Is your anxiety level one of the few things growing in your personal portfolio? Are you feeling blue because of fears of being in the red? Is the bear market becoming more than you can bear?

If so, you’re not alone.

In fact, an American Psychological Association poll found that the majority of people—eight out of ten to be more exact—cite the state of the economy as a significant source of stress. Among those most feeling the emotional crunch brought on by the credit crunch are women aged 44 and older. As this study was conducted in the summer of 2008, before the stock market really began to unfold, its findings serve as a bellweather. Likely if the poll took place today, even more of us would cite the economy as a reason that explained the disquietude that we feel.

I wanted to write about this subject—including citing these statistics—not to add to any anxiety that you may be feeling. Rather, I’m hoping that if you feel emotionally taxed, that realizing that you are among the majority will help to ameliorate some of the stress. After all, it’s always nice to know that you’re not alone, that you are not walking any path solo. Additionally, I hope that through the astrological insights and self-care suggestions I will present that you will feel more empowered and that your sense of well-being will be fortified.

Pluto in Capricorn: Reflecting Our View of Money

As a culture, we are very attached to money, often using its value to define our own value. This is not surprising for a country founded when Pluto was in Capricorn, the sign accustomed to identifying itself through its work and ability to amass money and resources. A trip down high-school history-class memory lane (or a recent watching of HBO’s John Adams mini-series) will remind us that it was a fight against taxation—without representation—and the limitations of available currency that served as some of the main reasons fueling the colonies’ desire for independence from Great Britain.

As it happens, Pluto—with its 248-year cycle–re-entered Capricorn last year, where it will stay until 2024. It is highly likely that our relationship to money (as well as other Capricornian things—like government, authority figures, and business) will change. Pluto is great at uncovering and uprooting actions and attitudes that don’t serve our best evolutionary interests so that we can be more aligned with those that do.

Saturn in Virgo: The Mind-Body Connection

While I’m not a psychotherapist, I’d venture to say that one of the first steps in healing anxiety is to admit and accept the feelings that you have. This is how Pluto deals with things. It uncovers to recover. Remember that it is not a form of weakness to declare that you have fear, or worry, or concern. Feeling anxious about the present or the future is not something to have shame about.

On that note, I want to bring in a little more astrology here. The planet Saturn has been in Virgo since September 2007 where it will stay until July 2010 when it sojourns through Libra. As the sign of the perfectionist, Virgo is inclined to worry, self-criticism, and anxiety. Hopefully, Saturn going through this sign will serve as a buoy to help us collectively name the sources of our anxieties, making a container for them so that we can address them and move through them.

Those in the medical field used to shoo off stress as something that was “just in your head.” Yet, more and more research has established that stress—including anxiety—takes a physical toll as well. Not only can stress lead to all sorts of unsupportive behaviors—overeating, eating unhealthful foods, losing sleep, turning to alcohol and/or drugs—but it actually has a direct impact upon physical health as well. For example, when we experience stress, our adrenal glands release cortisol, a hormone found to suppress immune system function. Like the sign of Virgo teaches us, there really is a mind-body connection.

Self-Care Suggestions

Seek Professional Assistance: If you are feeling stressed and anxious, talk to your physician and/or look into getting psychological assistance. Oftentimes, talk therapy is just the medicine that’s needed rather than a psychopharmaceutical drug (although there are times when this may be appropriate as well). If you have health insurance, see whether your policy currently covers mental health counseling since many do (and more will by January 2010 when the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 goes into effect).

Relaxation Practices: Build time into each day to participate in activities that help you to relieve stress. Think about what calms and centers you. For some it may be doing a crafts project, for others sinking into a crossword puzzle or novel, while for others taking their dog to the park is a sure-fire way to illicit calm. Honor your personal needs as to the best way for you to unwind.

Exercise: Exercise can help boost emotional, as well as physical, health. Although researchers aren’t certain why it works, engaging in a regular exercise program has helped many who face mood ups-and-downs, including anxiety. Not only does exercise enhance body functions, but it also provides benefits by enhancing self-esteem and confidence, as well as creating social outlets that can build relationships through which we can seek support and guidance.

Meditation: Meditation is a great practice to help center the mind. It also can also allow you to gain a larger-than-life perspective on life that can help you see the world in a way that is naturally more free of stress. Meditation can encourage attitudes that allow you to cope better with situations that would otherwise be challenging.

Natural Remedies: If you’re looking for something to inspire calming within, consider botanical remedies. For example, a cup of chamomile or lemon balm tea may help to soothe frayed nerves (while taking the time to sit and enjoy the tea, away from the computer or TV, itself can breed relaxation). Anxiety can definitely affect the quantity and quality of sleep, which can then lead to a vicious cycle since being tired reduces a person’s ability to cope and function. Should your mind race before bed, consider some valerian, skullcap, or kava tincture (check with your doctor first, though, to ensure that any herbs you are considering won’t interact with any medicines you’re taking). For during-the-day stress, also consider using flower essences; for example, Rescue Remedy, the combination of five different flowers, is a wonderful way to take the edge off acute stress.

While self-care wellness practices can definitely inspire a greater feeling of calm and a sense of self-empowerment, feelings of depression and anxiety—no matter what the cause—are not to be taken lightly. Seek assistance to help you acknowledge what you’re experiencing, gaining tools that can help you address and accept your feelings. This uncovering and discovering can help lead to recovering a deeper sense of personal strength and power.