In the middle of January, what do we have to look forward to besides this bleak weather? Halloween is over, Thanksgiving is over, Christmas is over, the New Year has come and we have nothing to do. This is why you need a ukulele.

Hear me out. When you think of a ukulele, what do you think of? A Hawaiian breeze blowing through palm trees? An adorable, mini guitar? A cheerful man singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”? I think of the soothing, lively music of the happiest instrument in the world.

With a ukulele, you can play your sorrows away because you can’t be sad listening to a ukulele. Its music is a stress reliever just based on that fact. As I was going through a list of songs popular for a ukulele, I found that all of them have the quick beat and sing-song melody that boosts my mood. Those who hear you playing your ukulele will be more cheerful as well. And let’s be real: they look adorable.

In these dull months between Christmas and Spring Break, everyone needs a little pick-me-up. Even if you don’t want a ukulele, there are plenty of other ways to relax. Here are some other ways to get your mind off the stress of school and weather.

Discover the thing that calms you down.

• I bought a fish because it is so relaxing to watch it swimming around and around its bowl.
• Lava lamps have a similar effect as the blobs float up and down in the neon lights.
• The new “satisfying” videos on YouTube are great at calming your mind as you complacently view people write in calligraphy or swirl together colors of paint.

Establish go-to things for enjoyment.

• Books guide you to another world to escape whatever is stressing you in this one. Personally, I would suggest reading a series, like The Hunger Games or The Selection, to avoid our world a little longer.
• For the tactile people out there, learn yoga to balance your heart rate and focus on your mind, body, and spirit.
• To validate my chocolate obsession, about 1.4 ounces of dark chocolate calms your nerves by regulating levels of the stress hormone cortisol and stabilizing metabolism.
• Writing a journal expresses your feelings in the open and confirms your thoughts. The journal doesn’t need to be conventional; write them in your phone notes.

Establish a stress-free environment anywhere.

• The smell of citrus relaxes stress-related hormones. Placing an air freshener somewhere or using citrus scented lotions can calm your nerves.
• Don’t forget to set time aside to just breathe. The simple motion of and concentration on breathing focuses your thoughts and puts everything else in the back of your mind.
• If you are struggling to concentrate, put hot or cold water on your wrists. This brings you to focus by stimulating the major arteries under your skin.

This time of the year is perfect for starting new habits. Be sure to set yourself up for success in the new semester by creating an environment for yourself to thrive in.