Skip to content
Melo Podcasts Home
CategoriesLanguagesFollowing

Season 9, Episode 3 · Try This

Breathe: Reducing stress can help your brain

6 Nov 2025 · 15 min

Play episode WhatsApp Download

Episode notes

Breathing is powerful — it can help fight off stress. Host Cristina Quinn sits down with Washington Post Brain Matters columnist Richard Sima and UCLA neuroscientist and psychiatrist Helen Lavretsky to unpack what chronic stress can do to the brain and how simple breathing exercises can help.

Podcast

Try This

The Washington Post · Learning · English

“Try This” from The Washington Post is a series of audio courses designed to jump-start the parts of life where we can all use a few pointers — with pithy, snackable solutions you can easily use. Host Cristina Quinn brings exactly the right amount of motivation with her endearing enthusiasm and the

More from Try This All episodes →

  1. S10 · E2 · 8 Dec 2025 · 22 min

    I want to give back! How do I afford it?

    When it comes to giving, it can be challenging figuring out how to make it right for you financially. Personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary talks to host Cristina Quinn about how to give based on your comfort level and budget and how you can experience gratitude through giving back.

  2. S10 · E1 · 1 Dec 2025 · 20 min

    Anyone can be an altruist

    How are altruists different from the rest of us? Host Cristina Quinn talks to neuroscientist and psychologist Abigail Marsh about what it means to be an altruist and how you can build your altruistic muscle.

  3. S9 · E4 · 6 Nov 2025 · 6 min

    Got 5 minutes? Take a breather with me.

    Join Try This for a breathing exercise! Host Cristina Quinn walks us through a 5-minute box breathing exercise. You’ll feel better at the end!

  4. S9 · E2 · 30 Oct 2025 · 19 min

    Simple lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of dementia

    About half of dementia cases are potentially preventable – even if it runs in your family. In this episode, host Cristina Quinn talks with Laura Baker of the U.S. POINTER study and Monica Parker about simple lifestyle changes we can make to reduce our risk of cognitive decline.

  5. S9 · E1 · 23 Oct 2025 · 18 min

    The Ever-Changing Brain: Adapting, Aging, and Cognitive Health

    Our brains are always adapting to our environments and routines. Host Cristina Quinn talks with Washington Post “Brain Matters” columnist Richard Sima about what a healthy aging brain looks like and when we should worry about forgetting where we put our keys.

  6. 11 Sep 2025 · 34 min

    Strength Training – Get stronger to live longer

    Weight lifting isn’t just for athletes or bodybuilders. Host Cristina Quinn talks with Washington Post health columnist Gretchen Reynolds about what strength training is and why even a small amount of it can improve your overall health.

  7. 23 Jul 2025 · 25 min

    How to find your personal style

    Finding your own personal style can be easy. Host Cristina Quinn chats with The Washington Post’s fashion critic Rachel Tashjian and Style Memo newsletter writer Shane O’Neill about finding your style amid a barrage of trends, dressing authentically, and feeling good in your clothes.

  8. 15 Jul 2025 · 33 min

    Smarter, cheaper, happier travel

    Travel reporter Natalie Compton shares the latest tips on how to book better, pack lighter and travel smarter no matter where you're headed.

Take it with you

The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.

Get it on Google Play