5 Quick and Easy Activities to Help You Relax This Holiday Season

When it comes to getting some much needed down time, Breakthrough at Caron's Ann Smith is a great believer in keeping it simple:

1. Take a leisurely walk.  Whether you're with your family or by yourself, nature and fresh air can restore your energy and do wonders for your feeling of well-being.  It's really great after a big meal!
2. Make your home smell great.  Scents play a powerful role in how we feel.  Lighting your favorite candle or having fresh greens around can reinvigorate your and remind you of happy times.
3. Read in front of a fire.  Give yourself a day in your favorite chair.  It's the way people used to unwind before television, the Internet and mobile devices seemed to take over.  But allowing yourself to log off and read can be just the healhty escape your body is craving.
4. Take a soothing bubble bath.  An easy way to pamper yourself is to delight in a decadent bubble bath.  The warmth will embrace you and allow you to feel like you are a million miles away from your "to do" list.
5. Download a guided meditation on your MP3 device.  For very little money you can download a wonderful guided meditation that can help you stay calm and present during a challenging day.  Many of these only take a few minutes - but they will remind you to breathe and reboot.

From Ann W. Smith, LMFT, Executive Director of Breakthrough at Caron