As the semester slowly comes to a close, the rush of anxiety kicks its way into your life like it belongs there. Finals, projects, essays, presentations, and more begin to pile on top of you to the point of mental explosion.

But that’s when we need to tell ourselves, “it’s time for a mental break.” Having these breaks are very important because as college students, we are not only dealing with classes, but also our transition into adulthood. So it’s very easy to feel stressed or overwhelmed by everything.

Mental health days can be beneficial for your health and help reduce the stress. Here are ten ways to have a mental health day. I’m not saying that all ten will work, but maybe you can find a couple you like.

1. Breaks!

Whether it’s studying for that last exam or gathering information to put together a presentation, taking a break in between can really help with the stress. It’s hard for some people to get out of the zone once they start doing work but stress, whether you realize it or not, builds up because of the pressure or anxiety to complete the task. But if you take small breaks, at least for ten minutes in between working, it could stop stress from building up.

For some people, taking a break and then going back to their work can give them different perspective towards their work.

2. Meditation/breathing exercises

Some people might think it’s silly, but breathing slows down your heart rate, releasing anxiety and stress. Just a simple breath in and out a few times can help you continue your work without too much panic. Sitting down in a quiet place for a few minutes can give the same results and even remove some of the clutter in your head.

3. Working out

For those of you who love hitting the gym, working out can be a great outlet for your stress. While working out, you’re releasing different hormones in your brain that can relieve stress. Exercises like yoga and stretching can release muscle tension and even cleanse your mind from the anxiety.

4. Nap!

It’s simple. Turn off your laptop, set an alarm, turn off the light, and wrap yourself in your blankets, even snuggle with a plushie or stuffed animal, then proceed to dive into dreamland. Take a five-minute nap, or an hour, or whatever works for you. Nap until you’re no longer overwhelmed. I know some people find it hard because they feel like they’re not being productive, but you would be doing your body a HUGE favor. Similar to taking a small break, you’ll be able to go back to work with a fresh mind, and if you were stuck on something, you will have a new perspective on it.

5. Creating art

If you’re an artsy person, creating art can be a great distraction. Even simple doodles with a pen and paper are all you need. Pull out your brushes and paints; it doesn’t have to be something extreme, just let the creativity flow. You can explore a new medium; anything that can take your mind off your work for a couple of minutes.

6. Eat, drink and be merry

Being so immersed in your work, it’s sometimes easy to forget or be so focused on your studies that you realize that you haven’t eaten all day. So maybe keep a snack, like a granola bar or fruit cup, nearby to prevent the lack of nutrients for the day. Drinking water is also important because keeping hydrated keeps you from passing out from exhaustion.

7. Watch TV or videos

Find your favorite show or series, whether it’s cartoons, anime, or a superhero movie, and just watch a few episodes. Some people are able to multitask by watching something and working on assignments at the same time, but some people find it a distraction. Either way, you’ll start to realize that you’re less stressed out from laughing at a funny scene.

8. Showers

This can go hand in hand with taking a break because some people find relief in taking showers. It’s another way of stepping away from your work and then coming back to it with a clean mind and body.

9. Listen to music

Listening to music is the most common way for college students to do work. It can also be a stress reliever. Soft classical or jazz music is some students' weapon of choice. Then you have others who prefer to listen to beats they can dance to like a Kendrick Lamar or Cardi B song.

10. Change of environment

A change of environment can change your mood and sometimes relax your anxiety. Depending on how you like to study, a quiet place or a place with multiple people might work for you. But for a mental health day, it might help to change in scenery beside the walls of your dorm room or the crowded library. If it’s a nice day, maybe take a small walk and have some fresh air flow through your lungs. Or if you’re a people person, call up some friends to go eat and even hang out for a while because they will definitely need a break from their studying too.