April is National Stress Awareness Month. Stress is something we all experience at some point in our lives, sometimes more often than we would like. Every year during the month of April many healthcare providers join together to increase awareness about the causes of stress and suggest ways to manage it.

Stress does not have to control your life. Instead you can control stress and live your best life. Here are five positive ways to respond to your stress and get it under control.

1. Meditate

   Allowing your mind to have time to be still and quiet helps reduces stress. “Simple Habit” is an app available on the App Store for iOS devices and Google Play for Androids that guides you through five, 10 and 20 minute meditations. Simply meditating for five minutes a day will help you feel more in control of your life.

2. Laugh

   Laughing really is the best medicine. Talk to a friend or relative that makes you laugh, watch a funny video or TV show or read a funny article. Whatever it takes to make you laugh, do it. Laughing will help you feel less stressed out and more happy.

3. Exercise

   Exercising regularly can help decrease stress. Do an activity that you enjoy, like going for a walk, doing yoga, dancing or hiking. Even just a few minutes of physical activity during your day can help reduce your mental stress.

4. Reduce Caffeine Intake 

   If you’ve been really busy lately, you might realize you’ve been drinking more coffee, soda and energy drinks. This caffeine intake is doing more harm than good. High quantities of caffeine can increase your stress and anxiety. Cut back on caffeine consumption and you will feel less jittery.

5. Get Organized

   You might not feel like you have the time, but it is important to make time to sit down and get your school or work life organized. Update your calendar, respond to those emails and calls you have been putting off and write a to-do list. Getting things in order will help you feel less stressed out.