A month of stress-busting tips

Plus: Cut down your plastic consumption

View this email online Today’s newsletter is brought to you by digital editor Malaka Gharib Kaz Fantone/NPR Last year, one of the most wonderful things happened to me: I became a mother.  But this life-altering event also brought out anxieties I didn’t even know I had in me. I was a first-time mom, so I doubted every decision I made about my baby. I was frustrated if he skipped a nap or a nursing session -- would he be OK? And I was so sleep-deprived and strapped for free time that any kind of self-care went out the window.  I wondered desperately: How do I cope?  It turns out that researchers know a lot about how to be resilient in the face of hardship. For the past 20 years, Dr. Judith Moskowitz, a psychologist at Northwestern University, has been studying how people deal with stressful situations, such as caring for a spouse with dementia or living with cancer.  She distilled the insights she learned into an online course. And my lovely colleagues on NPR’s health desk have turned that course into a special, month-long newsletter series. Sign up now to get techniques to boost your day-to-day well-being, no matter what you’re dealing with. Sign up for NPR's Stress Less newsletter series I’ve taken a sneak peek into the series and I can tell you that the advice has already changed my perspective on some of the things that stress me out as the mom of a now toddler.   For example, if my kid doesn’t eat his dinner, I feel like such a failure that it derails my entire evening. One tactic I can try, according to Moskowitz, is focusing on the positive things that happened. “Broaden your focus and notice the good things that are going on,” she says. So the next time I’m in this situation, I might tell myself: this is normal behavior for toddlers. He’s happy, he’s healthy, he’s playing with his Duplo blocks and doesn’t look bothered. So that should make Mama happy too.  If you struggle to see the positive in a situation, create your own moments of delight, says Moskowitz. To transform a frustrating evening, I might treat myself to dessert when my kid goes down for bed: two big scoops of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, with chocolate sauce.    Sign me up for a month of stress-busting tips Newsletter continues after sponsor message Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month Erick M. Ramos for NPR How to talk to your Latinx family about mental health: Scripts, mindsets and strategies. Shame and stigma play a huge role in discouraging folks in the Latinx community from seeking mental health care — and talking about it with their families. These steps can help you prepare for the conversation with your loved ones. Read the story here. 5 essential ingredients for Mexican cooking (plus one you can't buy at the store). Want to start making authentic Mexican cuisine at home? Here's what you'll need in your pantry and your fridge to get started, according to two Mexican chefs and cookbook authors. Read the story here.  How to learn a heritage language. Heritage language learners are different from people learning a second language for the first time. They often grow up hearing it, but that can come with its own set of challenges. Experts offer their advice on how to learn your heritage language. Read the story here. Listen Sponsor-Free Support public media while getting expert advice on health, finance, relationships and more with Life Kit+. You'll get sponsor-free listening AND that warm fuzzy feeling that comes with making a difference. You can also check out loads of other NPR+ podcasts with benefits at plus.npr.org. Letters from Life Kit's inbox Credit: Becky Harlan/NPR Got something you want to share with Life Kit? Email us at lifekit@npr.org. These letters from our listeners have been edited for length and clarity.  Make a "ta-da!" list   I invented this concept as a way to help myself on days or weeks when I feel really overwhelmed. I write down what I accomplished (hence the name “ta-da!”, which is similar in sound to a “to do” list). Be as specific as possible and don't limit it to huge accomplishments. Taking stock of what you do accomplish can build confidence and momentum. -- Catherine Hull Another way to clear up your entryway A tip from me: If you have a coat rack in your entryway, consider installing a second set of hooks (can be vertical, so that it takes up less space) where you can hang frequently worn scarves and bags. This way, you don't have to rifle through the jumble of coats and jackets on the coat rack to find the scarf or bag that you want. -- Nettie Hendricks Read the story: "6 design tricks to transform your home, according to a feng shui expert" Praise for the bathing comic It was really fun and I learned a lot about questions everyone has. Thank you to everyone there. -- Saul Valdez Read the story: "COMIC: Can I just wash the stinky bits? And other honest questions about bathing" This week on Life Kit Credit: Becky Harlan/NPR I ditched plastic for a week. Here's what I learned. 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. Listen to the episode here. To combat misinformation, start with connection, not correction. People trust information more when it comes from sources or contexts they’re familiar with. Help counter misinformation in your community by having conversations with your friends and family. Read the story here.  How to vote in 2024. There are 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. Read the story here. Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from Central Florida Public Media (edit station). What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: LifeKit@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Code Switch, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Life Kit emails. 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