All of us are busy, but sometimes it becomes too much to handle. Your job is seriously stressing out, you have too many deadlines, you’ve taken on too many projects — whatever the case, you’re not sure if you’ll make it through this week. Kidding of course, but sometimes it feels that way.

Right now, it feels like you have a lot of factors working against you. If you can just overcome this or that, you’ll see the light at the end of the tunnel and some of that stress will go away. We’ve all been there and it’s not a pleasant place. Not to mention, when you’re in that place, it feels like there’s very little time to even have a moment to yourself.

If you can sneak away for just a few minutes, here are some quick ways to relieve some of that midweek stress. 

3 Quick Ways to Destress When the Week is Too Much

1. Meditation (Hear Me Out Here)

If you’re suffering from chronic stress, you know that it’s easier said than done when trying to rid yourself of it. That’s why I suggest focusing on another activity that requires practice. You’ve heard of meditation, but maybe it seems like it isn’t your style. However, I think everyone can benefit from a little bit of mind training and that’s what it is.

Meditation is all about training your mind to let go of stressful and unnecessary thoughts and focus on something else more positive. At first, it’s easiest to focus on your body. Focus on your breath and how your body is physically feeling. Then you can move on to more complex thoughts and ideas. There are plenty of guided meditations for beginners out there that can help you relax and find some peace right now.

Just find any comfortable spot! It doesn’t have to be on the floor on a yoga mat, and consciously try to focus on something other than your stress. 

2. Listen to a Podcast

One of my absolute favorite ways to unwind when I’m feeling very wound up is to listen to my favorite podcasts. Even if I can only squeeze in a few minutes or listen on my drive home, it really helps me to get out of my current state of mind and lose myself in another world. My current favorites are true crime podcasts, but there are so many genres out there for everyone.

It’s so important to let your mind not think about work 100 percent of the time, which I know is hard to do when you have a lot of work to do. However, it can be done and podcasts are a great way to escape.

If you don’t have a favorite podcast, search around and find one that sounds appealing and just lose yourself for a little while. Work will be there when you get back.

[RELATED: 6 Quick Tips To Handle Stress at a New Job]

3. Read a Good (Fiction) Book

Similar to a podcast, I feel that reading is an incredible way to relieve some stress. Your mind is transported to another world in a matter of seconds. The stress you were just feeling is gone for a few minutes while your worries are now solely placed on the characters in your book.

I highly suggest that you read a fiction book or at least a book that is not self-help. There’s nothing wrong with self-improvement, but right now your mind needs some release from the tension you’re feeling. I feel that fictional worlds tend to demand our full attention and really make our brains work to imagine the world that the author has created. Sometimes, when my stress is really high, I can’t even focus on the words I’m reading. In those cases, I opt for an audiobook instead. Either way, a book is simply fantastic for relieving stress, plus I am a believer that reading regularly improves your vocabulary.

I find that the things which help me de-stress the most are activities that I cannot ignore. I have a very hyperactive mind and when I’m feeling stressed, a moment of nothingness is a moment my mind will fill with anxious thoughts. So, in order to combat that I need to unwind with something that occupies my entire mind.

If I choose to listen to music or watch a movie, for example, my mind chooses to ignore it and will continue to think on all of the stresses of the day. Find something that requires your full attention and that you highly enjoy. I’m right there with you, mid-week stress isn’t a good time, but you’ll make it through and you’ll be so proud of yourself that you did!