Accessibility links
Life Kit Tools to help you get it together.
Life Kit

Life Kit

Tools To Help You Get It Together
What should you wear to run in the cold? Build an outfit with this paper doll

If you're going to exercise outside in cold weather, it's important to wear the proper clothes. Practice gearing up by printing out this paper doll below and adding layers depending on the temperature and conditions where you live. Paper doll illustration by Malaka Gharib/NPR; Photograph by Becky Harlan/NPR hide caption

toggle caption
Paper doll illustration by Malaka Gharib/NPR; Photograph by Becky Harlan/NPR

Life Kit

What should you wear to run in the cold? Build an outfit with this paper doll

Athlete and activist Alison Mariella Désir and sports medicine specialist Dr. Kelechi Okoroha explain how runners should dress when temperatures drop to the 50s, 30s and below.

What should you wear to run in the cold? Build an outfit with this paper doll

Listen · 14:49
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1150101665/1150105054" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
A meal prep influencer shares 6 of his favorite cooking hacks
Compassionate Eye Foundation/Ste/Getty Images

Life Kit

A meal prep influencer shares 6 of his favorite cooking hacks

What's for dinner? It's a question that can lead to overspending on delivery, unhealthy meals and dread. FitMenCook founder Kevin Curry shares meal prep techniques that can alleviate stress and save money.

A meal prep influencer shares 6 of his favorite cooking hacks

Listen · 15:09
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1152155481/1152559056" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
What kind of perfectionist are you? Take this 7-question quiz to find out
Connie Hanzhang Jin/NPR

Life Kit

What kind of perfectionist are you? Take this 7-question quiz to find out

Are you a 'Parisian perfectionist'? How about a 'messy perfectionist'? Psychotherapist Katherine Morgan Schafler believes there are 5 kinds of perfectionists in the world. Find out which one you are.

What kind of perfectionist are you? Take this 7-question quiz to find out

Listen · 21:21
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1151414475/1152189385" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Dear Life Kit: My 10-year-old bullies my 8-year-old. How do I make it stop?
Photograph by Michael Blann/ Getty Images; Collage by NPR

Dear Life Kit

Dear Life Kit: My 10-year-old bullies my 8-year-old. How do I make it stop?

​A sister relentlessly picks on her brother despite their mom's best attempt to make peace between them. Psychologist Becky Kennedy shares advice with a parent who feels out of ideas — and patience.

Dear Life Kit: My 10-year-old bullies my 8-year-old. How do I make it stop?

Listen · 11:23
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1151381439/1151383976" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
I revamped my personal brand using this 5-step process. Here's how it went.
We Are/Getty Images

Perspective

Life Kit

I revamped my personal brand using this 5-step process. Here's how it went.

Life Kit's Andee Tagle talks to networking coach Lynda Peralta about how to present her personal life and her professional life on Instagram. See how her experiment went, then try it out for yourself.

I revamped my personal brand using this 5-step process. Here's how it went.

Listen · 19:23
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1145024670/1147530330" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
7 tiny hacks that can improve your to-do list
Photo Illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR

Perspective

Life Kit

7 tiny hacks that can improve your to-do list

Is your to-do list helping you reach your goals? Or is it holding you back? Productivity experts explain how to level up your list so it prioritizes what matters.

7 tiny hacks that can improve your to-do list

Listen · 13:37
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1145019667/1147036027" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Anti-fatness keeps fat people on the margins, says Aubrey Gordon

Writer Aubrey Gordon wants to change the way people think and talk about fatness, including how the word "fat" is used. Beth Olson/Beacon Press hide caption

toggle caption
Beth Olson/Beacon Press

Anti-fatness keeps fat people on the margins, says Aubrey Gordon

In her new book You Just Need To Lose Weight and 19 Other Myths About Fat People, Aubrey Gordon tackles the biases and myths that she says keep fat people on the margins of society.

Anti-fatness keeps fat people on the margins, says Aubrey Gordon

Listen · 19:35
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1148169767/1149578555" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
5 New Year's resolutions to reduce your carbon footprint
Photographs by Becky Harlan/NPR; Matteo De Stefano/Getty Images; pixelfit/Getty Images; Collage by Becky Harlan/NPR

Life Kit

5 New Year's resolutions to reduce your carbon footprint

Lowering individual greenhouse emissions may be easier than you think. Here are some New Year's resolutions experts agree have an impact in addressing climate change.

