It’s that time of year again. It’s the middle of the semester where you’ve gone so far, and yet have a few more weeks until Christmas. We’re all going through it, and it can be a hectic time. Not only is it stressful, but many are falling sick just to get their academics in line. What can you do to lift that load? Be chill and mellow with these methods below:

1. Take a Walk

It sounds simple enough, but you’ll be surprised how effective this actually is. Go outside, turn your electronic devices on silent, leave your homework at your desk, and focus on your surroundings. When this happens, you’ll be more in tuned with yourself, and that’s a good feeling.

2. Listen to Music

Pandora, Spotify, YouTube, and iTunes weren’t invented for nothing. They were made for pure enjoyment. Take advantage and turn up the tunes. Sing, dance, or just listen, whatever it takes to get your mind off everything’s that bothering you, do it. When you sing, sing in the voice you have and don’t worry about matching the singer(s). When you dance, forget set moves for the song. Let the music flow through your joints with no care. When you listen, listen to the beat, the lyrics. Fully absorb what you’re hearing. Do what you want. Do it like nothing watching.

3. Binge Netflix

What better way to get your mind off your troubles then to mindlessly watch an entire season of a show within a 24-hour period? The only way to make this better is put on your comfiest clothes and pig out on your favorite food, but you were probably going to do that anyway.

4. Take a Long Shower

We tend to come up with our most philosophical thoughts while in the shower. There’s something about being in a tight space with dim lighting a stream of water above you that makes you question life’s mysteries, and convince you that you actually solved it. I’m all for saving water, but even I can’t deny the relaxation that comes from long showers.

5. Have a "Me Day"

When was the last time you did something for yourself (birthdays don’t count)? If you can’t think of it off the top of your head, then it has been too long. Pick 3-4 activities you actually enjoy doing. Whether it is pointless or puts pressure on your wallet, just do it. Just put all of your pent-up aggressive towards your problems into whatever you do. Have no regrets.

6. Clean

Before you give me a weird look, if you haven’t already I promise it works. If you seem to get productive on your school work, get productive in something else. We all have to clean at some point. Take advantage of the opportunity and clean your side of the dorm room (or your place if you don’t live on campus). If you’re feeling really ambitious or just on a roll, take that energy to the bathroom and clean that too. Not only will you feel accomplished, but you’ll have a clean living space. Who doesn’t want that?

7. Read a Book

Only bibliophiles like me may take this one seriously, but give it a try. There’s nothing that compares to leaving this world (not literally) and diving into an another one, which is exactly what happens when you read. Getting caught up in the story, plot and characters will make you forget your stressors.

8. Surf Social Media

Yeah, this is typically what we unexpectedly do while we actually try to do homework, but this time, make it intentional. Before crumpling the paper, you claim to be trash, take 10 minutes to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr, Pinterest, Twitter, etc. Laugh at irrational person’s reaction. Say “aww” to that cute piglet playing on her rug. Go on, you know you want to.

9. Take a Nap

Sure, your issues are still going to be there when you wake up, but at least you’ll be well rested so you act on them practically. Plus, without sleep, whatever you’re working on after you’ve had no sleep, 4 cups of coffee and a Red Bull, may not be your best work anyway. Even a half-hour nap can make a big difference between a pass and a fail.