5 Science-Backed Tips For Managing Stress

Plus How To Help Kids Face Fears | CRISPR Moves To The Doctor's Office [The trick, of course, is to find moments of deep relaxation wherever you are, not just on vacation. Laughing with friends can be another way to start breaking the cycle of chronic stress and help keep your heart healthy, too.]( stock_colors/Getty Images [Chill Out, Or Else: Five Lifesavers To Ease Stress]( If you’re barely holding it together this week, you’re not alone, and the toll of chronic stress isn't limited to emotional suffering. High stress can set the stage for heart disease, too, a new study suggests. Doctors who studied people diagnosed with a stress-linked condition found they had a 60 percent increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke in the following year, compared to their less-stressed siblings. [Read more five proven tricks for turning down that fight-or-flight stress dial when you need to.]( [Jessica Calise checks on her 9-year-old son Joseph as he gets ready for bed. Joseph used to be afraid to sleep alone, but he has learned to be OK with it since his mother learned new parenting approaches.]( Christopher Capozziello for NPR [Or, Maybe It’s Your Child Who’s Anxious?]( Like lots of us, Jessica and Chris Calise thought they were doing the right thing when then let their 9-year-old sleep in their room when he was scared at night. But the boy’s fears soon expanded to include performance anxiety and stomach aches whenever he had to do anything alone. When comforting and consoling their son seemed to make things worse, the family turned to a Yale University program that helps anxious kids by coaching parents how to better deal with the child’s fears. The trick: Help the child “ride the wave of anxiety,” but don’t rescue. It’s working for this family. [Read on to learn how to help a child you love face fear.]( [More about strong feelings:]( anger’s the problem you’re struggling with – in yourself, a co-worker, or your child or another loved one – check out NPR’s series of stories on the [roots of anger and what we can learn from this powerful emotion.]( [CRISPR gene-editing technology allows scientists to make highly precise modifications to DNA. The technology is now starting to be used in human trials to treat several diseases in the U.S.]( Molekuul/Getty Images/Science Photo Library [CRISPR’s Moving From Labs To Clinics -- And Not Just In China]( What is CRISPR? A gene-therapy technique that researchers think it might just provide the crucial key to treating a number of heartbreaking illnesses, including sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia. Traditional gene therapy uses viruses to insert new genes into cells, which has caused some safety problems in past attempts at gene therapy for patients. Instead, using CRISPR, scientists can directly and precisely make changes in the DNA, using targeted molecular tools. [Here’s what you need to know about CRISPR and health in 2019.]( More of this week’s health stories from NPR: [When training becomes overtreating: Med school’s big problem]( [Amid a crackdown on prescribers, how do pain patients get help?]( [How your high-deductible health plan could be shortening your life]( We hope you enjoyed these stories. Find more of [NPR's health journalism on Shots]( and follow us on Twitter at [@NPRHealth](. Your Shots editor, Deborah Franklin --------------------------------------------------------------- What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [shots@npr.org](mailto:shots@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) 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 Goats & Soda, Daily News, Best of NPR and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to our Health emails. | [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Policy]( | NPR 1111 N. CAPITOL ST. NE WASHINGTON DC 20002 [NPR]