Crunch time is here; classes and work seem to have piled up out of no place, so you’ve locked yourself in the Bartle Library. But the repercussions of tackling a large workload, without giving yourself time to de-stress, can actually be detrimental to your grades.

In fact, according to an American Psychological Association survey done in 2004, 62 percent of Americans have noticed that their stress level negatively impacts the productivity of their work.

As spring semester comes dawdling to a close, don’t feel bad about a rising stress level — be proactive. Sitting at a computer, struggling, only increases frustration. There are quick and easy ways to de-stress before returning to your work, with a fresh perspective.

Adina Lowy, an undeclared freshman, explains the repercussions of stress on her work life.

“When I am stressed I study so much extra, and I just get frustrated,” Lowy said.

Jai Kai, an international success coach and yoga instructor, recently wrote an article for zenhabits.net called, “8 Unconventional Ways to De-stress and Release Tension.”

In the article, Kai encourages people to take a short break from their daily routine to de-stress and increase productivity.

A compilation of Kai’s brilliance, along with the input of a few Binghamton University students, gives you this “Top 10 Ways to De-stress.”

1. Massage your ears

According to Kai, taking a small break to massage you ear lobes and temples will allow you to release endorphins that will relax your brain and make you feel good.

Next time you see someone sitting at desk in the library rubbing his or her temples, don’t assume it’s a migraine. They are just de-stressing before continuing their work.

2. Finger paint

Kai believes that finger painting will allow every adult to let out his or her “kid side.” Allowing creativity and spontaneity will apparently allow you to have fun in a child-like way. After all, college kids never have fun … right?

3. Throw ice or punch a pillow

Depending on where you are when you’re feeling stressed, and on your personality, throwing a few punches at a pillow might help. If a pillow just won’t cut it, go to the dining hall and grab a cup of ice, free of charge.

However, take caution where you aim — if you hit someone it could be a potential lawsuit, only tacking on more stress.

4. Yoga

Sydney Kaufman, a freshman human development major, loves yoga.

“I distress by doing yoga; it relaxes my brain before I start to work.”

Now, as the semester comes to a close, make your first trip to the gym and strive to do a “plank.”

5. Procrastinate

Every rule on studying advises against procrastination, but according to Kai, procrastination is essential to successfully ridding your body of stress.

Make a list of things to do, and then don’t do it, writes Kai. Giving yourself a sense of power, the idea that you control what you do, should be empowering.

Kai forgot to mention that as your deadline looms, that list you are avoiding will taunt you.

6. Be brutally honest

Don’t bottle up anything inside; say what you want to say. Kai assures you not to worry about what other people might say; just express your rude or obnoxious thoughts.

Lacking a social life because you are in the library all day is not enough; Kai wants you to lose all your friends by telling them what you really think of them, because ultimately it will de-stress you.

7. Watch a funny video

We all have the secret guilty pleasure of searching YouTube. Share your findings with a friend. Once you laugh at something more ridiculous then your current state of insanity, you will feel so much better.

8. Eat some junk food

Shireen Husain, a senior biological anthropology major, describes her ideal de-stress mechanism as vegging out.

“I watch ‘Desperate Housewives’ while eating Oreos and peanut butter,” Hussain said.

9. Enjoy natural sunlight

It can be depressing to sit in the library all day, your only source of light the bright computer screen in front of you. Don’t be afraid to take a small break, sit outside and enjoy the rare Binghamton sun.

10. Read fiction

√É¢’√®It is an unspoken rule that when a teacher assigns reading, you don’t do it. But why don’t you pick up that acclaimed best-seller and travel to fantasy land, far away from tests and papers.