Stress. It comes in all shapes and sizes. We’ve all experienced it to a certain degree, but if you’re anything like me, you probably let more things stress you out than you should. And if you’re really like me, the people around you, telling you to “stop stressing out,” are not helping in the least. Sure, sometimes we’d like to be more like our laid back “type B” friends, but then we remember that presentation we have due in two weeks, or the load of laundry we have to get home to fold, or (crap!) that work meeting we have a month from now with our boss. When even some of the smallest tasks or problems begin feeling heavy and stressful, we often turn down that dinner date with our best friend, or choose to not be social in hopes that our isolation and focus will take away our obligations. From personal experience, I can tell you – that doesn’t work. As much as you’d like to justify staying in your room to work on that presentation due in a few weeks that seems to be weighing down on your life, getting a few more slides done for the PowerPoint that night won’t make a huge difference, but the time spent with your friends will.

For all of my fellow Type A's out there, you know how that goes. You find yourself wrapped up in some of the smallest things, that it truly takes away from some of the best potential memories in life. From one Type A to another, I’m here to share some of the ways that I’ve tried to stop letting such temporary struggles get in the way of my permanent wellbeing.

1. Stop Making To-Do Lists

I know, this sounds crazy. How could you possibly go into a week or a day without knowing exactly what you have to accomplish every hour? Trust me, you can do it.

There was a point freshman year of college when I was writing down every single assignment I had due for the next month in 3 different places. Then, I started adding in what workouts I had to do each day, which meetings or office hours I’d attend, and then eventually it became so bad that I was actually scheduling the exact minute that I was going to eat my meals. Just thinking about that made me stressed. When I was one minute off my schedule, I became more overwhelmed. At one point, I looked at my schedule for the week ahead and couldn’t remember the last time I gave myself a relaxation day, or made time to unwind with friends. That’s when I realized that I’d probably be better off and feel more accomplished at the end of the day if instead of to-do lists, I’d just set realistic goals.

Now, I have a realistic, loose, and healthy schedule to follow that I don’t feel so guilty about not getting through if something else comes up. It’s all about time management. Putting these goals on paper next to a positive quote each morning has me feeling less stressed before the sun is even up.

2. Stop Isolating Yourself

Staying inside and saying no to things that you know would make you feel happy and juvenile won’t take your stress away. If you justify having no social life because of your anxiety or because you’re overwhelmed, you’re going to sit in your room (maybe doing the work, but probably not) and dwell on it even more. I’m definitely not suggesting that you hit the mall or the club every time you have a paper due or a test coming up, but I am suggesting to leave time in your day to make social interactions a priority, even if you don’t finish the entire paper in one sitting.

If the people you’re around are positive and jovial, chances are you’ll be able to let go of what’s causing so much internal conflict for a little while. This one clicked for me when I almost said no to going out one night because I’d be leaving my room messy and would be too tired to clean it when I got back – what!? Ten years from now, you’ll remember the nights out and dinner dates with those that mean the most to you, not that you were able to clean your whole room or finish your entire paper and still be in bed by ten.

3. Take Care Of Your Health

You know those things that everyone says make you feel really good after exercising? Those are endorphins. You might think, how could adding another thing to my daily schedule possibly have me feeling better? Trust me, it does. This form of stress relief is different for everyone. I’ve played sports and have been on teams my entire life, so I’ve always been physically fit. But, it wasn’t until I stopped being on a sports team and had my own time in the day to workout alone that I really started using exercise as a time to unwind. For me, it’s running. I’d always run a few miles a week for my sports teams, but when it started being just for me, it felt different – better.

Now, I purposefully schedule my longest run of the week (usually 8-9 miles) on Thursdays, which are also my busiest days of the week. There is nothing better than going for a long run with my favorite songs playing after being in class from 8-3. Yes, I always have a lot of homework those nights, but I’m more productive when I give my brain a break and tell myself it can be done after I run. Whether you choose to walk, run, bike, swim, do zumba or yoga – whatever it is, make it a priority. You’ll feel better and more at peace by the end.

Endorphins are not a myth, they’ve worked wonders for me on some of the busiest days of my life and they’ll work for you too. Pair these endorphins with making healthier food choices, and you’ll feel unstoppable. The key is always moderation. Sometimes, stress leads us to restrict eating so that we can feel in control of something when everything else is spiraling out of place. But, if you can make it a point to simply eat “cleaner” during the day, and still treat yourself to the cookie after dinner, you’ll be golden.

So, if you’re a stressed out “Type A” like me, I can tell you that these three things will not automatically transform you into a “Type B," but they will help you find your balance. Being Type A is certainly not always a bad thing; someone has to keep everyone else in check! Trust the process and make yourself a priority to gain control of your life in even the most trying of times.

“You will find that it is necessary to let things go; simply for the reason that they are heavy.” – C. Joybell C.