Life Kit: Health

A visit to the gynecologist isn't just an essential part of your health routine. It's an opportunity to ask questions about your reproductive health, from birth control to painful periods to a decreased interest in sex. Dr. Rachel Bervell, co-founder of The Black OBGYN Project, explains how women and trans or non-binary people can structure their next visit — and get the answers they need.

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Taylor Swift claimed that "jet lag is a choice" at this year's Super Bowl. Sleep scientists like Jade Wu would like you to know they very much disagree. The disorder can throw your body clock out of whack and leave you feeling sluggish — not great when you're on a big vacation abroad. Wu explains how to make jet lag less miserable and more manageable.

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Approximately one in four adults has a fear of needles, according to the CDC. Many of those people say the phobia started when they were kids. Researchers developed a five step plan to prevent what they call "needless pain" for kids getting injections or their blood drawn. NPR's Short Wave talks with Dr. Stefan Friedrichsdorf of UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, who works with a team to implement the plan at his own hospital, about how to eliminate pain during shots.

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In the 1990s, colorectal cancer was the fourth-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Now, it's the first in men and second in women — and rates are rising among people under age 50. This episode, we explore how you can lower your risk and make sure you catch colorectal cancer early.

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People of all ages are at risk of noise-induced hearing loss, but few know how to protect against it. This episode, build out your ear care routine with the help of hearing experts — and get surprising advice on phone volume, noise exposure and Q-tips.

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Eye health is more than just an annual eye exam. Learn how to protect your eyes from screens, read your prescription and understand what does and does not affect your vision.

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Our bodies need protein to maintain muscle. That's important because muscle mass peaks in our 30s and then declines. In this episode, tips about understanding how much protein you really need.

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The popular weight loss drug Ozempic makes shedding pounds seem like magic. But the reality is more complicated, says family physician Dr. Mara Gordon. She explains why it's hard to talk about Ozempic without addressing weight stigma and diet culture.

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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.

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Dr. Aditi Nerurkar offers five accessible ways to minimize stress in your daily life — no lavish vacations or big life changes necessary.

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Want fresher, cleaner air at home? Researchers share practical tips from researchers on how to clean your house (and your air), test your air quality and change your habits to limit indoor air pollution. This episode originally aired on May 9th, 2023.

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Worry you're drinking too much coffee, tea, soda or energy drinks? A gastroenterologist and a caffeine researcher share surprising insights about the psychoactive drug — and explain why caffeine may not deserve its bad reputation. This episode originally aired on March 7, 2023.

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The feeling of discomfort has an important role to play. On one hand, it can be a helpful warning sign. On the other hand, too much of it can lead to distress. Dr. Kali Cyrus explains how to identify these emotions – and take action if it starts to affect your physical and mental health.

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Life happens. Sometimes we get injured or sick — and of course we get older. As we change, so should our exercise routine. Here's how to adapt your fitness plan to meet your body where it is.

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Whether your stress manifests in your mind, body or behavior (or maybe all three) there are ways to find relief quickly. Clinical psychologist Jenny Taitz talks about some of the 75 evidence-based tips from her book Stress Resets: How to Soothe Your Body and Mind in Minutes.

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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 sleep.

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You don't have to be a marathoner or a gym rat to get meaningful health benefits from exercise. And that sort of "go big or go home" mentality can actually be a block to getting movement. This episode, we bust common misconceptions about exercise so you can get moving in a way that feels good to you. This episode originally published December 15, 2018.

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Happy New Year! If you want to make a resolution that sticks, the key to success is creating what's known as a SMART goal. This episode outlines how SMART goals work and how they can help you use your time for the things that matter most.

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Running is a classic form of exercise for a reason. You don't need equipment or a gym membership and it provides cardiovascular benefits. But many people are told that running is not for them because of their body type. We talk to Martinus Evans, a running coach and the author of "Slow AF Run Club," about how you can start running in the body you have. This episode was originally published June 22, 2023.

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It's getting darker and colder, and there's still a pandemic. Oh, and then there's seasonal affective disorder. Here's how to spot it and what you can do. (This episode originally aired in October 2020.)

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Haven't pooped in days? Gastroenterologists explain what to do in this SOS moment — and share tips on how to avoid chronic constipation. This episode was originally published July 10, 2023.

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1 in 4 adults says they're lonely. The consequences of long-term social disconnection can be dire — everything from an increased risk of heart attacks to dementia and premature death. Primary care physician and author of the new book Project UnLonely Dr. Jeremy Nobel offers tips to feel less lonely and open up to connection again.

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How cold is too cold? What kind of gear should you wear? And how do you stay motivated to workout outside when the weather is dreary? Cold-loving runners and a doctor share their advice to get moving during the winter. This episode originally published January 19, 2023

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Dipping in cold water is a growing trend. It's not just for the thrill — people who cold plunge say it helps with anxiety, metabolic health and more. But is there science to support those claims?

