Everyone experiences stress, but some handle it better than others. I think everyone needs to find the best activity or combination of some to alleviate the amount of stress. Some people work out every day to burn off the stress and calories, while others visit a counselor three times a month. It all depends on what works for you. Just remember to put your mental health first.

1. Talk to a counselor.

If you’re a student, there is probably a counseling fee that you pay, and might not even realize you pay for counseling services even if you don’t use them. If you’re paying for that service on campus, use it every once in awhile! It really can’t hurt. It might even be cheaper than finding a counselor off campus, and paying a co-pay for a 40-minute session.

2. Take a drive to clear your head.

It’s nice to go explore every once in awhile and get away from your usual surroundings, which might be a cause of your stress. I know whenever I feel stressed at school, sometimes staying on campus doesn’t help the situation so I like to take a quick drive to a plaza nearby with a Books A Million store, read a book, and relax. Sometimes it’s nice to just drive around without a destination. My best friend and I used to leave campus to go for a drive to jam out to music and escape our stress, which always worked. Give it a shot!

3. Journal or start a blog!

If you don’t have an appointment with a counselor in a decent time frame from the onset of your stress, sometimes it seems pointless to talk about your problems a month after it is all over with. Why not write down everything while you’re stressed. You might not be discussing your problems with someone, but you’re still expressing your feelings and getting everything off your chest which is very therapeutic. If what you’re going through is highly relatable or believe that telling others how you’re handling a situation might be beneficial for those going through the same experience, start a blog. Tumblr, Squarespace, Wordpress and Blogger are sites that are inexpensive, customizable in respect to the domain, themes and design.

4. Watch a comedy!

It always makes me feel better when I watch a hilarious film or stand-up comedians like Kevin Hart, Gabriel Iglesias or John Mulaney (all found on Netflix, of course). Find something that makes you laugh out loud, not just chuckle.

5. Watch a sad film.

Sometimes, you just need to have a good cry. There’s nothing to be ashamed about shedding a few tears. With all the anxiety and stress bottled up inside, it really helps to cry it out. It won’t resolve all your problems, but will help mitigate some of the stress. I hate to say it but the films "Marley and Me" (2008) and "Remember Me" (2010) will make anyone ball their eyes out.

6. Exercise.

Exercising can actually alleviate your stress. Going for a jog, playing a quick game of tennis, and lifting weights are a few of the things that can help distract you from your problems. Not only is it a distraction, but exercising produces endorphins which improve your mood. It can improve your sleep and improve your confidence level, as well.

7. Listen to music.

Spotify will definitely hook you up! Click on the tab labeled “Genres & Moods” and listen to music that will cheer you up or even resemble your mood. You can listen to great playlists like “Calm Down,” “Rainy Day,” “Down In The Dumps,” “Mood Booster” and “Have a Great Day!”

There are definitely other ways to de-stress but I have found these seven to be the best. Reply in the comment section, how you de-stress and why it works for you!