Recession-Proof Your Health

Is your head throbbing as bills pile up? Heart racing as your investments and job opportunities head south? Stomach churning as you imagine paying for heat this winter?

Financial stress can hurt not only your wallet but also your body and your mind. Debt may be harming the health of up to 16 million Americans, according a recent poll from the Associated Press and AOL. Bankruptcies, foreclosures and other economic woes are boosting demand for mental-health services. Money woes can trigger insomnia, anxiety and depression, rob you of time to get exercise and cook healthy foods, and make it harder to afford regular medical care.

Fight back. Protect your greatest asset--your health. Here's how.

Bail out your stress reaction

A certain amount of stress is normal and healthy--it motivates us and keeps us going. But many people have too much or handle it poorly, and that can make us sick. It can lead to alcohol and substance abuse, headaches, ulcers, high blood pressure and heart disease. It can also raise the risk of obesity, diabetes, infections, back pain, irritable bowel syndrome and many other conditions.

To keep financial stress from making you sick, try these five coping tips from the American Psychological Association (APA):

Pause, don't panic. Stay aware of current events without succumbing to media hysteria. "Avoid the tendency to overreact or to become passive. Remain calm and stay focused," the APA advises.
Identify stressors and make a plan. Review your finances and note which areas are stressing you. List ways you can trim spending and better handle your money. Budget for health care, food, grooming and other expenses. Write up a financial plan and review it regularly. Contact creditors if you're having difficulty paying bills.
Examine how you handle financial stress. Beware of negative behaviors such as smoking, drinking, gambling or fighting with your spouse. Get help if needed.
View problems as opportunities. Realize that blowing your paycheck at the mall didn't bring happiness. Explore ways to simultaneously save money and boost physical and mental health such as walking, biking, cooking and having a family game or story night. Learn how healthy behaviors can save you money: If you're overweight, for example, losing as little as 10 percent of your body weight may save you thousands of dollars in medicals costs over your lifetime.
Seek professional support. See if your employer or community offers services such as credit counseling, debt consolidation, financial planning, healthcare assistance, job placement or mental health counseling.

Health is wealth

When the economy is stressed, you need your health more than ever. Resist the urge to react to stress with unhealthy behaviors such as overeating or excess drinking. Look for positive, inexpensive ways to manage stress:

Exercise. Aerobic activities such as walking, tennis and swimming are enjoyable stress-busters. Also try breathing, relaxation and meditation exercises.
Social support. Family and friends are more important than ever in tough economic times. Researchers have documented that isolation harms our health and social support improves it. So dial up your brother or sister. Connect to friends. Check out support groups or online communities. Join neighborhood organizations.

Plus: Dr. Gail Saltz offers more tips on surviving economic stresses.

Sound off: How is the economy affecting your health, and how are you coping? Speak up on the message boards and get helpful advice--try Stress & Women, Hot Topics in Health, Frugal Families and others.