1. Take a walk
Walking will help you calm down and focus on what your so stressed out. It will help you relax by focusing on the changing nature around you, which is a big reason people recommend a long walk; plus it's good exercise.
2. Try some yoga
Yoga is an exercise that involves, not only the body, but your mind as well. By focusing on your movements and breathing, you're able to get a better handle on what you were/are so stressed about.
3. Breathe
This is the most common thing you'll probably hear when people tell you ways to deal with stress, but probably the most effective. Deep breaths allows more oxygen to enter the brain and will allow you to sort out problems easier once you breathe a little
4. Write it out![]()
You'd be surprised how much you have to say about certain subject, especially when you're upset about it, but sometimes saying it can cause more problems, so write it all down. Get it all out of your system before you call someone out for something that might not even be their fault, just you being stressed and not knowing how to handle it.
5. Talk it out![]()
Yeah, this is counter to what I said above, but based on who you talk to and what it's about, the chance for more drama or stress ensuing is pretty slim. Honestly, this is the kind of thing siblings were made for.
6. Go for a run
Along with walking, running is proven to help reduce stress. Think about it, when you're upset you tend to do things with more force behind it, so you're probably going to run faster and harder when under stress. This is probably the best choice exercise-wise for reducing stress.
7. Organize
Organize your clothes, your desk, heck, reorganize your furniture. Make a list of the things that have been stressing you out lately. My closet is my go-to whenever I get really stressed out, most likely because I find the shirt I had been looking for two weeks prior, but hey, what can I say, at least I forgot what I was upset about.
8. Stay positive ![]()
Don't start thinking of every little thing that's gone wrong because that will end up making it worse, trust me. Instead, think of alternatives. Just because one thing got cancelled, doesn't mean your day is ruined. Find something to do in it's place. Nine times out of ten, the second idea is the best one.
*note * If Ed Sheeran can do it, so can you.
9. Eat some dark chocolate
Yeah. I said it. Eat the freaking candy for crying out loud. It's not going to kill you. If you have three bars to yourself, then I would have to cut you off before you grab that fourth, but dark chocolate reduces the release of our "fight or flight" hormones and also anxiety.
10. Turn off your phone ![]()
If you can't hear it, then it won't cause problems. How many times can you think of that you've gotten a text or seen a tweet that left you eye rolling for days? Exactly. Put it down for a few hours and try to do something more productive then keep a Snapstreak. Look at what you can accomplish!
11. Get a massage
I know that I am definitely one of those people that could probably use an acupuncture maybe three times a week, and that's if I don't have a chemistry test that week. All seriousness though, massages for made for distressing the body, so why not get one?
12. Read a book
If you've read it before or not doesn't matter, grab a good book, or any book really. For the next 300+ pages, you won't be focusing on your issues. You're more worried about the story.
13. Play with your pet(s)![]()
The most amazing thing about animals is that they know when we're upset, they aren't clueless. Their senses pick up on those things. So doesn't it seem fitting that they should be the ones that get our attention and not the problem you can't seem to find a solution for?
14. Take a nap
Not going to lie this was my philosophy for the longest time: When in doubt, take a nap. Still is on some occasions, if I'm being honest. I know you're not supposed to go to sleep mad, but for me taking a nap helps me realize that the issue wasn't even a big thing to start with.
15. Stay away from caffeine
I get it, you need that grande iced caramel macchiato ASAP. So do I, but caffeine is a big factor in why teens are stressed so much. It causes an increase in heart rate which can lead to increased anxiety levels which leads to a very stressed out seventeen year-old at 12:30 a.m. trying to figure out how to find the amount of hydrates in a compound. It's not very fun.
