College is seriously stressful enough, not to mention when you have anxiety. Between classes, jobs, greek life, and balancing friend groups, sometimes you just need an escape. My anxiety has been bad for as long as I can remember. When I got to college, my anxiety got so bad that sometimes I felt like I would explode. I was working 30+ hours a week along with taking classes full time. However, I quickly learned the hard way about some ways that calm me down during some of the most stressful times.

1. Yoga

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Yoga is seriously one of the biggest escapes. I recently started doing yoga once a day (whether it's when I wake up or before bed). It relieves so much stress by promoting mindfulness and stretching your body out. It also it a great form of exercise, which definitely is a benefit.

2. Meditation

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Meditation is something that I have been doing for a few years now. It's a little intimidating at first, but there are multiple videos on YouTube where you can follow a guided meditation which makes it much easier. This is probably my favorite way to decompress because all you focus on is yourself: your mind, your body, your breath.

3. Having A Night In By Yourself

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Having a night in, can really mean anything. Whether it's enjoying a glass of your favorite chardonnay, or having a spa night, sometimes spending quality time with yourself can make everything better. We all get so wrapped up in our friends, family, and relationships, that sometimes we forget to spend time with ourselves. I personally cherish my alone time so much. Being in college, you are constantly surrounded by people, and sometimes you just need alone time to recharge.

4. Reading

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It doesn't have to be the longest most intense novel, you can simply read a trashy romance novel, and sometimes it's the best escape. Reading is one of the best ways to decompress after a long day. Curl up in your favorite pajamas, with your favorite cup of tea, and escape onto a sandy beach in Mexico with a tall tanned hunk.

5. Painting

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Painting is so much fun, and you don't have to be Monet to create something beautiful. When my anxiety strikes, my thought go absolutely crazy. Focusing on something else other than your thoughts can be such a beautiful thing. Sometimes a person just needs to create something, and it provides great relief.

6. Log Off

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Turn off everything with a screen and spend a night completely disconnected. This generation especially is so obsessed with social media and other forms of entertainment. Anxiety can be highly worsened when you see other people who you might think are better off than you are. This can lead to a lot of unneeded anxiety.

7. Clean Your Space

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This might sound like one of the last things you want to do, but trust me, a clean environment affects your mental state a lot more than you think. When my apartment is cluttered, my anxiety worsens exponentially. Plus, it helps you forget about how you're feeling on the inside as well.

8. Take a Hike

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If you have a dog, this can be even more enjoyable. Sometimes you just need to be out in nature to remember how small you are. This is a perfect time to distract yourself with nature and the beauty around you. Whether you're hiking in the mountains, or in the desert, there is undeniably beauty in every landscape.

9. Take a Steamy Bath

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Taking a hot bath can be one of the most relaxing things to do. Pop in a bath bomb and close your eyes. This will relax you without a doubt. After you get out of your bath, lather up with your most moisturizing lotion and fall asleep, worry-free.

10. Go On a Weekend Trip

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Maybe you are too caught up with the boring rhythm of things and you need a switch-up. Going away for the weekend can seriously help your anxiety monumentally. Whether its a city nearby, or another state altogether, weekend trips are seriously the best!

I hope some of my experiences and advice help you out when facing anxiety in college!