1.

Smile. If you smile you will begin to feel relaxed and happy, but you can’t use a fake smile! Dr. Cooper explains, “Smiling transmits nerve impulses from the facial muscles to the limbic system, a key emotional center in the brain, tilting the neurochemical balance toward calm.” In high school terms, your smile makes you brain feel calm, which makes you calm down.

2.

Slow down. Many people rush around and hurry. If you just take the time to slow down, either while your walking, talking, or driving you’ll begin to feel more relaxed. Take your time, but don’t be late for class!

3.

Stand tall. When some people become stressed they begin to slump as if they have the weight of the world on their shoulders. Dr. Cooper explains, “ Slumping restricts breathing and reduces blood and oxygen flow to the brain, adding muscle tension and magnifying feelings of panic and helplessness.”

4.

Put in on paper and breathe. Whenever you feeling stressed, just write down your feelings on paper and take deep breaths. Give yourself some alone time and just write. This calming procedure really works!

5.

Stretch. Sometimes it just feels good to stretch those arms and legs! Now this doesn’t mean you should stand up in class and start doing jumping jacks, or a whole aerobic exercise. Just enough to loosen muscles and encourage some deep breathes.

6.

Just take a walk. Whenever you feel really pressured and need a break, just ask to be excused and take a walk. Even if it’s just to the bathroom or between classes. It improves blood circulation, which will make you feel a little less trapped.

7.

Warm up. This isn’t like warming up for a game, but it just means to warm up! If you rub your hands together and cup your eyes the warmth and darkness is comforting.

8.

Shake it up. This one is for all those outgoing people. Go somewhere where no one can see you (or out in the open if you like) and begin to shake vigorously. Just put your hands out in front of you and shake it like you’re a wet noodle! This exercise helps really nervousness and of course stress.

9.

Laugh. Whenever you laugh you begin to feel warm and fuzzy inside. Plus your mind gets off whatever our stressing over. If it’s hard for you to laugh just right off the bat then think about something that you and your friends have done that was HILARIOUS! Or an inside joke. That always works.

When finals come around or when you begin to stress, just remember these few suggestions. Good luck to everyone on there finals! You’ll do great!