How to protect yourself in stressful economic times

In May, the nation’s unemployment rate took its biggest jump in more than two decades. Gas costs $4 a gallon. Debt is epidemic. No wonder 74 percent of Americans say work or money is stressing them out, according to a poll by the American Psychological Association.

Getting stress under control is crucial, not just for your mind, but for your body. Studies show stress makes you more likely to get heart disease and immune problems, not to mention headaches and stomach aches. Here are four tips for keeping stress at bay.

1. Make a realistic budget. Getting it all down in black and white is the first step to getting spending under control.

2. Have a family meeting to go over your cost-cutting measures.

3. Make small changes. Cutting out a couple of car trips (or a few lattes) can really add up.

4. Get free help from the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. Just click here and put in your zip code. You’ll likely feel a whole lot better once you take the first steps for getting your financial matters under control.

You can learn more about how to become an Empowered Patient, by reading my column at cnn.com/health