Every successful college student experiences many late nights, staring at a computer screen and cramming for an exam in the morning. There are times when my brain is fried and is no longer able to function. On the verge of a panic attack, I stand up and walk away. I always wander to the same place - my piano.

I sit down, place my hands on the keyboard, and set my fingers free. Whether I am practicing a composed piece or just improvising, my mind is at peace. For the ten minutes I spend playing the piano, I forget all of the assignments, due dates, and responsibilities I have. I must return to reality, and when I do, my mind is at rest and I am ready to get back to work.

My relationship with the piano aids in the dissipation of my anxiety. My stress level is brought down and my mind is refreshed. This is a great example of a healthy stress reliever. Others may include cooking, exercising, taking photos, or even cleaning. Whatever the activity is, it is important that it takes your mind off of your daily stressors, even for just ten minutes.

Although I am extremely grateful for the piano, it took years of hard work and practice to reach my current abilities. Since the age of five, I was practicing tedious scales, repeating lines of a song over and over again until I mastered them, and memorizing numerous pieces. However, playing the piano is like riding a bike - once you learn it, it becomes second nature.

Every year I would perform in a recital, and with every performance brought an overwhelming amount of stress. Now that I am not performing anymore, I can focus on my relationship with the piano. I no longer have to worry about impressing the audience or stress about making a mistake. Playing the piano brings me complete tranquility and I am so lucky to have found my eighty-eight keys to stress relief. A healthy stress reliever is the key to a healthy life. I encourage you to find yours.