Whether you have anxiety, depression, are an introvert or you’re just a college student, things get can overwhelming pretty fast. Now, I’m not going to say I’m good at dealing with any of this stuff before it gets out of control, but there are a few things that you can do when there’s nothing to do besides stress over your stress and the stress you’re going to have.

1. Fill your ears.

You could either have a cathartic experience and play some super emotional music that'll help you let it all out or you could listen to some upbeat music. I tend to listen to some heavier music when I’m feeling overwhelmed. Throw on some early All Time Low, Fall Out Boy or just something that uses a lot of drums. Turn up that music, too. Nothing will come from it if it’s played quietly.

2. Slaughter some calories.

I think one of the best ways to clear your mind is to sweat it out. Whether it’s just a quick walk, a full out run or lifting weights, get moving! Exercising releases endorphins and makes you feel good. Use that feeling to propel yourself into taking on whatever you have left!

3. Journal until your pen runs out of ink.

When in doubt, write it out. I take about 15 minutes every morning to journal. It clears my mind and gets me ready for the day. It feels good to get whatever is bothering me down on paper, but it feels like such an accomplishment when you finish one journal and get to start another (I’m only a few pages from getting to use a new one!). There are plenty of sites you can find that have journaling ideas. There are devotionals, or you could just sit down with paper and pen and let whatever’s in you flow.

4. Color inside the lines (or out of them if you’re that dedicated to ruining this planet).

I love to color and I’m in love with the adult coloring book trend. I actually should probably get another one. Coloring was a huge activity for me when I was younger and it brings me back to my stress-free days of being a four-year-old. Color a page and then return to your work with a lot more dedication and motivation.

5. Plan your week like your life depends on it.

I planned out my entire semester this time around and I can tell you that I actually feel like I have some of my life put together. Get a planner, make to-do lists or do what I did and create a spreadsheet that has every single assignment so you can visibly see what is due and when it’s due. You’ll feel great blocking out the data cells when you complete another task.

6. Netflix and forget-about-your-other-commitments.

I suggest watching Netflix after you’ve completed homework as a reward, but you can definitely call me out on not actually practicing this. There are plenty of shows that aren’t long that you could watch in between assignments such as "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," "The Office" and "Parks and Recreation". At 20 minutes long and making sure you cut yourself off at one or two episodes, taking a break may not be too bad for you.

Now, I know what you’re going to say to me, "You don’t have the time to do this stuff! You’re busy and you’re stressing over the things you have to get done!" Do you know how much time I waste in a day? I’m willing to bet hours. So I don’t feel bad if I take 30 minutes to go for a jog or 15 minutes to write a journal entry. If it makes you feel more centered, it’s going to help you tackle whatever you have to do with a clear mind. I think that’s what counts.