Life Kit: Health

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

Episodes

What to know about prostate cancer

December 8, 2025 • 23 mins

About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Most of the time, diagnosis happens through routine screenings. This episode, we discuss risk factors for prostate cancer, how to get screened and what you can do if you are diagnosed.

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How to optimize your circadian rhythm

December 4, 2025 • 15 mins

There's research showing that too much light at night and not enough daylight is taking years off our lives. NPR health correspondent Will Stone has tips to tune up your body's internal clock. This episode originally published December 17, 2024.

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It's OK to run slow AF

November 27, 2025 • 24 mins

Martinus Evans, author of Slow AF Run Club: The Ultimate Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Run, explains why anyone who wants to run can run. He shares tips on gear, training programs and what he calls "sexy pace." This episode originally aired on June 22, 2023.

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5 fitness and mental health tips for men

November 17, 2025 • 24 mins

Why is muscle power so important? What do you really need to know about your testosterone levels? What are some free, research-backed tools for managing depression? Brett McKay, founder and editor-in-chief of The Art of Manliness, an independent men's health and lifestyle web magazine, shares top health tips. Whether you identify as a man or not, he says a lot of this advice can help us all live healthier lives.

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Having good posture doesn't just mean sitting up straight

November 11, 2025 • 19 mins

Does your back hurt after a long day at your desk? Do you wake up with a sore neck every morning? Muscle aches in your body could be a sign you need to improve your posture. This episode, a physical therapist and a biomechanist break down what "good posture" looks like and how you can begin to correct yours. This episode originally published Feb. 2, 2025.

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How to get lower prices on prescription drugs

November 3, 2025 • 19 mins

Prescription drug prices can be costly. What are you supposed to do if you can't afford medication? In this episode, Dan Weissmann, host of KUOW's podcast Read more

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Do collagen supplements really work?

October 27, 2025 • 15 mins

Collagen supplements have been widely promoted on social media, with claims that they'll strengthen hair and nails, lessen wrinkles and even ease joint pain. But are there studies backing these claims? NPR health correspondent Maria Godoy dives into the research and shares science-backed tips for better skin that are more effective.

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

October 20, 2025 • 21 mins

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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How to support a loved one through cancer treatment

October 7, 2025 • 21 mins

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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Why anxiety is a superpower

September 23, 2025 • 19 mins

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 publi...

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What to do when your health insurance denies coverage

September 18, 2025 • 22 mins

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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Debunking sleep myths

September 15, 2025 • 16 mins

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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A head to toe check in for the fall

September 4, 2025 • 22 mins

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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Boost your mood in 15 minutes

September 1, 2025 • 23 mins

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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How to deal with intrusive thoughts

August 25, 2025 • 20 mins

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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Ouch, I've got a crick! Neck pain 101

August 21, 2025 • 26 mins

Have you ever woken up with a crick in your neck after a bad night's sleep? Or feel like you can't rotate your head? Many people will experience neck pain at some point in life. Luckily, there are science-backed treatments and exercises to ease those nagging aches. This episode, a spine surgeon, sports medicine doctor, sleep expert and physical therapist give tips on working through neck pain.

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How to avoid counterfeit and unsafe products online

August 4, 2025 • 21 mins

Nearly 70 percent of people were deceived into buying a counterfeit product online at least once last year, according to research from Michigan State University. And buying knockoff versions of products can be dangerous. Kari Kammel, the director at the Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection at Michigan State University, shares tips for how to avoid counterfeit and unsafe products, especially online. This episode ori...

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Are seed oils really bad for you? Researchers unpack RFK Jr.'s claims

July 31, 2025 • 15 mins

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and others have said that seed oils, like soybean, corn and sunflower oils, are poisoning Americans. But what does the research say? NPR health correspondent Maria Godoy speaks with nutrition and fatty acids scientists about the most common concerns with seed oils.

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How to crave movement more than screen time

July 10, 2025 • 19 mins

Oftentimes, it's easier to scroll through our phones than do some squats. So what can we do to motivate ourselves to pick movement? In this episode of Life Kit, we speak with clinical psychologist Diana Hill and movement specialist Katy Bowman about how to retrain your brain to crave physical activity more than your phone.

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How to avoid mosquito bites

July 8, 2025 • 22 mins

In this episode of Life Kit, reporter Andee Tagle talks to entomologist Sammy Ramsey and environmental health professor Brian Byrd about why some people get bitten more than others, which ingredients to seek in bug repellents and what you can do to protect yourself against those itchy bites.

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Life Kit: Health

Episodes

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.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}How to optimize your circadian rhythm

It's OK to run slow AF

5 fitness and mental health tips for men

Having good posture doesn't just mean sitting up straight

How to get lower prices on prescription drugs

Do collagen supplements really work?

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

How to support a loved one through cancer treatment

Why anxiety is a superpower

What to do when your health insurance denies coverage

Debunking sleep myths

A head to toe check in for the fall

Boost your mood in 15 minutes

How to deal with intrusive thoughts

Ouch, I've got a crick! Neck pain 101

How to avoid counterfeit and unsafe products online

Are seed oils really bad for you? Researchers unpack RFK Jr.'s claims

How to crave movement more than screen time

How to avoid mosquito bites

Popular Podcasts

What to know about prostate cancer

How to optimize your circadian rhythm