It is in the natural course of a college student to become stressed out. A certain number of days pass during a particularly difficult week. We look back, and in hindsight notice our descent from a relatively “together” human into a hungry, grumpy, tired, and occasionally grimy crustacean stuck scuttling sideways, back and forth between panic and defeat. Eventually, we become so overwhelmed by each little demand that we refuse its existence, reach for the Oreos, and huddle under a blanket with Netflix, the only one who understands.

The thrill of defiance and indifference towards our responsibilities increases with every second we continue drifting into sweet denial. Then something snaps- “I really have to do that…and that, and that, and THAT, by when??” Next comes the panic we never thought we would feel under any circumstance that doesn’t directly involve life and death, which, to our horror, has become the situation.

Our approach to dealing with the piling on of deadlines, tasks, and responsibilities could, at least in the slightest, benefit from an adjustment. If there is one thing I have learned recently, it is the (obvious) lack of success as a result of those familiar nights of shunning that homework for a long and meaningful date with American Horror Story. So how can we balance our responsibilities to everyone and everything else with our responsibilities to ourselves? Listed below are a few of my most favorite stress relievers and methods of self-care for reviving anyone from an angry zombie back into a person with an emotional range featuring more than “uuuuughhhhhh.”

• Hot drink + music of choice = instant chill mood. Bonus? Affirmation of your own impeccable taste. My personal recommendation is chai tea mixed with a playlist entitled “Soft.”
• Call someone important to you, with whom you can hold an excellent conversation. Faraway friends and family members do nicely.
• Scroll, scroll, scroll. As painful as it is to admit, sometimes there is just nothing nicer than vegging out in front of a screen. Twitter, Instagram, Vine, Tumblr… Pick your poison and let it become your remedy. Helpful hint: After about 20 minutes of scrolling, it’s safe to say that it may become your poison again. Set a time limit for yourself, so this relaxation technique doesn’t become a procrastination technique.
• Work out. Of course you know what they say about endorphins- just don’t forget that it’s absolutely true. Not to mention, getting the blood pumping in your preferred way and breaking a sweat leads to our next method. Two relaxation methods in one!
• One hot shower. Whether or not it follows a workout, a hot shower sends you into a world of warmth and delicious soap and shampoo smells that can be hard to leave. Bonus: when you finally decide to get out, you are soft, warm, and smelling great, much like a freshly baked batch of brownies. I personally consider any day that relates me to baked goods rather than the undead to be a successful one.
• Multiple blankets + 1 book. Cozy body, cozy heart. Need I say more?
• Treat yo’self. Little indulgences in your own happiness can brighten up the most dismal day. Go for something small. Personal examples include: a new pair of comfy socks, semi-fancy new pens, a book on my to-read list, a new coffee mug, a box of junior mints, a cool color of nail polish, a pretty-smelling bottle of lotion, etc.
• Write down quotes and people who inspire you.
• Try to learn something about a topic you’re unfamiliar with. Psychology? Art? Constellations?
• Watch your favorite Disney movie. No shame allowed, singing encouraged.

These are only a few examples of some nice de-stressors. My unprofessional prescription for anyone whose stress seems to have overtaken their sense of self is to practice one stress reliever for an appropriate amount of time every day in order to grow yourself and shrink your stress.