The powerful confluence of an unstable stock market, the fall of housing values and the collapse of large financial institutions and automobile manufacturers are among factors that have created more more financial uncertainty than we have experienced in decades.

Across the country, approximately 94 million Americans are age 50 years or older. Their collective losses in retirement accounts over the past 12 months are estimated to be $1.6 trillion. In this same age group, more than 680,000 homeowners were either delinquent in the last six months of 2007, in foreclosure or had lost their homes.

The retirement that millions of Americans dream of and plan for may seem to feel like a back-to-the-drawing-board exercise as we calculate our losses, think about how much longer it will take for us to save enough to retire or juggle the pressures of too much debt or a house payment that seems too big.

For those already retired and living on a combination of savings, pension income, and Social Security (if you are lucky enough to have all three), there will be canceled trips and budget cutting to see how long the money will last. A part-time job may be necessary to help make ends meet.

The emotional stress of the financial issues we face is a given, but it has not been discussed very much in the media. Taking your mental health seriously during these tough times should be as important as managing your physical health.

In researching this issue, I found some simple, helpful guidelines. At the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Josh Klapow has developed four points he believes can help manage the chronic stress and worry that is being produced through all of the economic turmoil. They include:

• Take action, such as revisiting your budget and making financial choices to reduce costs. Action such as carpooling could cut back on stress.

• Take a step back. Try not to saturate yourself with news or follow the markets on a minute-by-minute basis. It may lead to information overload.

• Stay connected. Don’t let the economic turmoil take over your life. Keep up your social activities, spend time with friends and family and engage in activities that you enjoy.

• Pay attention to yourself. Stress takes a physical toll on the body. Meditation, deep breathing and muscle relaxation exercises will help your body eliminate the stress that can build up in your back, shoulders and neck in particular.

There are many highly skilled professionals in our communities who are trained to help if you feel that stress is getting the better of you. There are even classes and groups that you could investigate to see which one might help you manage the stress that you feel. There are many ways to manage the unproductive worry that gets in the way of living a healthy, active life with our family and friends. I encourage you to explore your fun side and invest in your health and well-being.

Scott Bond is the Director of Senior and Disability Services for Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments, the Area Agency on Aging for Benton, Linn, and Lincoln counties. He can be reached at 541-812-6008 or by e-mail at sbond@ocwcog.org.