Life Kit

Mortgage rates have dropped significantly in recent months, and that means one thing for those who bought a home in the last couple years: It might be time to refinance. You might save hundreds of dollars a month depending on how much you owe. Here's how to get the process started. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

It's important to feel good in your clothes. But when your body goes through big changes — say, you've just had a baby or are recovering from an illness, it can be hard to dress up in the morning. This episode will help you reframe your relationship with fashion — and give you the confidence to wear what you want. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list? Going through something really tough? Stress is a part of life — but we can learn to manage it. NPR health correspondent Allison Aubrey shares evidence-based skills from a research psychologist at Northwestern University aimed to bring more ease into your life. This episode is Part 1 of the new series, Stress Less: A Quest to Reclaim Your Calm. Click here to sign up for a month-long newsletter on this topic. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Plastic isn't great for your health or the planet. Here's what NPR's Claire Murashima learned from avoiding single-use plastics for a week. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Misinformation and disinformation undermine democracy by making it hard for people to make informed choices. It's also used to divide communities, scapegoat vulnerable populations and erode trust. Research shows people trust information more when it comes from sources or cultural contexts they're familiar with. This election season, help counter misinformation in your community by having conversations with your friends and family. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Meltdowns, refusing to share, hitting other kids. Every child has bad behavior sometimes. At home, it's easier to deal with. But what about in public? Psychologist Celina Benavides explains what to do in the moment — and how to get ahead of bad behavior. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

It's never too early to start putting away money for retirement. In this episode, Washington Post personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary explains how to start building your nest egg by setting savings goals and contributing funds to your retirement plan. This episode originally aired on October 5, 2020. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

There's more ways to exercise your right to vote than ever before. In this episode, NPR's voting and elections correspondent Miles Parks explains the ins and outs of casting your ballot and why it's simpler than you may think. Head to npr.org/vote for a state-by-state voter registration guide. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Whether you're Team Bath or Team Shower, there are some best practices to follow when it comes to cleaning your body. In this episode, dermatologists Sonia Batra and Michelle Henry share surprising insights on what it takes to wash your body right, from which soaps to use and how to keep your loofah or washcloth sanitary. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Sulhee Jessica Woo's love language is packing lunch. When she sends her three kids off to school, she includes themed lunches, snacks cut into cute shapes, and sweet notes to give them some support while they're away. If you want to level up your kid's school lunches, she has some suggestions. This episode, Sulhee Jessica Woo shares advice from her new cookbook, Let's Make Some Lunch: Recipes Made with Love for Everyone. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Loneliness can be just as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day — which means that having friends might literally save your life. But often, we don't pay friendships the respect they deserve compared to romantic or familial relationships. In this episode, reporter Kavitha George talks with psychologist and friendship expert Marisa Franco about how to make more friends and deepen our preexisting friendships. This episode was originally published Sept. 13, 2022. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Family and marriage expert Moraya Seeger DeGeare weighs in on questions from listeners who have reached a breaking point in their relationships with the people around them. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

TikTok users claim that drinking the "sleepy girl mocktail," a mixture of magnesium powder, tart cherry juice and other ingredients, can help you sleep. But does it really work? NPR's health correspondent Maria Godoy brings us the science behind the trend – and magnesium's effect on sleep. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Tossing out overripe avocados, wilted greens and sour milk isn't just costing you money — it's also contributing to climate change. In this episode, learn how to reduce your food waste with composting strategies and creative recipes. This episode originally published December 12, 2019. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

If math never quite stuck for you, Ben Orlin is here to change that. He says think of math as a language. Numbers are the nouns and the arithmetic operations are verbs. This episode, learning the language of math to help you in your day-to-day life. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Sometimes you're just feeling blah: 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. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Shaking hands, sending cold emails and asking for coffee can feel unnatural. Networking expert Robbie Samuels explains how to create meaningful job connections in more authentic ways. This episode originally published on October 2, 2022. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Even if you use a credit card all the time, it can be difficult to understand the ins and outs of how they work. Whether you're a new credit card owner or just want to make sure you're getting the most out of your card, this episode will walk through the fundamentals of the credit card game. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Today's teens struggle with perfectionism and mood swings, and their parents struggle to have hard conversations with them, according to a recent survey. Teen psychologist Lisa Damour explains how parents can better support their kids as a new school year begins. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Conflicts with neighbors are common. Trash, noise, parking, weeds — there are seemingly endless ways neighbors can get on each other's nerves. But it doesn't have to be that way. A mediator and a dispute resolution expert say that taking calm, measured steps to resolve conflict can lead to greater understanding and even harmony between you and the folks on your block. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy