The holidays—whether you love them or hate them, now’s the time to celebrate you survived them! What better way to do that and to start off your new year than by taking a break to revive and restore.  Here are some ideas for how and where to do that in and around Lake Oswego. From a massage to a quiet respite, consider this your holiday recuperation plan.

SPA TREATMENT. Take some time out with a massage or facial that can put you in the ahh zone instead of the aargh one. Here are a few places to check out:

●rumi simone. How’s a candlelit Ritual Bath filled with stress relieving salts sound followed by an aromatherapy massage? Deciding what spa service to select will be challenging but once you cross that hurdle, all you have to do is unwind. 345 First Street, 503.699.8899.

●Skin Sense Spa. Choose from a long list of facials or after a long season of shopping and hitting the mall, you might want to opt for some Peppermint Foot Therapy—a 30 minute treatment that includes an invigorating scrub, soothing oil and foot massage.  15450 Boones Ferry Road, Suite 7. 503.307.3833.

●Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa. It’s a smorgasbord of options here including a massage with heated Himalayan salt stones that add a healing element to all that relaxation. If your partner has been working as hard as you, there’s a couples massage as well. 4328 Meadows Road, Suite 123. 503.308.1516.

LABYRINTH. Dating back to ancient times, a labyrinth has been called everything from a healing tool to a “watering hole for the spirit.” If you’re suffering from decision overload, a labyrinth is a perfect place to give your mind a rest. It’s a pattern of pathways that weave in a circle around a center point with only one way in and one way out. So all you have to decide is to start and the path will guide you. You can find some local ones like at Marylhurst Heights Park, 1800 Valley View Drive in West Linn or by checking out this website.

NATURE WALK. From lowering your blood pressure to improving cognitive function to reducing stress, a walk in the woods is a highly touted do-it-yourself escape route from a stressful day. Luckily for you, you don’t have to go far to get away from the maddening  crowds. Head out to one of these nearby parks.

●Tryon Creek Park. Eight miles of hiking trails and three miles of a paved bike trail help you meander through the 658 acres of second-growth forest right next door to Lake Oswego. Check the map for local access points. 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd., 503.636.9886.

●Elk Rock Garden. Also known as Bishop’s Close, this close getaway is a tranquil spot with a view. A map with suggested garden walks is available in the Visitor Center. 11800 SW Military Lane, Portland. 503.636.5613.

●Lake Oswego Trails. Download one of the city’s maps detailing the growing system of trails and pathways that cut through our town and preserve nature’s beauty. Popular ones include the Iron Mountain Trail that runs behind Hunt Club and Cook’s Butte with one access point at the end of Atherton Drive.

MEDITATION. What better way to take a timeout than to tune in and tap into your awareness of your breath, your sensations and your space. Learn to observe your thoughts without being taken hostage by them. Could come in very handy when your New Year’s resolutions start screaming at you.

●Free classes through Gale Courses and your Lake Oswego library card. Learn different meditation techniques through online courses. Just click on the Gale Courses tab on the library website and register.

●Pause Meditation Studio. If you do better learning in person, then check out a drop-in class at Pause Meditation in Portland. There are a variety of offerings including Introduction to Meditation on Saturday mornings from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and Beginner’s Mind on Tuesday evenings from 7:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Drop-in fee is $12. Reserve a cushion online. 213 SW Ash Street, #209. 503.343.4831.

The holidays aren’t the only thing that can stress us out. Buying or selling a home can do the same thing. Let me make the experience stress-free for you by putting my 30+ years experience to work. Check out my website and/or give me a call at 503.939.9801.