With the beginning of a new year, there are a lot of new things that you may need to handle. Whether it’s a new semester in school or a brand new job, different things can cause you plenty of unwanted stress. Feeling overwhelmed all the time is definitely not a good feeling so it is important that you learn to handle stress in a healthy and convenient way.

In order to conquer stress, you must first find out what is causing it. Stress can be caused by pretty much anything. If you are dealing with a difficult class or your schedule seems like it is a boa constrictor on your personal life, then you should take the time to analyze ways of relieving this stress. Do not feel bad for the things that cause you stress. Everybody is affected differently so what stresses you out may not affect someone else. Everyone’s different and you should not feel as if your stress and feelings are less important than everyone else.

Find healthy alternatives to stress. If you have trouble in a class, try going to tutoring or speaking with your professors. Odds are, you are not the only one struggling in the class and there are plenty of people who are willing to help you with your problems. If you are stressed out with how many things you have to do, make sure to take breaks in between activities or simply take time to relax. Ten minutes of deep breathing can help you feel fresh and relaxed enough to continue your day.

You can also find other ways to feel better. Take a short nap if you become overwhelmed by the things you are doing. Sit down and read a book or watch a movie you like. Drink some tea and avoid foods high in sugar and caffeine. If you find that you still have problems handling your stress, try speaking with a friend. Talking about what stresses you out can help alleviate symptoms of stress. Talking to friends can allow you to get your feelings out in the open while receiving advice from someone who might be dealing with similar things. If you have trouble speaking to your friends, you can also consider counseling. Counseling is a great way to talk about what you are experiencing from a source that is unbiased. Counselors will help you manage your time or give you ways of handling your stress.

Do not feel ashamed of any stress you are feeling. Stress is a natural reaction to the human body and it is not out of the ordinary. Stress in healthy amounts can actually be beneficial as it will motivate you to get work done. If you find yourself being stressed for a large majority of the time, you should talk to someone as this can lead to mental disorders such as anxiety or depression.

Remember to take time off of your daily schedule to relax. Mental health comes before anything.