Welcome to week 10 of my quarter, where I have four essays and three final exams to go within the next week— and that’s just academically. So today I’m going to keep it short.

I don’t know about anyone else, but when things get busy, I tend to skip meals or sleep, missing out on what I really need to be doing to keep myself going in the process. Since we’re all human and I’m probably not the only one who does this, here’s a little list for you (and a reminder for me) of 7 things you can do to keep yourself sane when life gets hectic.

One– Music

Did you know that there’s a song called Weightless by Marconi Union that is proven to reduce anxiety by 65%, designed specifically to reduce blood pressure, lower cortisol levels, and reduce your heart rate? Not only can music help calm you down, but it can also just give you a quick break in the middle of a busy day. So grab some headphones, pick a playlist, sit back, and relax for a minute.

Two– Food

As I like to remind my dad who always seems to forget food, you can’t be productive without bringing anything to sustain yourself. They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but the key thing is to remember to actually eat all three meals in one day. Sustenance is important! Can’t do anything well on an empty stomach right?

Three– Netflix

Need I say more?

Four– Breaks

Even while burnout is more common over the course of a year, it’s also possible in a day— on a smaller scale, but still. A lot of us have a tendency to go full speed ahead all the time, forgetting that even while we may not have completely finished a task, it’s six hours later and we haven’t taken a single break. Just to keep yourself sane, remember to take breaks whether they’re for a snack, a shower, a walk, etc. Make a little time for what is important.

Five– Get Up, Get Out

A change of scenery can do wonders for productivity. I know I can get in this mode of practicing problem after problem or re-reading essays so much in the same place that it starts to feel very trite very quickly. Sometimes a walk or a quick tea break can help.

Six– Phone a Friend

Well, maybe you don’t have to call them, but a friendly face/voice can always be a comfort when things get really busy. I know that people think my generation doesn’t know how to value real social contact, but I can tell you that definitely appreciate taking breaks just to talk to someone or catch up for a minute. That being said, if you’re anything like me, it’s a slippery slope between a five minute call and an two hour one.

Seven– Breathe

Stop for a second. Whether you’ve been going all day or just really need to grind, a lot of times I know I forget that air is supposed to be moving in and out of my lungs in the process. But just like food, oxygen is necessary to keep going and good for the soul. Remember to take a step back a breathe for a moment. Then it’s back to work.

So with that, I will leave you with these seven tips and good luck with anything you’ve got going on these days. Have a great weekend everyone!