With only two weeks of classes remaining this quarter, many of us are beginning to enter panic mode. With the pressure to ensure your grades, it may seem like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders, but never fear. Below are quick, simple and creative ways to de-stress during the most stressful time of the quarter.

Meditate

Take as much time as you’d like to sit and focus on your breathing. Focus your thoughts on things that you’re grateful for or things that make you happy. Take your mind off of the things you need to get done and anything else stressing you out in order to have a moment of peace. If you need to get out of your room and into a space where meditation is customary, the Coors Fitness center offers yoga classes. Try dedicating the 15 minutes following the yoga class to meditation. For a list of classes offered in the Coors Fitness Center, visit recreation.du.edu.

Get your blood pumping

Sometimes the best way to escape the stress of school is to walk away from it completely – well, at least for ten minutes. Exercise is a great way to re-energize, and crisp, fresh air will reawaken your brain in no time. The Coors Fitness Center offers a simple answer to this problem, bringing all your fitness needs indoors. Any type of exercise that you feel comfortable with will be beneficial for you. Although it may feel arduous and painful for a while, your body will be relaxed following your workout.

Take a hot shower/bath

For extra relation following your workout, take a hot shower or bath. Even if you’re unable to exercise, taking a hot shower or bath when you feel stressed or at the end of the day will increase blood flow throughout your body, warm up your muscles and ultimately relax your body so that you can get a full night’s sleep or be ready to conquer the remainder of your homework.

Do nothing

Sometimes doing nothing for brief periods of time is the best way to realign and carry on with your day. Check out www.donothingfor2minutes.com. This website challenges you to do nothing for two minutes, using soothing ocean sounds to relax you.

Journal

Although you might be sick of writing, keeping a journal can be really therapeutic. Write down everything stressing you out, what’s on your mind, your worries and concerns, as well as what you’re proud of yourself for accomplishing and your strengths. You can also do this on your computer if you’re unable to find a clean notebook to devote to journaling.

If you can find a way to combine some (or all) of these things into an afternoon or evening, you’ll be able to de-stress at least enough to avoid pulling your hair out. While final exams and essays are sure to stress you out, by utilizing these suggestions in your daily routines, you’ll be able to breathe and make it to the last day of finals.