What do you do when things don’t go as planned? Do you just go with the flow? Or does worry make you not want to have fun? How we deal with stress in our lives depends a lot on who we are, but here are 5 things you can do to keep it in under control:

1. Sleep more. 

In our society, people often get less than 6 hours of sleep a night. But we keep hearing from experts that we need at least 8 hours. Not just to rest our bodies but to rejuvenate our minds. “Tired” and “irritable” seem to go together. Don’t watch the news or finish work from the office in your bedroom. Make that room your safe place to unwind and get away from the day. You can relax by drinking hot tea, taking a warm bath, or reading a paperback.

2. Have faith. 

When you’re feeling stressed, it can help to say a short prayer, especially if the situation is out of your hands. Studies have shown that people with lower blood pressure believe in a higher power. Your blood pressure can also change if you can forgive people. It’s not good for your health to hold a grudge.

3. Turn it off. 

Cell phones have made our lives easier, but they can also be a double-edged sword. We use them so much that we couldn’t survive without them. This means that our friends and family can reach us at any time, and so can our jobs. If your employer has a good reason to have your cell phone number, make it clear when you can be reached and when you can’t. Your free time belongs to you.

4. Take a holiday.

There’s no need for it to be a fancy resort. Spend the day at the beach or spend the afternoon at the park. Just anywhere you can go where you won’t have to think about the bills, work, or any other stress. Taking time for yourself is important, so do it! You’ll feel better if you change your mind.

5. Give yourself a gift.

Join a yoga class at a gym or community center near you. The costs are small, and even one session will help you feel more calm. A monthly spa visit or massage is another great way to re-energize. You’ll feel like a million-dollar bowl of jelly when you leave.

Stress is unavoidable. But it’s up to us what we do about it. Try out these ideas and see what works best for you.