In this hectic world we live in, it is easy to feel stressed out and anything but a Zen vessel for enlightenment. To combat this, we sign ourselves up for a yoga class that stresses us out even more by making us feel entirely inadequate because we can’t throw our leg around our neck like a scarf. And, as we all know, stress and anxiety can lead to major health problems, which can in turn lead to high medical bills, and we all know the social security system’s bankrupt so we’ll probably end up dying alone in an alley somewhere terrible.

Stressed out yet?

But the cure for stress and anxiety doesn’t have to be as complicated as we sometimes make it. In fact, we’ve compiled a list of 13 easy relaxation techniques that are guaranteed to calm you down even though you’re not quite as limber as a tree frog.

1. Talk to someone

We don’t mean just anyone, but talking to a trusted friend, (or even a trusted professional) someone who will listen to you unload without making you feel judged or obtrusive.

2. Eat a hearty and healthy breakfast

When you skip breakfast your metabolism slows, which can kill your energy level, give you headaches, and set the tone for a moody and irritable day.

3. Laugh

Even in your worst mood, a good movie, book or your funniest friend can get you laughing and decreasing stress hormones in the bloodstream.

4. Cry

We know this might seem like it would counteract the benefits of laughing, but research says that a good cry may have evolved to remove chemicals, most likely stress hormones like prolactin and ACTH, that build up during times of stress.

5. Make fun a priority

Whether you have to write it down in your phone, your daytimer or your to-do list, make sure you pencil in some time to enjoy yourself. Every day.

6. Spend a little on yourself

It might be a lipstick that will make you feel pretty, or a tool that will make you feel manly, by spending a small amount of money on yourself during times of stress you can get some instant gratification and validation for your worth.

7. Eat more fiber

Fiber keeps your digestive tract from stressing, and if your digestive tract isn’t stressing that gives your body one less thing to worry about. Fiber also helps absorb toxins and bacteria, and it stabilizes blood sugar levels, meaning that you won’t be as susceptible to mood swings.

8. Find local roads

It doesn’t take a scientist to tell you that driving through traffic can stress you out. Even when we’re not in a hurry to get somewhere we get anxious if the cars ahead of us aren’t going anywhere. By taking more relaxed roads, even if they’re a little out of the way, and giving ourselves more time to get from A to B, we can cut out a lot of unnecessary stress.

9. Write it all down

A lot of times our stress really isn’t from things that need to be remedied, but things that just need to be expressed. Also, by writing down what causes your stress and how you react to it, you can find trends in what triggers your stress and response and avoid these situations in the future.

10. Soak in some lavender

This herb’s natural aroma reacts with chemicals in your bran that help you feel calmer and—get this—even sleep better!

11. Have a little faith

Following George Michael’s advice really pays off. If you get stuck thinking that nothing will ever get better then guess what? It won’t. Focusing on success then motivates you for more success.

12. Eat your oatmeal

Although it might sound a little juvenile, oatmeal has been shown to release serotonin stores in your brain, which has been shown to stave off depression.

13. Dump toxic people

Life’s too short to hang around people that do nothing but bring you down. Even if you can’t leave them entirely, they might be related to you, make an effort to limit your exposure or make sure there are other people there with you who help you handle this person.