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Life Kit

Life Kit

Tools To Help You Get It Together
Illustration of a man relaxing on a hamster wheel, symbolizing taking a break from the daily grind to refresh yourself and appreciate life.

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Stuck in a rut? How to appreciate your life again, according to science

After a while, even the most exciting relationships, jobs and environments lose their spark. But cognitive neuroscientist Tali Sharot says it's possible to fall back in love with life's small joys.

Why we become bored with our lives (and how to find joy again)

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Marker style illustration of man with colored waves. The concept of creative mind, brainstorm and learning.

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Forgot where you put the keys? Experts (and a trivia buff) share tips to boost memory

"With practice, absolutely everyone can make their memory stronger," says Monica Thieu, a memory researcher and a four-time Jeopardy! contestant. Techniques to get you started.

Where did I put the keys? Tips to improve memory

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Popular myths about sleep, debunked

Does it matter what time you go to bed? Sleep scientist Rebecca Robbins identifies commonly held beliefs about sleep — and debunks misconceptions. Photo Illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR hide caption

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Photo Illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR

Popular myths about sleep, debunked

Is it OK to exercise before you hit the hay? Sleep for less than 5 hours a night? Sleep scientist Rebecca Robbins sets the record straight to help you get better sleep.

Popular myths about sleep, debunked

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COMIC: How to make peace with your guilty feelings

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Malaka Gharib

COMIC: How to make peace with your guilty feelings

Exercises to help you cope with negative feelings around guilt (like shame or embarrassment) — and motivate better behavior in the future.

COMIC: How to make peace with your guilty feelings

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Taylor Swift joked that 'jet lag is a choice.' A sleep expert has thoughts about that

Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs embraces Taylor Swift after defeating the San Francisco 49ers during this year's Super Bowl in Las Vegas. Swift, who flew in from Tokyo to attend the game, jokingly told him, "jet lag is a choice." Ezra Shaw/Getty Images hide caption

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Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Taylor Swift joked that 'jet lag is a choice.' A sleep expert has thoughts about that

Plus, six tips on how to stay alert and minimize sluggishness when traveling rapidly across multiple time zones.

Want to lend a friend money? Ask yourself if you can afford to never see it again
Photo illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR

Want to lend a friend money? Ask yourself if you can afford to never see it again

Lending money to family and friends is a tricky business. What if they don't pay you back? What if you don't have the cash? Financial experts weigh in on the topic.

Want to lend a friend money? Ask yourself if you can afford to never see it again

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In 'The Unexpected,' Emily Oster tackles the emotional toll of difficult pregnancies
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In 'The Unexpected,' Emily Oster tackles the emotional toll of difficult pregnancies

The economist made a name for herself using data to challenge the accepted rules of pregnancy. Now, she's returning to the topic with a book on how to navigate its complications.

In 'The Unexpected,' Emily Oster tackles the emotional toll of difficult pregnancies

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