Finals week is coming up soon, and every student knows what that means: stress, and lots of it.

In the last few weeks of classes, it’s always easy to get at least a little stressed out. There’s always an extra-heavy workload, and people often lose a lot of sleep. There are many ways to relax, and possibly get some sleep, as well.

One way to relax is to use aromatherapy. Many places sell candles and incense, which come with descriptions about the scent’s effect on the human body. Students who are living in the dorms can’t have candles or incense, but it is possible to buy sachets or scented pillows.

Two scents that are good for relaxation are orange blossom and lavender. Putting a sachet of lavender seeds inside a pillow helps induce deep sleep.

Another good way to relax, if it’s possible to find a quiet place, is meditation. Breathing rhythmically and concentrating on relaxing can help both the body and mind to relax.

If it’s impossible to find a quiet place, try putting on headphones and listening to soft, soothing music or a favorite CD, whether it’s soft or not.

People who have the time and a mode of transportation, can try getting a massage. Many health food stores, such as Alfalfa’s and Wild Oats, offer chair massages on various days of the week. The massages are usually fairly cheap but quality, because they are given by professionals.

One way to overcome stress is to talk to someone. Whether it’s talking to a family member, a friend or even just writing in a journal, getting your thoughts out can help alleviate some of the stress that you might feel.

Even though finals week can be a very stressful time, there are ways to keep from getting too stressed out.

It’s also a good idea to remember to balance studying, sleep and relaxation.

Getting too stressed can lead to problems with finals, no matter how much studying has been done. Here’s wishing everyone good luck in the coming weeks!