With school and work back in full swing now that the holidays are over, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed trying to keep up with all you have to do! It’s totally normal to get stressed out as your to-do list grows, so don’t worry. Just follow these 5 steps to make sure you have a stress-free.

Prioritize Your Health

It may seem impossible, but you have to put your body and mind first in order to live a stress-free life! If you’re super hungry, not exercising, and running on 4 hours of sleep, chances are you are going to feel sluggish, and may even end up getting sick.

Don’t See Stress As A Negative Thing

If you correlate stress with negative emotions, of course you’re going to feel down and depressed! But, if you start to view stress as a positive thing, it won’t affect your mental health nearly as much, if at all! How can you view stress as positive, you ask? Being stressed means you are living a fulfilling life!

Don’t Hang Out With People Who Stress You Out

If you have a friend, co-worker, or relative that always seems to stress you out, try to avoid spending long periods of time with them while you already have a lot on your plate. It’s OK to say no, especially if you are looking out for your happiness and mental health!

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help

If you’re extremely overwhelmed, it’s OK to reach out to a friend or family member for help. Don’t feel like you have to do it all by yourself! Having someone watch your kids for the evening or asking a classmate for help when you’re struggling are simple things that can release so much stress!

Get Organized

If you have a lot of clutter, either at home or at work, it can add to your stress level – even if you don’t realize it! By cleaning up, getting organized, and creating some sort of schedule for yourself, you’ll feel much better.