While the end of the year comes jam-packed with a frenzy of activity and fun, the last push to finish can sometimes be the hardest. If you’re like the majority of the population and have been experiencing your fair share of stress at school or at work, and you’re having trouble coping with it at all, fear not, there are ways to manage. We’ve compiled a short run of ideas to help you through this thing with which we’re so well-acquainted: stress.

Read a book.

Reading takes your mind on an adventure without ever leaving the comfort of your couch or bed or chair, if you prefer discomfort. We all need a brief vacation such as this at little to no cost. The great thing about this escapade is there’s no time crunch or detailed itinerary: picking up a great read takes no time, and you can do so indoors, outdoors, or even on the move. With an array of genres to choose from, you’re bound to find the right fit for you, welcome relaxation for your busy mind and a much-needed break.

Take a walk, or go for a run.

Your body needs just as much love as your mind; without it, you’d be left without any method to achieve the goals you’re trying to reach. Stressing yourself too much, physically or mentally, takes a dramatic toll on your health. What’s a surefire way to stem this strain and keep yourself in the healthiest state you can? Exercise! Whether it’s a light morning walk before you begin your day or an intense afternoon gym session, giving your body the attention that it deserves can take out some pent-up frustration and keep your blood pumping, heart racing, and mind clear.

Take some deep breaths.

Namaste? Physical health goes hand-in-hand with mental and emotional. Finding your own sense of “inner peace” can soothe the worries you’re feeling about your obstacles in no time. You do not need to attend a predawn yoga class everyday but take a moment to shut your eyes and count to ten while taking deep breaths in and out through your nose. Practicing this a few times a week (or day; no judgments here) can help to alleviate some of the pent-up frustrations mounting throughout this taxing period and leave you in a better frame of mind to, hey, tolerate more of the stress to come!

Do some of your favorite things.

Although there’s a definite necessity to complete your laundry list of tasks, it’s also paramount to take a break for yourself. Without one, the chances of burning yourself out completely are probable, and you’re bound to do more harm than good to both yourself and what you’re trying to accomplish. Tune into an episode of your favorite tv show or pop in to that movie you’ve been dying to see, play your go-to video game, browse the internet for a bit, create something like a picture or a DIY craft, or simply take a break to catch up with your family and friends. Staying busy might contribute to the stress you’re under, but taking a breather with something you enjoy can give a momentary pause to take your mind off the stress. Your life will thank you.

Whether it’s academic, personal, or otherwise, the stress of the end of the school year is undeniable, but that doesn’t mean you have to let it eat you alive. Though this list only includes a few, these ideas can help give you a start to relieving stress. Don’t be afraid to spread the word about them, either, to both family and friends; you’re surely not the only one facing the last-ditch pressure, after all. Fear not, reader, because the end is in sight– we just have to push through to reach it. But with a management of both time and stress, you’ll be relaxing by the poolside with the words “assignment” and “due date” out of your vocabulary…at least for a few months.