induced hearing loss, conduct a hearing test, and follow guidelines for safe listening and ear care. Avoid excessive volumes, Q-tips for cleaning, and ineffective remedies. Don't miss out on previous episodes and sponsored messages!

Colorectal cancer cases are on the rise among young people. In this episode, we explain the risk, symptoms to look out for and how to get screened. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Many of us will experience back pain at some point in our lives. It might not disappear entirely, but you can find ways to comfortably perform everyday tasks like cooking. This episode offers strategies for minimizing your pain when making a meal – like chopping and loading an oven with minimal discomfort. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Play isn't just fun. Researchers argue it can help you adapt to difficult circumstances, collaborate better and problem-solve. We'll help you figure out your play personality and how to prioritize play in your life.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy