It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The holiday season is in full swing, and in the long stretch of school between Thanksgiving and Winter Break, you might be feeling a bit like this:

But, it doesn’t have to be this way. Stress can be good in small amounts, and it can help keep you focused and motivated. But too much stress over long periods of time can have serious consequences on both physical and mental health. According to the Mayo Clinic, side effects can range from headaches and fatigue, to anxiety and social withdrawal. In order to keep these at bay, you need to know how to cope. Some of the most common coping mechanisms include the following:

• Guided meditation: ask the internet or look for apps like Calm, Headspace, and Stop Breathe & Think.
• Vent: Find a friend, pet, parent, or even pillow and just let it all out. Although done best in moderation, externalizing your feelings is not the worst thing you can do.
• Exercise: Although it’s not the first choice for any self-respecting couch potato, there are more benefits of exercise than just stress reduction. It takes sixty-six days to form a habit, but once that’s over, it won’t feel as hard. Put on your shoes, and get out there. If you already exercise and are still under a lot of stress, perhaps consider a different coping mechanism mentioned.
• Therapy: Everyone can benefit from therapy, even if they don’t think they need it. Therapists and counselors can not only help you work through any personal problems that might come up, but they can also provide tools to be better organized and give you strategies to help reduce your overall stress levels.

Remember that the world is not going to end if you don’t get something done absolutely perfect. You and your personal health are most important, so please remember to take care of yourself, and don’t forget to breathe.