Although we have only survived the first two weeks back at school, the stakes are rising and homework seems to be forever exponentially increasing. As high school students, we have to keep up with the burden of maintaining that ideal GPA while balancing out extracurriculars with hours of practicing violin and winning volleyball matches. As we enter our final years of high school, studying for the SATs while trying to keep up a healthy social life seems quite impossible, and just the thought of all those application forms for college makes our heads hurt.

Follow these quick and easy tips for a few luscious hours of stress-free bliss.

1. Curl up on a fluffy couch of pillows while softly playing some mellow tunes in the background.

After a long day, the best time is "me time." Change into some comfortable, loose clothing, grab yourself a mug of coffee or tea and settle down on your couch while vamping your comfort with a few extra pillows and fleece blankets. Try to allow in some ambient natural light and fresh air. A wide open space with no clutter is best. Now that you have settled into heaven, welcome your furry friend and hit play on your Bluetooth speaker to enjoy an hour of relaxation. Reading a book or doodling will help take your mind off of your greatest worries.

2. Make yourself an aesthetic acai bowl and fruit smoothie, and try to get your best Instagram picture.

Eating healthy is always a great way to make sure your body is functioning at its best. On the other hand, making your own artistic edible creation is even better. You can let your mind wander to whatever you'd like your delicious snack to be, and while you're at it, play with different lighting tones and angles to capture the perfect social media shot. This way, your mind is occupied with something new, and your focus is on a more creative matter other then just paragraphs and paragraphs of historical texts. Not only will your stomach be happy but so will your heart.

3. Surround yourself with your favorite scented candles, and take a soothing salt bath.

Whether it be Cinnamon Rolls or Cherry Blossom, your favorite candle or soap scent represents something about you. At school, you don't have much time to think about yourself, and reflect upon how much you've achieved through the years. As you come home after hours of cross country practice, your muscles deserve a warm compass and relaxation. Salt baths, especially Epsom Salt, have great effects on relieving muscle strain and tension, so while you're at it, maybe turn on some music, grab a chilled bottle of sparking water and settle in.

4. Talk to a close friend who you often don't see.

Though having some time alone is important, having someone who you can truly open up with and discuss your struggles is equally as important. Call up someone trustworthy and meet at a small bubble tea cafe or simply walk over to their house for some quality time. Especially for those who you do not see often, you can truly spill everything that's on your mind, and perhaps, you may find the answers you are looking for! On the other hand, you can truly gain some confidence as you get reassuring advice that says "Everything will be alright," which is just what you needed to hear. Right?

5. Submerge yourself in a disconnected musical, literary and artistic world.

Sometimes when life gets tough, the one remedy is to simply bundle yourself into a different reality. It can be associated to the music your listening to, the book you have your nose buried in and even the canvas that your brush is softly perched upon. In this alternate world, you can forget the chaos of life and the struggles of growing up. Find your happy place and take in the best of it for a few hours, and you're sure to rejuvenate your spirit. Whatever is occupying your mind, dismiss those with the powerful lyrics of your Lorde song, or spill your emotions into a sophisticated drawing that no one will understand, but hey, at least you got it off your chest.

6. Revisit your camera roll filled with cherished memories from summer.

I bet you. Just looking through those silly pictures of you and your friends going out for dinner and visiting amusement parks will surely put a smile on your face. Perhaps those hilarious videos of people being embarrassing will throw you straight into a laughing fit, but whatever it may be, memories are the most important. By bringing yourself to those times of stress free summer days will surely help lift your spirit, and take your mind off of that AP test you have tomorrow.

7. Watch random videos on YouTube.

Out of the millions of videos on YouTube, there must be one that satiates your craving, whether it be a trip vlog, a "how to make ice cream sandwiches" documentary or simply satisfying slime videos. Maybe you're in need of a few laughs from FailArmy, some taste testing videos from Rhett and Link or just pure aesthetic content from Connor Franta. It can be easy to get carried away, so I advise you to be careful, and keep track of your time!