With school right around the corner, anxiety levels have started to rise. Not to worry! With variations of these ways to relax, you can stay as chill as you were this summer all year.

1. Yoga.

There’s a reason that yoga is so popular as a way to relax. Not only is it extremely calming, but it will also help your body to feel better; it’s a great way to alleviate minor aches and pains and also helps to strengthen your muscles. One of the great things about yoga is that you don’t necessarily have to attend a formal class (though I would recommend attending at least one for the full experience); you can find countless tutorials online, and there are even apps dedicated to yoga.

2. Exercise.

Exercising can be a great way to get your mind off of things, and the endorphins will make you feel great! One of the best things about using exercise to relax is that it’s actually productive, so there’s really no way you can feel guilty about taking your much-deserved break.

3. Adult coloring books.

Adult coloring books are more than just a trend; this simple task has proven rewarding for children, teens, and adults alike. Many see it as childish, or just another fad – and it probably is – but that doesn’t change the fact that coloring is incredibly relaxing, and when you’re done you even have something to show for it!

4. Take a nap.

If you’re stressed or anxious about something, sometimes it impacts your sleep pattern, leaving you feeling overtired and worse than before. Taking a nap can be just what you need to feel refreshed and inspired to take on your day! However, I’d suggest setting an alarm, because oversleeping midday can have you waking up disoriented and grumpy, and may just upset your sleep schedule even more.

5. Take a bath or shower.

There really is nothing that helps you to relax more than a mundane task! The warm water relaxes your muscles, and afterwards you will feel refreshed.

6. Drink some tea.

There are certain types of tea that are specifically known for their ability to make you feel relaxed, but I would suggest staying away from any that contain caffeine, which may make you feel more high strung and jittery. If you allow yourself to focus on just drinking the tea rather than multitasking, it can also be a wonderful act of mindfulness.

7. Go outside.

A change of scenery can be so beneficial, and oftentimes getting some fresh air and sunshine can really improve your mood. If you have the time, go on a hike or explore; if you don’t have the time, maybe even take your work outside with you.

8. Take a break from electronics.

Our lives are so consumed by electronics that it’s unreal. How much stress is the internet or even your cell phone causing you? Sometimes muting all of your notifications for an hour can provide you with the space you need to gain some clarity.

9. Make something.

Creating something with your own two hands – a canvas for your friend to hang in their dorm, a bookshelf made out of crates to put on your desk – can be so satisfying. Again, if you can find something that is both productive as well as relaxing, it can help you to feel better about relaxing.

10. Spend time with your friends.

You’re friends with your friends for a reason, and their presence can probably take your mind off of whatever is bothering you enough to relax while you grab dinner or just hang out. If you’re particularly close, they might even have some suggestions for you – sometimes input from someone with a different perspective can be all you need.

11. Go shopping.

If you can afford it, a little retail therapy can be just the ticket! #TreatYoSelf

12. Try meditation.

There are numerous apps and YouTube tutorials that outline how to meditate. Look, it’s probably not going to bring you to enlightenment after your first session or anything, but you can custom tailor your meditation to relate to your stressors and it can help you figure out what steps to take to eliminate your stress – and even just being mindful of your breathing is going to leave you a lot calmer after just a short session.

13. Cook or bake.

This is a great one because what’s better than food? Basically nothing. Cooking can be extremely satisfying (especially if it turns out remotely resembling whatever you were attempting to cook).

14. Teach yourself a new skill.

This is a great one because you feel so productive when you’re doing it. Have you wanted to teach yourself to play an instrument or get really good at makeup? It’s a good idea to pick something that you can continue to build upon, because then you can turn to it for relaxation more often.

15. Read a book.

Reading takes you out of this world and puts you into the world of the book, so it is a wonderful distraction. There’s nothing more relaxing than snuggling in bed with a book.

16. Listen to music.

And I really mean listen to music. Don’t just play music while you’re doing something else. We live in an era where music has never been more accessible, so take some time to appreciate it! Really listen to the lyrics and actively enjoy it. It’s a great distraction, and so relaxing that you might end up falling asleep (a bit hazardous, so if you think you’ll fall asleep maybe set an alarm).

17. Watch TV.

Sparingly, of course – if you binge watch TV that will probably only lead to more stress (assuming that the time you spend watching TV could probably be better used completing the homework that is stressing you out). However, a few episodes of your favorite show can be a welcome distraction from whatever has been causing your anxiety, and the time you allow yourself to rest can be enough to have you feeling a little more relaxed about whatever it was that had you stressed out.

18. Write down your thoughts.

When you write down your thoughts, you can more clearly see what’s bothering you and subsequently deal with it. Plus you’ll thank yourself years later when you want to look back and remember what happened all those years ago.

19. Confront it head on.

Of course, one of the best ways to deal with anxiety is to eliminate the cause of that anxiety – or at least to eliminate one of your stressors. For example, if you are stressing out about a project that is coming up, finish your project ahead of time; don’t put it off or procrastinate. Once you have it out of the way, you won’t feel stressed about it any longer, and the free time you will have to relax will be considerably more stress free.

I hope these tips help you make the most of this school year!