Do you feel like you are going into this week with your stress levels high because break begins on Friday and there are four papers, five tests, and two projects due all at the same time? Same. Whatever grade you are in, things can be stressful! Take some time to relax and take a break, and read these seven steps that can make you feel like you are invincible.

1. Sleep

Yes, it sounds so simple, and, yes, I am the type of person to go one of two ways: sleep for so long and avoid all responsibilities, or not sleep at all because there is no time for sleep.

First, there is always time for sleep. As a busy college student, it’s challenging to get on a steady sleep schedule that is consistent, but aiming to go to bed and wake up around the same time will help your circadian rhythm, which will make you feel more awake in the mornings, preparing you for a better day! There are many more health benefits to sleeping, and sleep can keep you healthy and happy.

2. Eat well

This is another difficult thing to do sometimes if you do not have full access to a kitchen or have meals prepared for you, but making sure that you getting all three meals in throughout the day, and eating at a decent time will help you out! If it is too hard to have healthy foods throughout your whole day, maybe strive for one or two meals being healthy, and eating one out.

Make sure to limit the number of foods with refined sugars, and processed foods; these types of foods make it hard for the body to regulate insulin and promote inflammation and oxidative stress. With this, eating well will provide you with more energy and sustenance to last you throughout the day.

3. Exercise

Finding time to go to the gym or even walking a little quicker to classes will help you out! This is a great way to recharge the body and the mind. When you work out, you are enhancing your overall cognitive function because working out can help you feel less tired, help your concentration and alertness, and it can actually counteract the stress! Working out can release endorphins that improve your ability to sleep, which can help reduce your stress! Go jump on an elliptical for 30 minutes and see how you are feeling after!

4. Be present

Even if there is so much going on, there is always a little bit of time that you can spare that you can allow yourself to relax. If this means taking a break from studying for 30 minutes to watch an episode of Stranger Things season two, then do it. Your brain and body need a break! Even if it is something on the more simple side like going on a drive, or listening to music for 15 minutes, those will do! It gives you a short break to stop, recharge, and then have a fresh start on what you are working on!

5. Write out a to-do list

This can be the most simple or complex list you have ever made! What I like to do is write out literally everything, and then build it as I am still thinking of things. You can write things that you are able to cross off automatically, so it feels like you are getting things done. With this, you have all the things you need to get done in one, handy little list that can be checked off so quickly. The feeling that you get at the end when you complete it is like no other.

6. Pet your stress

Dog, cat, rabbit, whatever. Petting animals has so many benefits. One of the many benefits is that they can decrease your blood pressure, which is one physical measure of stress. Along with this, they decrease our reactions to stressful situations, this is why dentists sometimes have fish in their offices. With these benefits, it’s a nice way to get you through your homework with some furry company alongside.

7. Meditate

Yes, this can sound silly, but meditation can be so simple. There is no need for fancy yoga mats or essential oils for meditation. Meditation can be done almost anywhere you go! Some benefits are that you can gain a new perspective on stressful situations, build skills to manage stress, reduce the negative emotions, and increase imagination, creativity, patience, and tolerance.

Taking a short break to meditate can bring yourself back into a mindset of relaxation and will help you move forward with what you are doing. Deep breathing and yoga are two great things that you can do for your body.

Overall, there are many things that could potentially be stressing you out, but these tips and more can help you with anything that you have going on! As finals are coming up in just a few short weeks, you can keep these tips in your back pocket for when things start up again.