Let’s face it: even though summer is arguably the most fun season, it can be just as stressful as any other time of year. The pressure to plan adventures and trips is high, plus most of us still have to go to work every day, or maybe even have kids home from school who need entertainment. It’s also wedding season, which brings travel and expenses and demands from family or friends.

This much fun and excitement and sunshine can be draining, so don’t forget to take a breather when you need it! Luckily, there are a bunch of books that can help with this very thing. Here’s a few highlights that celebrate relaxation or give advice on how to let some stuff go:

The Joy of Doing Just Enough by Jennifer McCartney
$14, hardcover

McCartney’s slim little book breaks down the ways to live well by not over-promising. The chapters illuminate how to do “just enough” in your home, relationships, work, social life, culture, and health & beauty. Includes lots of personality quizzes and fun ideas to try.

The Art of the Wasted Day by Patricia Hampl
$25, hardcover

Minnesota favorite Hampl returns with this brilliant, inspiring meditation on the lost art of leisure, daydreaming, and solitude. Weaving personal experience with history, literature, and science, Hampl reminds us that there is pure value in downtime and invites us to reclaim it.

Mindfulness on the Go by Jan Chozen Bays, MD
$12, paperback

A tiny paperback that will fit in a pocket or purse, with 25 quick Zen exercises to slow you down and re-focus your mind. Also includes expanded reflections on the exercises for when you have more time. A handy little book!

Alone Time by Stephanie Rosenbloom
$25, hardcover

A travelogue of Rosenbloom’s solo trips to four different cities, the lessons of this book can also be applied at home. Rosenbloom finds that the time she spent alone abroad–eating, looking, and trying new things–translate into a way of living every day that can enrich our lives. Relishing the world without the burden of company, we can rediscover the value and benefits of solitude.

Take it easy out there!
–Annie