With all the negative news going around these days, from mass shootings to needless killings and oppression, it's sure to keep everyone in high-stress mode. Not to mention the stresses we go through regularly in our normal daily lives, like college starting up again.

So, what does this all mean? It means that we could all use some de-stressing.

Here are seven ways that you can relieve stress without treatment or medication. You should definitely be able to find at least a couple that works for you!

1. Meditate

This may sound a little cliche, but it actually works. Meditation may mean different things for different people. So, if you're religious it could be just praying or asking God for assistance/guidance. For me, it comes in the form of prayer, five times a day, where one is supposed to remain focused on the prayer and away from the world around them.

Whatever the way you meditate, If you're doing it right it should take your mind away from the world you're in and focused on other things that make you feel happy or relieved. Doing this just for a few minutes can make a big difference. Do it at least once at the start of your day and it should get you recharged and ready to face a new day full of challenges.

2. Exercise

Not only is this important for your health but is also very helpful to reduce stress. We all probably heard about the detriments that stress causes to our health, constantly being exposed to the "fight or flight" response without moving from our seats. Exercise is a way to put some of this energy into something that is also beneficial to our health.

The only problem is that with our busy schedules exercise may sound like too much to do, but exercising doesn't have to be a strenuous or lengthy project. We can divide it into manageable chunks of time or incorporate it into our daily routines. For example, you could separate the recommended 30 minutes of brisk walking for heart health into three 10 minute walks, if that works better with your schedule. However, I believe the longer you can do at once, the greater the de-stress benefit.

To assist in incorporating exercise into your daily routine, you can get one of those step counter apps which can count the steps you make on a daily basis toward a goal that works for you. You should be dedicating some time for exercise separate from your daily routine, but these counter apps are useful at encouraging exercise and helping you channel what you're already doing into something more enjoyable.

3. Explore the outdoors

Taking in the sounds and smells of the outdoors and natural scenery, can change your mood and take your mind away from the daily routine. If you're exercising outdoors then you're getting a double benefit. Research has proven the benefits of spending time outside in nature, such as helping boost one's mood and relieving stress. Natural scenery is full of fascinating patterns, sounds and smells that can take you out of the world you're in. Not to mention that green is a soothing and calming color for the mind. So, try to make it at least a weekly routine!

4. Adopt a pet

Pets can help bring joy to your life. They also can make great companions because they're always there for you when you need someone to listen. There are literally thousands of dogs and cats in shelters waiting to be adopted. By adopting a pet, you're not only helping yourself, but you're also saving an innocent soul that could have been killed. No pressure!

There are numerous studies about the benefits of pets for de-stressing, and many people claim their pets as "emotional support" animals because they really are. It could be a dog or a cat, or something else. Dogs need more attention than cats, which are more carefree. It depends on what type of person you are and what works best for you. Also, walking a dog can help you exercise and experience the outdoors all in one!

5. Work on your hobby

Clear some time to work on a hobby you enjoy. This could be cooking, playing, fixing something, etc. Whatever it is, if you're doing something you enjoy, it will help you feel better and relieve stress. Make sure to focus on what you're doing while trying to enjoy every moment of it.

I heard a theory that 40 minutes a day is the optimum minimum time to learn a new skill. So, if your hobby involves a skill then you can start improving on it and getting better at it every day. If you stick to that you'll find that you made great progress in a short amount of time.

6. Play sports

Playing sports can be a good way to channel some of the negative energy from all the stress responses ("fight or flight") that we encounter throughout the day. Sports is also a form of exercise that's fun and can be more intense than walking or riding a bike. The competition aspect of it can also add to the de-stress effects of sports.

I've heard of many stories where people found playing sports to have life-changing effects on them, such as giving them a sense of purpose and self-worth. Don't underestimate the power of sports!

7. Read a book

For some people, reading books is a way to help take their mind off of their daily routine and the stress that comes with it. Reading can take you to a different place and help make you feel like your time is not wasted. The subject or category of the book you read depends on your interests.

If you're not already a book reader, find a topic/category that interests you and give it a try. There are millions of books out there so you're sure to find something of interest. I personally prefer reading an actual book as opposed to an e-book, because it has more of a real feel to it. Reading an actual book will also make it easier to avoid distractions that could come from your electronic device, depending on if you're using your phone or a dedicated reader.

For any of these methods to work well, you must stay focused on what you're doing and try not to think about what's happening in your daily life. This is important for you to feel like you're actually disconnected from your current stressors and to get the full benefits of whatever activity you are doing.