You can't always avoid stress, but it is possible to avoid a complete meltdown when stressful situations arise. We asked women on the iVillage message boards their best strategies for defusing difficult situations and staying calm. Some of our favorite responses:

 Breathe deep. Just sit still for a few moments, be present and breathe.

 Laugh! Rent a funny movie or call up that hilarious friend.

 Do gentle yoga while watching the sunrise.

 Get some exercise and work up a sweat. I spent a whole weekend cutting up a tree in my backyard to blow off steam!

 Clean up your act. Go on a stress-busting cleaning rampage.

 Meditate. Breathe, clear your mind, focus on an image or a chant.

 Hug someone. Recruit the boyfriend, the husband, or the kids.

 Try scrapbooking or another soothing hobby — many women swear by the calming, repetitive motions of knitting.

 Talk it out. Seek out the support of people who will listen.

 Visit the sauna. There are no distractions, which makes the sauna a great place to meditate. Ahhh.

Looking for more stress relief tips? Visit the Stress & Women Message Board to learn more and share your own story.