A little stress is good for you, but too much can make you want to rip all your hair out. Here is how you can use stress to reduce stress.

1. Simplicity

Don’t think too much, about anything. Keep things simple. Answer “yes” and “no” without having conditions or making up excuses. You don’t owe an explanation to anyone for the things you choose or choose not to do. Cut out as much of your sources of stress as you can. Just do the things you enjoy doing so you can do the things you have to do like studying for that test coming up.

2. Treating yourself

Reward yourself for still being alive. Living is hard. Pick one day a week or one day every two weeks to put yourself on a pedestal. Buy that shirt you always wanted, get you that iced coffee you used to drink every morning before school before you cut back on caffeine, go get your nails done, call up a friend and go see a movie, ANYTHING you want to do. Do it for a day… as long as it’s within your budget. I don’t want anyone to splurge on their rent money!

3. Rest + Relaxation

Know your limits and don’t try to push them. Everyone needs a break occasionally. Don’t be embarrassed to take one. It’s good to keep busy and have a social life, but it’s not so good when you’re running yourself ragged trying to keep up with your peers. If you find it hard to just relax, maybe even schedule in naps or long bubble baths into your busy schedule. Everyone needs time to just breathe.

4. Eating healthier

Throw out the potato chips and soda! Get rid of those Little Debbie cakes you’re hiding behind the canned peas in your cabinet. I mean it! Stop filling your body with garbage and start filling it with substance. Your body needs protein and you won’t find that in most “junk” foods. Healthy doesn’t always have to taste “healthy”. I promise, if you start eating better, you’ll start feeling better and you’ll begin to notice that you have more energy throughout the day.

5. Slowing down

Start doing things at your own pace. Take your time and enjoy the process. Often times stress will cause us to rush through things because we are so worried about getting it done on time or taking the fastest route that we forget to enjoy where we are or what we are doing. Slow yourself down, because I guarantee five or eight or even fifteen years from now, you’re going to wish for days like this one.

6. Searching out new things

If you’re anything like me, I know you’ve been rotating two or three entrees at your favorite restaurants because you’re afraid to venture out from what you know you like. Order something different. Be bold. Travel to new places, drive a little further down roads, go hiking off the trail, speak to the person standing behind you in the Starbucks line, or just do something you don’t normally do. If you start doing things you’ve never done, I’m sure you’ll be quite surprised by what you learn about yourself.