Let’s face it. We lead stressful lives. We have to deal with our school days, friends, homework, extra-curricular activities, studying, tests, deadlines, applying for college, chores, family, and more. Considering that we have this much going on, it’s no wonder we’re stressed out, and that leads to a much less happy life. So, how can we deal with stress?
Although going on a surfing vacation, exploring mountains, or traveling the world can certainly relieve stress, we can’t do that on a regular basis when we just need to de-stress from homework. Here are 5 simple things that you can do to de-stress your everyday lives.

Breathe:
One great way to relax is to just take a few deep breaths. Close your eyes and take long, deep breaths. This will calm you down, and clear your head.

Exercise:
Another way to get rid of stress is to go for a short walk. If you have more time, do it in nature. If you’ve ever set out for a walk with a head full of problems, you know that it works wonders. That math problem that seemed impossible and scary suddenly seems reasonable. You have an idea for how to start that essay, instead of staring at a blank screen for an hour.

Eat Healthily:
Eating certain foods can also help alleviate stress. For example, bananas, avocados, nuts, carrots, and even a bit of dark chocolate can provide a calming effect. Drinking decaf tea can also promote relaxation.

Listen:
Listening to soothing sounds can give you a chance to tune out your surroundings and just be yourself. Wave noises anyone? Babbling brook? Classical music? Find a sound that soothes you, and listen to it whenever you feel too stressed out. Search Spotify or other music services for “relax” or “de-stress”, and just listen.

Talk:
Talking to your friends and family is not only enjoyable, but it can also reduce stress. Socializing means that you aren’t just trapped in your own head, thinking about your problems. Talking with someone can help get your mind off of your worries, and socializing meets the human desire for connections.
Even though a 2-week vacation to Hawaii does help de-stress, the techniques on this list are things you can do in 5-10 minutes every day to help make your life less stressful. So, if you’re feeling that tension, that feeling that you have more work than you can deal with, try something from this list. Find a technique that works for you.