LA Johnson/NPR; Halisia Hubbard/NPR; Malaka Gharib/NPR; Collage from NPR
LA Johnson/NPR; Halisia Hubbard/NPR; Malaka Gharib/NPR; Collage from NPR
The great thing about working on Life Kit is that the editors and producers can pick up all kinds of useful life hacks that will save money, improve our relationships and make our everyday lives more joyful.
Here are nine expert tips from our April episodes that we were excited to share – and put into practice in our own daily lives.
1. Planning a big trip? Consider traveling during 'shoulder season' the period between a city's high season and low season. It's often cheaper and can “help your destination deal with overtourism and overcrowding,” says Lale Arikoglu, articles director at Condé Nast Traveler magazine.
2. The rule that your wedding gift must cost the same as your plate is outdated, says etiquette coach Myka Meier. “That's kind of an old wives' tale that you have to spend what the couple spent on you, because that's often not possible for a lot of people. At the end of the day, you have to stay within your budget.”
3. To avoid digital eye strain, follow the 20-20-20 rule. For every 20 minutes of computer work, take a 20-second break and look 20 feet away, eye experts say.
4. To really connect with a poem, don't worry about figuring out what the poet is trying to say. Instead, says poet Harryette Mullen, focus on how you feeling. What impression do you get? What ideas float through your head as you read it?
5. Don't rely on an anti-choking device if your baby is choking, say pediatricians. The evidence-based and proven method is to perform back blows, followed by chest blows, and then, if they don't respond, call 911 and do CPR.
6. Start talking to your kids about vaping when they're in elementary school, says Dr. Deepa Camenga, pediatrician and specialist in addiction medicine at Yale School of Medicine. You want to be the first person to have that conversation with them so they know what your expectations are.
7. Think of your birthday as your own personal holiday. Many people hate their birthday; they don't like the attention or they are disappointed by previous birthdays. Make your day special again by doing something you whatever you want to do, whether you're throwing yourself a big party or treating yourself to a spa day.
8. During negotiations, avoid simple yes or no answers by trying a tactic called “a menu of options.” says career coach Joan Moon. For example, instead of asking for more flexibility at a new job and getting a resounding no, suggest some options: three days of remote work or a four-day work week. It can help increase the chance of a favorable outcome.
9. Are you tired of having roommates? Think about 'communal life'. Communal living takes many forms, whether that's sharing a home with like-minded people or raising your children on the same street as your friends. And it goes by many names: intentional communities, co-housing, cooperatives or communes. But they all have one thing in common: people who live together don't just live together as roommates. They make a long-term commitment to interweaving their lives, says Gillian Morris, co-author of a blog on communal living.
The digital story was written by Malaka Gharib and edited by Meghan Keane. The visual editor is Beck Harlan. We would love to hear from you. Leave a voicemail at 202-216-9823, or email us at LifeKit@npr.org.
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