Life can get fast-paced and demanding, causing an overload of stress. You can easily feel trapped, or worse, a slave to time and demands. Employ your free choice and take a three-minute, refreshing vacation. You can afford three minutes. Your productivity will go up after you reenergize from this vacation.

Read these instructions, then look at the clock and choose the start and finish of your three minutes. Do not look at the clock after you start. Trust that you will take the perfect amount of time.

The Take-Off:
Vacation begins with imaginary travel to your destination. Sit with a straight back, comfortably supported by a soft lift in your abdomen. Allow your abdomen to expand and contract with three natural breaths as you focus on the space behind your eyes.

The Destination:
After these three breaths, land in a tropical garden, where large, lush, green leaves shade you from a radiant hot sun. See flowers in brilliant colors all around you. Hear colorful birds singing rhythmic melodies. Taste the sweet morning air on your tongue. Feel the sunshine’s warmth on your face. Remain here for six breaths.

The Oversized Drink:
Drink yourself full of this endless peace. Let it fill your head, ears, throat, chest, arms, torso, hips, legs, and feet. Then, wiggle your toes in the sand.

The Return:
Stretch your feet and move your ankles. Shake your legs. Take a little swivel with your hips. Stretch and round your back. Circle your shoulders and stretch out your arms and hands. You’re heading back toward home, refreshed.

The Landing:
Drop your head slightly, first on one side, then the other, like a tilting plane circling for landing. Pull your head forward and down, letting the wheels of your mind hit the tarmac. Then, lift your head to an upright posture and open your eyes. You are refreshed and ready to step into the next moment.

Scrapbook:

The Take Off: three breaths
The Destination: six breaths
The Oversized Drink: fill your body
The Return: move your body
The Landing: tilt and straighten your head