I’ve talked about surviving finals week and combatting the stress that comes with it, but let’s get real. As college students, we are always stressed. It’s not just something that pops up around exam time – it’s a constant during your college career.

One thing to keep in mind is stress isn’t something that will magically go away if you do one of the following suggestions. Especially since we all have different levels of stress and a significant difference in how we cope and react with said stress. However, developing a continuous routine to tackle your stressors can really make a difference.

The following de-stressors are a combination of my personal methods and research-backed testimonies:

1. Listen to Your Go-To Playlist

Music is one of the few things in life that can be seen as a universal language. It is so evident and available – everywhere you go, there’s some type of music playing. Even when it comes down to certain activities we do, such as going for a walk or run, our first instinct is to pick up our headphones. There’s a reason behind that. Research shows that listening to music can effectively reduce anxiety and lower blood pressure. I’m not a neuroscientist, but it has something to do with the positive effect music has on our brain which means we release more dopamine.

Although most studies suggest listening to classical music as it’s known to calm anxiety-ridden heart rates – you don’t have to stop there. Figure out your favorite genre, find or make a playlist on an app like Spotify, and play your heart out. One of my favorite ready-made playlists on Spotify is Deep Focus. It’s made up of calming and instrumental “atmospheric rock” tunes. When I need to be tunnel-vision focused on something — like right now — I immediately play that. There are thousands of tracks and genres to choose from.

2. Stretch Regularly 

Make sure you take time out of your day – preferably right when you wake up and right before you go to sleep – to stretch your entire body. It is extremely therapeutic and calming. As you stretch, take time to reflect about positive encounters and thoughts. Try your best to make this a positive-only experience. Over time, it will get you in the habit of appreciating and focusing on the little things. And when you’re super stressed and need to disconnect or detox, I recommend you check out Spotify’s “guided mediation” playlists. It’s a treat for your mental, emotional and physical self! Feeling ambitious? Add regular workouts to your schedule, too.

3. Practice Journal-ing

Much like regularly stretching, writing in a daily or weekly journal is another therapeutic de-stressor. It doesn’t have to be anything advanced, nor does it need to seem diary-like (unless that floats your boat), just something for you to practice reflecting. Thinking deeply about certain experiences, thoughts, people you’ve met, situations you’ve been in, etc. can and will contribute to your overall personal growth. As the saying goes, you live and you learn.

Taking this opportunity will allow you to hold yourself accountable, recognize when you’ve been wronged, discover triggers that affect your mood both negatively and positively, and most importantly, it will humble you to your core. By journaling, you can teach yourself to come to terms with your stress, which will enable a much better reaction. Bonus: it also means you don’t keep negative feelings bottled up – so on days when you just don’t feel like talking about it, your journal is your best method of releasing those toxic emotions. Don’t underestimate the power of an empty book, a pen, and your thoughts!

4. Satisfy Cravings (Or Eat Something Healthy)

Indulge! If you’re having a crappy day or feeling overwhelmed with life as a college student, reach for comfort food. Obviously, there’s a fine line between satisfying cravings and eating in a disorderly function – but I’ll leave that for another post. Bottom line: life is all about balance. You should already be treating your self and indulging in your favorite treats every now and then – that way you won’t feel like you’re punishing yourself, because you know, we all want what we don’t have. And that’s a stress factor! It’s also a misconception that cravings tend to always be some type of “junk” food. I mean, I crave avocados on the regular (lol). Jokes aside – did you know that eating a banana can actually lower blood pressure and decrease your chances of having a heart attack or stroke when stressed? True story.

5. Read for Fun

You’re probably reading this as a college student and mumbling “wtf” – but there’s a reason behind this. Much like listening to music or writing, reading can also be a de-stressor as it’s a type of “disconnection.” Often, book worms are in love with reading because it provides this alternate reality that you can escape to and engage in whenever you want. And maybe getting into the habit of reading for fun will make your readings for class more bearable? Who knows.

6. Go for a Walk

Just a 10 minute walk alone can have countless benefits for both your physical and mental self. According to an article by the Huffington Post, walking can boost stress-busting endorphins, which leads to an elevation of your mood and energy as well as improve self-esteem. Make your walks extra beneficial by making it a group activity. According to the same study, the social support and bond you receive from friends can also help reduce stress. It is also suggested to walk through “green spaces” to help put your mind in a meditative state. However, we all know it’s December and there’s no more green left anywhere, but a brisk walk in some cold, refreshing air can also be helpful!

What are your favorite ways to de-stress? Did one of these methods work for you? We’d love to know. Remember, self care is smart. Best of luck on finals!