We don’t need a national survey to tell us that Americans are stressed out right now—and how bad that is for our health. Everyone I know is worrying about the economy and what the credit crisis and bailout will mean for them—their jobs, their homes, their retirement funds, their bills, their lifestyle. No one knows how it will all trickle down. It’s like waiting for a hurricane or tsunami, not knowing where it will hit or how bad the damage will be.

Several major surveys are under way that no doubt will analyze American’s anxieties during this difficult time in excruciating detail. Meanwhile, I saw a recent survey of 500 adults in 10 major cities. It was sponsored by a company that makes herbal supplements that target stress, so I don’t know how statistically rigorous it was. Still, the results ring true:

We're More Stressed Than Ever

• Almost half of the respondents say they’re more stressed out than they were a year ago.
• Respondents in New York City, Washington D.C., Dallas, and Miami say they’re a lot more stressed out than last year.
• They’re most stressed about finances (64 percent) and work issues (40 percent).
• About 62 percent also say they’re not having sex often enough, and 25 percent say stress is the main reason.

(Source: Next Pharmaceuticals Stress & the City Survey, Polaris Marketing Research)

And That's Not Healthy!

Here’s why this is bad, according to the new book The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Sexual Health and Fitness by Kate Bracy, RN, Kathryn Arendt, MD, and David Winchester, MD. Being in full-blown stress response, with its cascade of stress hormones, in the short term can help you respond to a threat. But when your body stays in that mode over time and it becomes chronic, “your blood pressure stays high, your digestive system is shut down, and your muscles stay tensed. You don’t sleep, you get headaches, and your short-term memory is shot," writes the author.

“It’s not hard to see how that shuts down your ability to respond sexually. You’re busy saving your own life–at least that’s how your body sees it—and you have more important things to do than have sex.”

How We Self-Medicate Our Stress

Back to the survey. Guess what the respondents say are their most frequent ways of getting rid of stress? Watching TV and eating comfort foods.

OK, so who doesn’t appreciate the calming power of potato chips and “Dancing with the Stars” once in a while? The survey didn’t mention alcohol, but other research shows it’s high on the list of self-medicating substances for stress, especially among men who feel depressed. Carbs, sappy television, and a few beers may distract you, knock you out, or make you start snoring on the couch, but they will not improve your mood—or your sex life.

What Really Works

You already know what really does work to fight stress and lift your spirits (which can help you feel sexier, too). Techniques such as yoga, meditation, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation (where you clench and then let go from head to toe) all can help. The book enumerates these and other tips:

• Exercise. “It’s not clear whether it’s the improved circulation, better nutrient flow to the brain cells, or more release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and endorphins that does the trick. And it doesn’t have to be rigorous. Moderate exercise may work better because people are more likely to continue it over time.”

• Walk in the sunshine. “Receiving light through your eyes helps your body convert tryptophan to serotonin, which is a mood-elevating hormone.” Research shows just a few minutes of those golden rays (not enough to get sunburned!) may improve mood and decrease tension and anger.

• Appreciate and communicate. There's always something, "whether it's his or her body, smile, supportive behavior, cooking, willingness to pick up socks. Appreciation grows when you share it, and builds your emotional bank account that makes you both feel rich."

• Be optimistic, choose joy. “Studies show that optimistic people get sick less, live longer, and are more successful in work. If you’re not a 'Polyanna' sort of person, that’s okay. You can still learn ways of thinking and interpreting life that will make you more successful and satisfied.” People who do that feel less stressed, have better sex, show greater satisfaction in their relationships, and are healthier and happier—no matter what the economy is doing.