Stress can stop you dead in your tracks. But it doesn't have to! Get a grip on yourself and on your stress with these basic steps:

1. Take action - NOW! All too often, people allow stress to take over their lives. But don't do it. Instead of freaking out with drugs or alcohol to bury the pain within yourself or instead of saying things like, "Just forget it. I quit," pick yourself up. Dust yourself off. Shields up, sword out and go conquer!

Take a serious look at the stress that's going on. Be objective; i.e. think like a professional without emotions tied in and think in black and white, as much as possible. What is the most sensible thing to do? Get help from a professional, if necessary, but find a solution, take charge and make your move in a professional, legal way.

2. Think positive. It's easy to fall into the negative thinking trap. Instead, tune in to positive activities, media and people and work towards positive solutions. Regularly read positive books, watch positive movies and other television programs and listen to positive radio, network with positive people, etc. This will greatly help you when the time comes to deal with stress that pops up.

3. Give back. Help others with their stressful issues, too. Helping can not only be therapeutic, but eye-opening. You might be surprised at the how many other people's problems are often much worse yours. So jump to offer your support and any available resources you may have to help them. Don't crawl under a rock and hide, letting stress and depression sink you.

Note: When you do try to help others, do NOT do their work for them; i.e. teach a person to fish, don't cast a line out for them and hold the pole all day. You don't want to get caught up in their issues and lives all day and leave your own off to the side.

4. Add humor. Having the ability to laugh - even at your self - can really help lighten matters on a difficult day. So spice up your life with bits of humor here and there with clean joke books, TV sitcoms, good humorous friends…and lighten your load.

5. Seek divine intervention. Stop trying to do everything alone. Seek help daily, regularly. And give praise for the good things in your life.