You wake up between 6:00 and 7:15 am, maybe earlier or later. You’re half awake, but still make yourself get dressed, eat breakfast, and prepare for the day. You’re still just as tired by the time you get to school, but you push through on pure adrenaline and maybe a little bit of fun.

You get home, and you’re exhausted, but you have three assignments to work on, friends to catch up with, and you still need to find time for yourself. It’s a never-ending cycle of being tired, and by the end of it all, you’re just really overwhelmed. One of the best things to do after school is to take a minute to unwind so that when you get to the important things, you’re less stressed. There are so many ways to unwind, and one thing might not work for everyone.

One of the easiest and most helpful ways for some people to wind down is just to take a little nap. It doesn’t have to be long; 15 to 90 minutes is ideal. According to the Cleveland Clinic, napping is proven to improve overall performance, boost your memory, and help with frustration.

Other research shows that napping can make people less impulsive and better handle frustration. It also feels good to completely take a break from everything, only focusing on your sleep. Even if I only nap for around 40 minutes, I feel much better and more relaxed afterward.

Another tip some people find helpful is to go outside and read for a while. The fresh air is super nice and a good way to escape the world you’re in. Time doesn’t matter; 15 minutes is fine, but so is an hour; all that matters is you come back feeling more ready to take on the rest of the day and a lot less tired.

Not everyone likes reading, but you can substitute reading for doing anything relaxing you love doing. Video games, playing a sport, and drawing are all good options. After a long day of doing academic activities, doing something you enjoy means all the difference.

Sometimes people also watch a TV show or a movie. Another good idea is to find an “after-school show” you watch every day after school. It creates comfort and a good routine.

It’s much better to unwind before doing homework and other duties. You feel less stressed and ready to take on the second half of the day.