Mental Health America, the country’s leading nonprofit dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives, is recommending basic strategies to help people feel good and improve their mental health.

The recommendations are aimed at millions of Americans dealing with the stress and worries created by the current economic situation.

One recent poll reported that nearly 60 percent of respondents said the current economic situation is a cause of stress in their lives. And one-quarter indicated that anxiety is serious.

Says David L. Shern, Ph.D. president and CEO of Mental Health America: “This is a terribly challenging time for many people. But there are things people can do to take care of themselves during stressful times such as leaning on the people who care about them and focusing on the positives in life.”

Here are some simple yet effective steps people can take to protect their mental health.

Sit down and list your problems and some possible solutions. Weigh pros and cons, and once you have some possible solutions, break them into manageable chunks. This process not only can produce concrete answers, but offers a sense of organization and control at a time that may feel chaotic and confusing.

Review the skills and strengths that have helped you rise to challenges in the past. You can rely on those abilities again now. Try not to blame yourself for matters that may not have been in your control.

You may feel like you don’t want to worry your loved ones. But chances are they want to help. You can just enjoy each other’s company or, if you’re in a relationship, work with your partner to solve financial problems together instead of isolating yourself and struggling alone.

Sure you have worries, but you are likely to have a lot to be grateful for. Thinking about those positives - or writing them down - can boost your mood.

Exercising, eating right, getting enough sleep and taking time to relax are essential. You’ll be able to cope better with stress and take care of those who depend on you if you find even a few minutes each day to refuel. Beware of turning to alcohol to relax. It may seem to offer a release but actually puts more stress on your body and can drag down your mood.

Be aware of irritability, difficulty concentrating, headaches, stomach pain and fatigue. You might also see if you’ve developed some unhealthy behaviors, like repeatedly checking the economic news that mostly feed your fears.

Some people feel it’s a sign of weakness to see a mental health professional, but it can be a sign of great strength to take the steps necessary to get your life back on track.

Posted by TJ Belmontt, following the original post on Mental Health America