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It's open enrollment season, meaning it's time to pick a health care plan. But it can be confusing to decipher all the acronyms and lingo of health care — so how do you pick the right health care plan for you? This episode, we break down commonly used terms and offer a strategy to help crunch the numbers.

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Every year, more than 350,000 people go into cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting in the United States. CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, can help double or triple survival rates. In this episode, we'll explain the basics of this emergency procedure so you can feel empowered to help in a life-or-death situation.

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NPR's Maria Godoy is a self-proclaimed fiber fanatic. She shares eight ways to add fiber to your diet (munch on popcorn!) and provides a grocery list of high-fiber foods that you can print out at home.

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Eating more deliberately can help you make better choices about nourishing your body, says Lilian Cheung, a mindful eating lecturer at Harvard. She shares how to enjoy meals while paying attention.

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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. This episode originally published January 31, 2023.

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If you find yourself in loud clubs, concerts or cities, you might be doing more damage to your hearing than you think. People of all ages are at risk for noise-induced hearing loss, but few of us know what to do about it. In this episode, how to protect your ears: what your phone volume should really be at, which earplugs work best and how to know if your earwax is actually a problem.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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We should all be eating more vegetables. One fast way to do that: toss them in a salad! We'll cover how to make nutritious, affordable, and, most importantly, crave-worthy salads.

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We've got a step-by-step guide for that SOS moment when you haven't pooped in days and days. Plus: tips to help you avoid chronic constipation, and a little toilet pep talk from a gastroenterologist.

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Knowing how to swim can help you have fun at the pool or beach this summer. But it could also save your life. According to the CDC, an average of 11 people die daily from drowning in the U.S. Here are some tips to start swimming at any age.

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Running is a classic form of exercise for a reason. It gets you from point A to point B, you don't need equipment or a gym membership and it provides cardiovascular benefits. But many people are told that running is not for them because of their body type. We talk to Martinus Evans, author of "Slow AF Run Club," about how you can start running in the body you have. We cover motivation, equipment, pace, form, cross-training and more.

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Ultra-processed foods are tasty, cheap and everywhere. But they come with health risks. NPR health correspondent Maria Godoy lays out ways to spot and avoid ultra-processed foods during your next grocery run.

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No matter your skin tone, sunscreen keeps your skin safe from harmful UVA and UVB rays. But to use it right, you need to know a few things: What SPF to use, how often to reapply and the difference between chemical and physical sunscreen. We explain what to look for on the back of a sunscreen bottle and how to use it effectively.

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Anxiety can feel awful and overwhelming. But it can also be a helpful warning signal — telling us when we're in danger or out of alignment with our true feelings. We share tips on how to turn down the dial on your anxiety symptoms, so you can listen to what they're trying to tell you.

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Pregnancy is hard work – for the body, mind and soul. There are seemingly endless resources for all the physical and logistical aspects of pregnancy but far fewer for renegotiating your sense of self in every part of your life. We'll discuss the effect of pregnancy on the brain, the importance of embracing negative feelings and strategies for maintaining changing relationships.

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Want fresher, cleaner air at home? We share practical tips from researchers on how to clean your house (and your air), test your air quality, and change your habits to limit indoor air pollution.

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Ever leave the doctor's office confused or with unanswered questions? Talking to doctors and other medical professionals can be hard - whether they're good at their jobs or not. We'll give you the tools to get more out of your appointments. We'll talk about how to choose a provider, prepare for your visit, ask the right questions, and get your provider's attention if they're not hearing you.

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With Dr. Evalene Dacker, we lay out the science of STIs and then give you language to talk about them and, more broadly, about sex, with a potential partner. Because for something so fun, sex can be hard to talk about.

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75% of Americans consume some kind of caffeine at least once a day. Whether your caffeine of choice is coffee, tea, soda or energy drinks, how do you know that it's working for you and not against you? We speak with experts about how you can assess your relationship to caffeine and explore why caffeine may not deserve its bad rap.

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This episode, we hear from two period experts on understanding the science of periods, management techniques and how to know when something is wrong.

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Brush twice a day. Remember to floss. Visit the dentist twice a year. We know the drill...or maybe not? In this episode, how to take care of your teeth, from finding good dentist, to home teeth whitening, to the best brushing techniques.

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What kind of gear should you wear? How cold is too cold? And how do you stay motivated to say, run outdoors, when the weather is dreary? Athlete and activist Alison Mariella Désir, author of Running While Black, and Dr. Kelechi Okoroha, a sports medicine specialist at the Mayo Clinic, share their best advice.

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Waking up at dawn with the bakers and the baristas may not be for everyone — especially night owls. Whether you have to wake up early or you'd like to become more of a morning lark, here are a few habits that can help you set yourself up for success at that first alarm.

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More than 25 million Americans have Irritable Bowel Syndrome. While IBS symptoms present in the gut, it turns out that stress and anxiety can actually exacerbate symptoms. Here's how to identify triggers for IBS, eat a diet that decreases gas and bloating — and learn where to seek help.

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