Life consists of huge ball of stress. At one time or another we will all fall victim to at least one, if not more, of these top five stressful life situations: death, divorce, moving, major illness and job loss.

Although these experiences can be devastating, handling them can be a bit easier with the following tips.

No matter the situation, you first have to dig down deep and start by:

1. Dealing with the shock and reality of this new situation
2. Accepting the things you cannot change
3. Letting go of the resentment and negative emotions that hold you back
4. Knowing that not everything is in your control
5. Remembering that good things often come out of negative situations
6. Adjusting to changing circumstances and finding your inner strength
7. Developing a plan for moving forward in the most positive way, with faith, gratitude and trust that the Universe will lead you to the correct path.

Now, let’s take a closer look at how to handle each of these five stressful situations:

Death

Dealing with death is painful. It feels so permanent and it’s like there’s a void you just can’t fill. One important thing to remember is that we are all energy and energy is eternal. That means we can talk to people who have passed on at any time of day or night without the restrictions of our material world. Just speak to them, tell them what you want to share and trust that they’re listening.

Divorce

Dealing with divorce—whether or not you initiated it, is an extremely stressful situation. To accept the finality of divorce feels like accepting defeat. Still, there was probably a time that things were good and you can remember them while accepting that things have changed. You’re now free of the feeling that something isn’t right in your relationship or that you’re with someone who is all wrong for you. And if the right person should come along, you’ll be free to take advantage of that opportunity and maybe even start a new chapter in your life.

Moving

Whether we choose to move or circumstances dictate that we do, there’s still no denying that moving is stressful and an absolute pain in the neck. Think of moving as starting with a clean slate. If you have to pare down, just remember that material things are just stuff. And while we may have to adjust to some new circumstances, we take the important stuff with us wherever we go—like good memories and important relationships. If you’re moving far away, your interactions with some people may change, but modern technology can help you stay in touch.

Major Illness

Finding out that you or someone you love has a major illness is never easy. When faced with this stressful situation, however, an amazing thing happens—we suddenly become very clear on the things that matter most and how we each play an important role in the lives of those we love. Life-altering situations can often bring out the best in all of us. A person who lives in gratitude is not able to have feelings of anger, resentment or regret. Instead they come from a positive place—and that is more potent than any remedy. By doing this, they not only handle stress, they diminish the negative effects of stress on their lives and those around them.

Job Loss

A third of our lives are spent working, and losing a job can affect every part of our lives—the money we make, the place we live and our daily routines. But if you think about it for a minute, you’ll realize that this day was always going to come—one way or another, planned or not. So try to think of your job loss as an adjustment to your timeline. If you can retire early, great, but most of us have to find a new way to live. Yes, it’s stressful and challenging but it can also be exhilarating if you’re willing to reinvent yourself and maybe do what you’ve always wanted to do instead of what others say you should.

If you find yourself in any of these five stressful situations, try to keep your daily schedule simple so you don’t feel overwhelmed, and learn to say “no” to people or situations you know will make you feel anxious. Most of all, remember to be kind to yourself. You’ll get through it!