How to survive the "Friend Zone"

Friend Zone (as defined by urban dictionary):
The seventh level of hell, where despite all and any efforts to the contrary, no member of the opposite sex will ever see you as anything more than conversation.

Have you ever been stuck in this "7th level of hell"? I know I have... many a time. Don't get me wrong I love being a guys friend, nothing wrong with it, BUT there are time that I wish a guy could see me as more than just "one of the guys". So the question is how do you survive the friend zone without feeling hurt? The most important thing is distance... I know that stinks, but whenever I start to have "more than friends" feeling for the opposite sex and they aren't reciprocated, I put some distance between me and that person. It's easy to get to that weird place where you act like their girlfriend/boyfriend, but you are just friends and that is the only way they see you. You also want to be careful to not act like that person's "significant other" emotionally. There are times when you just can't be there for them. They will have to find another person to get relationship advice from, or pick up their broken pieces. You love them as your friend, but you have to protect your heart, and there are other people that can be their shoulder to cry on. When it comes to friendships with the opposite sex you have to keep the friendship at arms length, because otherwise it will just lead to heartbreak! I'm not saying to stop being friends with the opposite sex, those friendships are important and some of my closest friends are dudes. I'm simply saying to proceed with caution, and remember that the "friend zone" is a very real place. Sometimes it's right where you want to be, and then sometimes it's anywhere but where you want to be. And in those times follow my advice, and it will make being "just friends" a little bit easier!