1. Sit (or stand) up straight—your lungs need room to expand.

2. Slowly inhale through your nose, counting to five in your head.

3. Don’t raise your shoulders; let your tummy expand as you breathe in. (It’s OK, really.) Exhale through your mouth for a count of eight.

4. Repeat as needed.

Now didn’t that feel good?

Ah, summer vacation. Remember when you were a kid and the end of school meant you could leave all that hard work stuff behind and just relax, play, and enjoy yourself for weeks on end? Most of us don’t get that much of a break, but this is the time of year many people schedule getaways.

Don’t fret if you‘re not planning a big trip this year; there are still opportunities to travel, even if it’s just for a few hours. Act like a tourist in your own town—send off for brochures, go online to check for events (many are free), or drop in on that attraction just down the road that you’ve never visited. Or settle down with a cold glass of lemonade and a good book—you’ll be transported to another place with no travel required.

Whatever you do to get away, make sure your heart and mind are on vacation, too. What’s the point of taking time off if you’re constantly worrying about work or checking your email? God took a day off to rest and enjoy Himself (Genesis 2:1-3). He’s asked us do the same.