Congratulations everyone, we have finally made it to the end of the year! For most of us, this is an exciting and jubilant time, that is, after all of our finals and moving are done. The next week is bound to be stressful for many of us. Luckily, there are ways to ease this stress, and in doing so will help us be a little more successful in our efforts.

High stress levels affect everyone differently. I, for example, become uncontrollably hungry when things get hectic. Others will lose their appetite, or develop completely different symptoms altogether. For many, stress can cause stiff and/or sore muscles, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, irritability, reduced attentiveness and other changes in digestive function. Sometimes, these symptoms are experienced before a person realizes they are stressed. Being able to recognize these symptoms as stress can often help keep stress levels low to begin with.

When you start feeling stressed, one of the first things to do is admit it out loud to yourself. Dr. Paul J. Rosch, president of the American Institute of Stress, recommends that recognizing your physical or emotional stress signals and then acknowledging them early will reduce the build-up of negativity and anxiety. The reasoning behind this is that it is easier to treat a problem in the beginning when it is less severe than later when the severity has begun to spiral out of control.

There are a lot of ways for people to ease stress. One of the simplest and yet least thought-of ways to reduce the stress you are feeling is to smile. Yep, that’s right, the simple act of smiling can help reduce stress. Although smiling is in fact the result of feeling relaxed and happy, it can also help one feel this way. When a person smiles, nerve impulses are transmitted from the facial muscles to the part of the brain that is in charge of emotions. These impulses stimulate the brain in a way that causes chemicals to be released that make us happy and calmer. When you’re in a bind and not in a position to take any other action, try giving a smile and see how that makes you feel.

As I mentioned before, the smiling theory works both ways. Finding something to do that makes you smile or laugh is also a great way to relieve some stress. After each hour or so of studying, take at least a five-minute break. During that break, find a funny video to watch or a humorous article to read. Engaging in a pleasant and fun activity stimulates the same part of the brain that smiling does, and therefore will help to create a calmer, happier mood for you. When our brains are calm, they usually function a lot better and allow us to think more clearly.

Another fantastic chemical that releases stress is endorphin. Endorphin is one of nature’s greatest cures. It is a chemical that occurs naturally in the body during exercise, excitement, pain and orgasm, among other times.

This wonderful hormone often helps people to feel happy and calm, and can even reduce pain. Needless to say, any activity that releases endorphins is a great stress reliever. Moderate exercise, such as taking a walk or even a leisurely bike ride is great ways to get those endorphins going.

These activities will also allow you to step away from whatever is stressing you out for a while. That little break alone will give you a fresh new look at your task when you get back, which will help you think more clearly in the long run.

Physical activity can always be enhanced or made more enjoyable by doing them with a friend. Social interaction in general has been proven in multiple studies to reduce stress levels and allow individuals to better cope with stressful events.

According to a study done at Ohio State University, students who spoke with a friend before giving an extemporaneous speech were much calmer and delivered their speech more effectively than those who spoke with a stranger and those who spoke with no one.

Spending time and speaking with friends gives a feeling of support. Humans are social animals, so without a sense of community and support, we often flounder. Next time you need a study break, try calling a friend to chat for a bit. If you have time, take a short walk and reap the benefits.

And let’s not forget, sexual activity does a really good job of releasing those endorphins, too. Whether alone or with a partner, having a roll in the hay and reaching orgasm will allow muscles to relax, endorphins to be released and therefore allow the brain to be calmer and happier.

The next week is going to be rough, there is no denying that. Although I have only given a few ways to help you cope, I hope they help ease some of the pressure of the daunting week ahead. Take that walk, spend some time with friends and loved ones, and above all else smile.

Leah Hirsch is a Students 2 Students Peer Educator HIV/AIDS Counseling, Testing and Referral Intern for Johnson County Public Health.