Something was plaguing Stress Inc. Lolita had a pounding headache, Jerry an aching back. And the Big Cheese felt like he was about to have a meltdown (nachos, anyone?).

Offices nationwide are plagued with strain and tension — probably more now than ever. As economic times take their toll and pink slips are being handed out rapid-fire, workers feel it.

The ones still on the payroll are taking on greater responsibility and working longer hours, more intensely, just to avoid that dreaded firing.

"I just go in every day expecting to be bombarded with this and that, nitpicky things that will leave me feeling like my head might explode," says Gina Rockford, who wrote asking me for tips to overcome her job stress as a receptionist. "I'm sure I am not alone. What do I and all the other workers do to make work life easier to deal with?"

Well, you can do plenty of things.

But before the tips to keep you plugging along, this stat from the Mental Health Association of Greater Indianapolis should help you realize you are not alone. Workplace stress causes about 1 million employees to miss work each day.

Yes. Every day, 1 million workers lie on the couch watching "Ellen" and "The Price is Right," munching on potato chips and sipping Coke, wondering how they will drag themselves to work the next day. It's tough to start the car when gas is four bucks a gallon, making the paycheck seem like nothing. Not to mention the prospect of a job not being there the next day.

The national unemployment rate was 5.5 percent in May, up from 4.5 percent a year earlier, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

But take a deep breath and forget about that. Assume your job is good to go and take heed of these tips from the Mental Health Association of Greater Indianapolis to make it through the workday: