Some people are blessed and do not get stressed. For people and college students, like me, it can be hard feeling stressed all the time and not knowing what to do about it. However, small changes in your daily routine can help you avoid stress and leave you happier and healthier!

1. Stay away from drugs and alcohol

There’s a reason alcohol is called a depressant. It makes you depressed! People may go to drugs or alcohol to “take the edge off,” but in the end, it makes matters worse because you do not act like yourself. You rely on something else for unhealthy comfort, which ultimately will allow you to make bad decisions and not think properly.

2. Exercise!

Exercise boosts happiness, energy, and overall health! Your memory improves, you sleep better, and you are generally able to perform better at work. Your brain releases endorphins that make you feel good! This will help reduce stress and give you more energy to complete tasks that are hanging over your head.

3. Get enough sleep

Exercising, eating, and sleeping are all crucial to your well-being. You need to make sure you get 8 hours of sleep per night, on average. Sleep helps you retain knowledge, manage your appetite, maintain your immune system, and increase your longevity! If you’re tired throughout your school day, you need to make sure you are getting enough sleep, so you can focus and perform better in class. When in doubt, power naps can be the key to success!

4. Eat well

Eating the right food is extremely important to your physical and mental health. If you make sure you are eating the right food, like veggies and protein, your body will use those macromolecules for fuel. Your metabolism will improve and you will have more energy. If you eat foods that lack important nutrients, your body will not produce the efficient compounds needed for energy, leaving you feeling sluggish and unwilling to get your work done! Avoid procrastination and eat well. Oh, and don’t forget to drink water to keep your brain alert.

5. Organize yourself to get ahead

Take accountability for yourself and your responsibilities by staying organized. Buy a planner or use your phone to keep track of what you need to do that day, week, and month. Long-term preparation helps you manage your time, in order to make sure you complete a task by the due date. Even just writing stuff down helps you feel ahead of things! Having a planner or calendar to set your own deadlines helps manage your time, so you are not rushing or stressing to get a task done at the last minute.

6. Spend time with people who care about you

The people you associate with in your life are very important. Whether it is family, friends, or a mentor, it is important you know who cares about you and to spend time with those people the most. When people care about you, they care about your health and overall well-being. They want you to be happy, so when you surround yourself with those people, they will make you feel better about yourself and your situations you are stressed about. Don’t feel weird to reach out. They are there for you, just like you are for them!

7. Do something you enjoy when you have free time

Make time for yourself to do something that you enjoy to help stressful situations off of your mind and allow you to relax. It could be painting, running, playing sports, watching movies, you name it! If it makes you happy, keep doing it! If you stay in the right state of mind, you are more likely to make smart and healthy decisions.