Stress is omnipresent in the world today, yet it is completely unnecessary. People stress out over relationships, school, work, their appearance, and even things so trivial as the weather or how many likes they get on their Facebook posts. But what’s the point? Does being stressed out get you anywhere? Does it prove itself beneficial in any way, shape or form? I’d be willing to argue that the answer is no.

I get it -- it’s extremely difficult to ward off stress, to look it in the face and say, “No, you’re not dragging me down today,” but it can be done. Once you realize how pointless stress is, then you are one step closer to combating it. Picture this: you’re freaking out because you’ve got a huge exam tomorrow and will have to stay up all night studying. There are two things you can do: one, strap on your stress pants and have a major meltdown, or two, breathe in, breathe out, and grasp the fact that within 24 hours, the test will be done and you’ll be able to relax, so instead you hole up in the library for a few hours, utterly determined and focused. Which option sounds best to you?

My point is, the majority of the things people stress out about won’t even exist come next week -- or they are uncontrollable -- so why worry about them when they are only temporary or can’t be changed?

I’m not deluding myself into thinking that I’ll never fall prey to stress again, but by understanding how meaningless stress is, I can at least alleviate the bulk of it, and hopefully you can too.

If you still get bitten by the stress bug, try these six methods to give it a swift kick in the butt.

1. Smile.

Believe it or not, simply forcing yourself to smile can help you feel happier and less stressed. Smiling makes the world go round.

2. Take a quick breather.

If you’re in the middle of an essay or a long assignment and can’t afford an hour off, step back from it and take a short break. Even if you just stand up and stretch or scroll through social media for five minutes. What seems like an insignificant amount of time can be enormously helpful to your well-being.

3. Call a friend or family member.

Vent to your friends or family. That’s what they’re there for; don’t feel like you're being a bother, go for it! I’m sure they need to unpack some of their mental baggage as well. Perhaps you’d be doing them a favor!

4. Get lost in a story.

Whether you pick up a book you’ve been dying to read, or catch up on your favorite TV show, getting lost in another world can help you escape your troubles for at least a little while.

5. Take a hot shower or bath.

If you’re stuck in a college dorm, head to the showers and calm down under a waterfall of soothing, hot water. If you have the luxury of being home and having a bath in your house, soak for a half hour or so and maybe light some scented candles and add bubbles to pamper yourself even further.

6. Exercise.

Nothing feels better than a good run when your mind is crammed with dozens of to-do lists. Exercise clears your head and is guaranteed to lift your spirits. No one ever says they regretted a workout, they only regret the ones they didn’t do.

To conclude, I beseech you to combat stress and relax! A positive mindset can do a world of good! (And looking at adorable pictures of animals never hurts.)

So keep your chin up and your smile wide! Everything will turn out alright.