As college students with debt, low-paying jobs, and an endless amount of homework, life can be a little stressful. Each of us establishes coping mechanisms to handle our busy lives, but some tactics are not so healthy.

Avoid regressing to a fetal position and comforting yourself with a Netflix marathon when work seems daunting.

Instead, try a few of these helpful tricks to calm yourself and collect your thoughts to be more productive:

1. Make lists.

According to Dr. Betty Burrows, making a list of your obligations can be helpful to organize your thoughts. Writing these down on paper makes tasks more conquerable.

Try to list things very specifically. For instance, instead of saying “complete research project” try “find seven sources on my thesis by Friday.”

Make realistic goals with specific deadlines. Don’t allow yourself to be overwhelmed by any item on your list. It will be easier to approach these tasks when the stipulations are specific. Including deadlines will help you avoid procrastinating. This often results in more stress. Crossing these items off your list will feel immensely rewarding and encourage you to continue your progress.

2. Slow your breathing. 

Harvard Medical School lists several exercises to slow down your breathing, which can reduce stress. Find a quiet and neutral space in which to close your eyes and focus on your breathing. This step can be easily combined with yoga, as it is strongly associated with breathing exercises.

Breathe deeply from your diaphragm. You can also try doing this while lying down. Take turns relaxing different muscles starting with your toes. Work your way up to your head and make sure that you are relaxed in the mind and body.

3. Try yoga.

Yoga classes can be expensive and intimidating. Why would you want to struggle to touch your toes next to a woman who bends herself into a pretzel shape? But thanks to the age of technology, there are YouTube videos for just about everything. Try some of these yoga poses in order to calm your mind and body. Practicing these posts will help lower your heart rate and slow your breathing.

This video — and others like it — can provide you with an at-home yoga experience:

4. Drink tea.

Normally, you should avoid sugar and caffeine when stressed. Many herbal teas can serve as a coffee alternative and are designed to help calm and relax individuals.

For instance, chamomile tea calms and is often drunk before bed. Jessie Vernon Trail, from Tea Magazine, advises drinking herbal teas to feel refreshed and soothed.  Tea can be caffeinated or non-caffeinated depending on your preference.

If you also want to snack, try vegetables and fruits as opposed to salty or sugary snacks. You want to feel healthy and awake to complete the tasks ahead.

5. Exercise.

As long as you haven’t already put off your work, try to make time for exercise. A simple 30 minutes to an hour a day of exercise can relieve stress and release endorphins.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, exercising has been proven to reduce tension and stress in people who suffer from anxiety. By exercising your body, you can alleviate stress manifested in your muscles and joints. Endorphins act as painkillers and help the body sleep easier at night as well. The influence of exercise varies from person to person, but it can be a supplementary tool to rid you of stress.

The long-term effects of these practices can help you feel more at ease and able to approach life’s most challenging days in the future.