5 New Year's resolutions to reduce your carbon footprint

Listen · 8:23
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1149021742/1149028601" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Dear Life Kit: I'm tired of my boyfriend's lack of ambition — and his gaming habit
Photographs by Ussama Azam and Clay Banks/Unsplash; Collage by Becky Harlan/NPR

Perspective

Dear Life Kit

Dear Life Kit: I'm tired of my boyfriend's lack of ambition — and his gaming habit

Can you successfully motivate someone else to change? Clinical psychologist Jody Adewale shares advice with a letter writer feels put off by her partner's lack of direction.

Dear Life Kit: I'm tired of my boyfriend's lack of ambition — and his gaming habit

Listen · 11:03
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1148360497/1148422860" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Food waste is a big problem. These small changes can help

There are steps you can take to reduce food waste while prepping, shopping and cooking. Yuki Iwamura/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Yuki Iwamura/AFP via Getty Images

Food waste is a big problem. These small changes can help

Over one-third of the food produced in the U.S. goes uneaten, harming people's wallets and the climate. Here are some steps you can take in your supermarket and kitchen to cut back on waste.

Food waste is a big problem. These small changes can help

Listen · 1:51
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1148063039/1148063040" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Don't 'get' art? You might be looking at it wrong
Malaka Gharib/ NPR

Life Kit

Don't 'get' art? You might be looking at it wrong

Everyone can have a profound connection with a work of art. You just need the right mindset and attitude. Art professionals share tips on how to navigate museums and observe paintings and sculptures.

Don't 'get' art? You might be looking at it wrong

Listen · 18:33
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1147239071/1147241588" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
The decluttering philosophy that can help you keep your home organized
Andrea D'Aquino for NPR

The decluttering philosophy that can help you keep your home organized

Got piles of stuff you just can't seem to get rid of? Professional organizer Star Hansen explains how to let go of unnecessary items – and keep your home neat and tidy.

The decluttering philosophy that can help you keep your home organized

Listen · 20:12
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1144110063/1144356307" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
How to be a better movie watcher, according to film critics (plus a handy brochure!)
Malaka Gharib/ NPR

How to be a better movie watcher, according to film critics (plus a handy brochure!)

This guide — which comes with a fun brochure you can download and print at home — offers advice on how to pick a film, get outside your comfort zone and deepen your enjoyment of movies.

How to be a better movie watcher, according to film critics (plus a handy brochure!)

Listen · 20:59
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1143623199/1144241453" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Reach out and listen: How to help someone at risk of suicide
Maria Fabrizio for NPR

Shots - Health News

Reach out and listen: How to help someone at risk of suicide

What can you do when you fear someone you know may be considering suicide? It can feel daunting, but suicide prevention experts say we all can help someone at risk by reaching out and showing we care.

Reach out and listen: How to help someone at risk of suicide

Listen · 19:35
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/707686101/1144987811" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
My in-laws nitpick at me and my partner's life choices. How can we get along?
Jasjyot Singh Hans for NPR

Life Kit

My in-laws nitpick at me and my partner's life choices. How can we get along?

Creating a relationship with your partner's family can be hard work. Experts share how to navigate 5 tricky situations, including dealing with in-laws who can't seem to stop giving unsolicited advice.

My in-laws nitpick at me and my partner's life choices. How can we get along?

Listen · 24:24
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1141872654/1141877975" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Dear Life Kit: We bought a dog instead of rescuing one. It cost me a friend
Photograph by Ethan Richardson/Unsplash; Collage by NPR

Opinion

Dear Life Kit

Dear Life Kit: We bought a dog instead of rescuing one. It cost me a friend

An ideological difference over adopting versus shopping for a pet causes a rift between friends. Tania Israel, a professor of psychology, shares advice about how to have difficult conversations with people you care about.

Dear Life Kit: We bought a dog instead of rescuing one. It cost me a friend

Listen · 11:09
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1142628174/1142909905" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
When to let go of old family traditions — and create new ones
Prianko Biswas / EyeEm / Getty Images

Life Kit

When to let go of old family traditions — and create new ones

Traditions can foster a sense of unity with the people we love and help pass down cultural values. But what happens when these events no longer make sense in our lives?

When to let go of old family traditions — and create new ones

Listen · 20:52
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1141464706/1141481759" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
8 listeners share the powerful ways they keep in touch with their ancestors

Marina Heintze creates artwork to pay tribute to the family members she lost during the Holocaust. This piece is titled "Nana Rocks." Courtesy of Marina Heintze hide caption

toggle caption
Courtesy of Marina Heintze

Perspective

8 listeners share the powerful ways they keep in touch with their ancestors

Last month, we asked our audience to tell us how they stay connected to their late loved ones. They tell us about the objects they keep, the altars they built and how they pay their respects.

8 listeners share the powerful ways they keep in touch with their ancestors

Listen · 23:38
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1139531897/1141199800" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Browse archive or search npr.org