Work is stressful. There are deadlines to meet, bosses to please, customers to help, and it can feel like people are pulling you from every direction. Before you have a Steven Slater meltdown and pull the emergency chute--whatever it may be at your workplace--take time to reflect and find ways to survive your worst days at work.

1. Don't promise what you can't deliver.

Everyone wants to look like a superhero at work who can get everything done. But there are only 40 hours in a work week, so don't take on too much or you'll look worse for not getting it all done. Your boss will be disappointed when you can't get the job done in time, so it's best to think ahead on this recommendation and not promise something you can't complete.

2. Take regular breaks.

Work is mentally and physically tiring, so taking a few 10-15 minute breaks throughout the day can re-energize you and make getting back to work a lot easier. Take a walk around the block.

3. Don't skip breakfast or lunch.

Just like a child in school, regular meals are important to keep the mind and body working at work. If you're having a bad day at work and feel stressed, think about whether you skipped a meal on that day. Chances are you did and were too rushed to eat. Mom was right: Breakfast is important.

4. Stop trying to multitask.

You may think you're saving time by writing an e-mail, reading a report and talking on the phone at the same time, but you're not. Research shows that doing multiple tasks at once is more time consuming and can harm your health. You want to do a lot of work, but you also want to do it well.

5. Remind yourself of what's really important in life.
Photos of your family on your desk can help remind you, but if you're away from your desk, stop and take a breath and remember what's most important in your life. Your children, for example, are more important than the most stressful work task. Your purpose in life isn't to get stressed at work.

6. Seek work that suits your personality.
Maybe dealing with inconsiderate people in an airplane and trying to referee fights over overhead bins isn't suited for you. If you're in a job that doesn't feel right, then start exploring jobs that match how you work best. Do you like to work alone? Do you work best in groups? Whatever your personality, there's a job to match it.