Finals week is upon all of us college or university students. We are watching as deadlines come nearer and nearer. Some of us struggle to get work done on time. We are focusing on any summer vacation plans and of the predicament of moving out of our dorms. There’s also finals and the big amount of stress they will dump on our shoulders with the final papers and studying for the actual final. I’m here to give you a list of stress relieving activities to do before, during, and after finals week. Remember that stress manifests in people differently and different people have different ways of reacting and dealing with their stress. Some people get angry, some get frustrated, and others may experience health problems. Also remember that stress is momentary and it will not last forever. I hold the belief that if you give in to your stress, it will last longer than it should. Disclaimer: Some of these may work for you. Some may not. And, all of them are legal.

1. Take a walk

This is my number one. This is how I usually deal with stress given by people. I’m pretty introverted so sometimes, I have no desire to be around people or I have the desire to get away from people. So, I take long walks (not on the beach) to help myself calm down. My walks usually end up revolving around nature (like the woods) and some water. Also, a walk is a nice way to get some exercise or just to enjoy the beautiful weather.

2. Pet a dog

I’m serious. Petting a dog has been shown to lower blood pressure. By simply petting one of my two pooches, I can feel calmer. Just go pet a fluffy dog. I think, the fluffier the dog is, the more stress relieved. Probably why universities some time bring in therapy dogs for students to pet around (one) final season.

3. Breathe

Breathe deeply when extremely stressed. It’ll help you calm down. That’s probably because you are inhaling a lot of oxygen and fueling your body. It’s amazing what simply breathing deeply can do.

4. Eat something

I’m not endorsing stress eating. That can be bad. But, it might be good for you to eat something healthy or just a little snack. Make yourself a sandwich and just eat it. A little chocolate is permissible.

5. Perform a mindless activity

Do anything that you like to do that you know allows your mind to completely empty. My personal favorite is to groom horses. It’s completely mindless and I usually forget the time or how long I’ve been grooming a horse. I’m not a fast groomer, but grooming a horse is therapeutic for me.

6. Talk

A lot of people repress their stresses lately. We don’t talk about them until they almost literally eat us up. Talking about them early on will get them off our shoulders so we don’t dwell on them later. Talking about our problems will also get us, or someone else, the help they need. Encourage others to talk if you see them stressed out, too.

7. Read

If you are a big fan of reading, you know that you can easily get sucked right into a book and forget everything going on in your waking world. You can easily place yourself in a different world and just read your stresses away.

8. Paint

If you are one of the people who really needs to take out their anger, consider painting. Do not go hitting people or things. Don’t go breaking stuff. Grab some paint, paper or canvas, a few brushes, and paint. Sling the paint at the canvas. Paint careful little figures. Do whatever comes to mind. Just paint. This is also a pretty mindless activity, I think. Just paint out what you are feeling.

9. Sleep

Take a nap. You’ve had too much stress for one day.

10. Work

Some people deal with stress by working. I don’t know why. It does seem contradictory, but it is what some people know how to get rid of their stress.

11. Take a vacation

Planning a vacation can be rather stressful. But, once you are on that vacation, you can just let your stress melt away. Chill on the beach. Go to a waterpark. Swim in the ocean. Wherever you go, I’m sure you can find a way to relieve your stress. But, don’t do this in the middle of finals week… unless you finished all your finals. Then, you can go wherever you want.

12. Watch a movie

Watch a new movie or watch one of your classic favorites. It might get your mind off some things and you’ll be able to relax after a long-ish day of doing school work or studying for tests.

13. Binge watch a show

Done with finals? In the middle of finals? Click on your Netflix and go binge watch something. Learn about super awesome science with the new Bill Nye show. Don’t spoil me! I have to finish 13 Reasons Why first. I can’t typically binge watch shows, so I’m a little more behind than everyone.

14. Clean

This is probably another mindless task. Just clean things. Dishes, your room, the floors, the dogs. It doesn’t matter. Just clean. It might also be good to relieve some frustrations.