Episodes

  • How to take a refreshing nap (without ending up more tired)

    How to take a refreshing nap (without ending up more tired)
    Oct 20 2025
    Naps can offer significant benefits, from emotional regulation to improving memory and athletic performance. But there are right and wrong ways to snooze. A sleep psychologist and a sleep physician explain the factors of the perfect nap and the importance of daytime rest. This episode originally published Feb. 26, 2024.


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    21 mins
  • How to support a loved one through cancer treatment

    How to support a loved one through cancer treatment
    Oct 7 2025
    If you have a friend or family member diagnosed with cancer or another serious illness, all you want to do is help. But where do you start? What if you say the wrong thing or don't show up in the right ways? In this episode, we go over different ways to offer support. No matter what your strengths are, we have ideas to get you started.

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    21 mins
  • Why anxiety is a superpower

    Why anxiety is a superpower
    Sep 23 2025
    As bad as it feels, anxiety is essential, says psychotherapist Britt Frank, author of The Science of Stuck. It can be a helpful warning signal that something is off, or even dangerous. But when anxiety hits, it's hard to remember its importance. In this episode, Frank explains what we can do to feel more centered when we anxiety makes us feel overwhelmed -- so we can listen to what it's telling us. This episode was originally published on May 23, 2023.


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    19 mins
  • What to do when your health insurance denies coverage

    What to do when your health insurance denies coverage
    Sep 18 2025

    What happens when you get a medical bill for something your insurance should have covered? KFF Health News reporter Jackie Fortiér outlines who talk to, what to say and how to appeal a denial from your insurance company.Have a question about navigating the health care system? Contact us here and you might be part of an upcoming episode of Health Care Helpline. Follow us on Instagram: @nprlifekit
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    22 mins
  • Debunking sleep myths

    Debunking sleep myths
    Sep 15 2025
    There are a lot of misconceptions about sleep. Sleep scientist Rebecca Robbins and her colleagues looked into common myths about sleep to help everyone get a better night's rest. This episode originally published Janaury 9, 2024.


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    17 mins
  • A head to toe check in for the fall

    A head to toe check in for the fall
    Sep 4 2025
    It’s not just school kids that could use a back-to-school reset. Like those annual September doctor's check ups, this episode of Life Kit is here to help you check in with your body and get your bases covered. We bring you our favorite advice from an audiologist, an ophthalmologist, a dermatologist and more to get you feeling fresh going into the fall season.

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    23 mins
  • Boost your mood in 15 minutes

    Boost your mood in 15 minutes
    Sep 1 2025
    Sometimes you're just feeling blah: maybe the weather's bad, you can't get out of bed and you're struggling to shake off that listlessness. In these moments, the solution is often simpler than we think. This episode, NPR's Science desk and Life Kit staff present research-backed mood boosters to instantly shake yourself out of a slump and turn your day around. This episode originally published September 3, 2024.



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    24 mins
  • How to deal with intrusive thoughts

    How to deal with intrusive thoughts
    Aug 25 2025
    Have you ever had a disturbing thought pop up into your head? Thoughts that are distressing, repetitive and unwanted are called intrusive thoughts. NPR's Senior Visuals producer LA Johnson talks with a therapist and a researcher to figure out what these thoughts mean, where they come from and how best to handle them.

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    21 mins