With finals right around the corner, this time of year is known as a stressful one as the semester winds down. While finals can cause a lot of stress, there are many simple ways to combat that stress. One popular way to relieve stress is through exercise because it reduces levels of stress hormones such as cortisol and releases endorphins which improves your mood. Exercise is also known for improving quality of sleep which also lowers levels of stress. Before going to get your morning coffee, be conscience of how much caffeine you’re intaking. Drinking too much caffeine can increase your stress, therefore it’s important to make sure you drink caffeine in moderation. Writing in a journal can also help relieve stress. Writing not only about what you’re stressed about but also what you’re grateful for can help relieve stress, especially if you focus on the positive. Before or after school, practicing yoga is a great way to combat stress as it is known to lower cortisol levels and blood pressure while enhancing your mood. Instead of ordering fries for lunch, bring a healthy lunch from home filled with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Meditating or practicing deep breathing for just a few minutes each day is another great way to combat stress and it can be practiced anywhere. Getting enough sleep is one of the most important ways to combat stress and ensure positive performance on exams. Putting your phone away at least a half hour before going to bed can help you fall asleep faster.

For those who love to procrastinate, this is the time to change those habits. Procrastinating completion of study guides, homework assignments, and studying will only lead to a mountain of stress to build up. Instead, start reviewing old notes and homework assignments now and make sure to complete missing assignments as soon as possible. Don’t wait till the night before exams to finish study guides, complete them as soon as possible and take advantage of time available during class, advisory, spartan plus, and common prep to complete assignments and ask questions.