For Cal State Northridge students, balancing classes, work, internships, extracurriculars and personal relationships can be overwhelming. But it’s especially difficult for linguistics major, Mao Otahima, 23, whose family and support are on another continent.

While students may find it easier to take naps, eat healthy and occasionally exercise, Otahima, an international student from Yokohama, Japan, takes it one step further by taking advantage of resources available on campus.

She said this semester is especially difficult for her because she is taking upper division classes for her major, tutoring part time and supporting herself through college.

University Counseling Services on the fifth floor of Bayramian Hall offers free, by appointment, one-on-one counseling services to CSUN students.

“They have many counselors that can help me with many issues,” Otahima said.

Another resource is the Klotz Living Well Lounge located next to the Northridge Center in the USU. The lounge is operated by students, for students.

“The Living Well Lounge is a place for students to gather health information from peer educators,” said Sharon Aronoff, Health Educator and Student Health Outreach at the Klotz Student Health Center.

According to Aronoff, it’s a place where students can go to relax, watch movies, enjoy a massage chair and get health information including links to outside resources.

Another campus stress manager Otahima uses is the Klotz Student Health Center located next to Chaparral Hall.

“To de-stress I go to Klotz to [get] massaged and to relax,” Otahima said.

The center provides many low-cost services, including acupuncture and massage. So students can feel energized without emptying out their pockets.