1. Go for a bike ride.
This one may sound pretty basic, but I promise it's effective if you do it right! Obviously pick a nice day outside to ride your bike (if you ride it in the rain you may become very sad, just a warning). Listening to music is the best thing to accompany your already super stress-free bike ride. Personally, I would highly recommend listening to a very positive playlist with some real upbeat music (malt shop oldies-type music if you can get into it). Try not to make the bike ride an exercising bike ride where you're going super fast and sweating through your shirt. Take this one as a leisure ride!
2. Paint
Wait. I'm not artistic though. Hey, that's OK! Most of us aren't. Painting on a canvas isn't the only way to go with this one! Almost every town has one of those "pick out your pottery then paint it for a small amount of money" places (no one knows a name to call the broad category of those places). Those places are so fun, and it gives you a chance to focus on something other than your stress. 'Cause when you're really trying not to mess up on the dog you're painting, who has time to thing about the test you just failed right?
3. Go for a road trip.
Again, this one may sound kind of basic and like it is suggested all of the time. The only thing is you don't have to plan it as much as you think you do! You and your friends don't need to clear your schedules completely and pack a bag full of snacks. Go for a road trip to nowhere! Driving down the road with your windows down (a nice sunny day is recommended for this one as well) and your music playing loud is one of the biggest cures for stress. Even better than music is talking! Yes, I mean actually conversations, even about random things like whatever your dog tried to eat that morning. Just drive and let all of the problems of that day fly out the window.
4. Help out around the house.
"OK, this one is just stupid." That's what you're thinking, right? Well you're wrong! Helping out around the house, especially if you live with your parents, can actually be a good way to take your mind off your stress and be productive. Whether it be pulling weeds in the garden for mom or picking up all the clothes that have become a part of the carpet in your room, you're doing something that helps out while helping yourself. It's basically one of the biggest win/wins. Stuff around the house gets done, and you've occupied yourself all day long and didn't have any time to stress. But I wouldn't recommend doing the dishes (unless that's something you like) because that's a household activity that gives me stress.
5. Make the day a fun one.
In retrospect you should honestly attempt to do this with every day; however, unless you're a professional roller coaster tester, can anyone really do that? Probably not. So when you're stressed, turn the day around and make it crazy fun. Forget everything you had to do that day (unless it's a job, make your money first and plan around that) and just go crazy with doing a handful of the things you've always wanted to do! If you spend an entire day with your favorite people doing your favorite things, there will be zero room for stress because you will be entirely filled up with happiness.
