It's important to realize that stress management is not one single action: it's a process. It's routines and follow through that enable us to carry the burdens of life. There are a lot of pieces to stress management that research and practical experience tell us are essential.

1 . Exercise and eat regularly. Making sure your body is healthy is fundamental to ensuring your mind is right to deal with stress on a daily basis.

2 . Develop routines for daily events. This will make you feel more comfortable and capable of dealing with unexpected events.

3 . Take pleasure in healthy, safe hobbies. It is so important for us to make time in our daily lives where we can enjoy our favorite things to do. If you're concerned about time, start small. 30 minutes to read a book you love or watch a movie you've been excited about. Stress relief happens piece by piece.

4 . Reward yourself for victories. When you set a goal of studying for a test, make sure you reward yourself for the hard work when the test is over. This will give you something to focus on and help reduce anxiety. The reward should be something that excites you. Maybe it's a milkshake from your favorite restaurant or a special movie night with your best friends.

5 . Embrace your feelings. The most stressful thing we can do is ignore our stress. If you're feeling anxious or overwhelmed, talk to someone. Let them know what's on your mind. Even voicing these concerns can reduce your overall stress level! Don't feel comfortable speaking? Try writing about it or recording yourself. Letting emotions out helps us process what's going on.