As a busy, stressful year comes to an end, relax and revive your spirit in some nice - and naughty - ways. By Prudence Goredema.

"Live each day as if it were your last - one day you're bound to be right." - Anonymous

Whoever wrote that maxim certainly understood the Latin saying: "Carpe diem" ("seize the day"). They also understood the need to make the most of health and happiness by seeking appropriate relief from stress and strain.

After a long day - nay, year - of toil and trouble, any boardroom baroness needs to recharge. The rich and famous hire New Age lifestyle coaches - Deepak Chopra devotees - who teach and preach about alternative ways to achieve equilibrium. I'm not knocking them, but citizens of the real world don't always have access to the latest news on how to Feng Shui the entrance hall/broom cupboard/patio to invoke peace, love and eternal happiness.

Nor can everyone attest to the efficacy of crystals, aromatherapy and self-contemplation. Nevertheless, there are some practical ways to fend off the "fed-up" factor without espousing the esoteric.

Identify the demon
Avoid the stress triggers and precursors to your problems: the incessantly ringing phone, the advert-spewing TV and the half-finished work project that can wait until the morning. An after-hours caffeine fix is fine when you're working late, but will make you jittery when what you need is some R&R. You need to be whole and happy to be the super-mom you desire, so cart the kids off to gogo's to create quality time for you, the temporary centre of the universe. When you work hard for your money and even harder for some time to play, you often don't notice yourself becoming bogged down with emotional overload – with loose strings a-plenty and uncertainty about how to unwind. To revert to tip-top condition, you need to clear the decks regularly and start with a clean slate.

Holistically speaking – a yen for yoga
Although yoga is derived from Hinduism, it isn't a religion. Its two chief aspects are asanas (the physical postures)and pranayama (controlled breathing). The stretching exercises are said to massage the internal organs, circulatory and respiratory systems and by synchronising the two, flexibility is achieved all over the body. Yoga is particularly good for the spine and back, which are often the first to take the heat when one is feeling tense.

Belly up
The ancient Middle Eastern art of belly-dancing is a highly effective way for women to express their sensuality, while strengthening the abdominal muscles in preparation for childbirth. The Jewels of the Nile is a South African studio offering courses in the art of graceful,seductive belly-dancing. And don't be daunted by the thought: anyone can learn to belly-dance – it's not about age or size, although if you take your dancing seriously, you eventually become fitter, firmer and feel fantastic. It's ideal for those who despise those heavy physical work-outs that leave a slothful sister's lungs burning.
Get the rhythm:

Exercise
Exercising releases endorphins, the body's natural pain-killers, which decrease anxiety and uplift your mood. If you have a sedentary job, some quality time with a punching bag may be the best way to release tension. If you've never been the type to derive pleasure from pulse work, find an equally flabby friend and place big bucks on who can actually try out gym membership for a full fortnight. Once you get into a routine, you may be persuaded to continue because the effects are multiple: physical improvements, as well as mental vitality. In her book, A Guide to Stress Relief (Paragon), Sara Rose says regular exercise tires you and therefore helps you sleep better – although you should avoid excessively strenuous exercise shortly before bedtime.

However, fitness isn't only about lifting weights and surviving the circuit. You can go the DIY route by buying a Tae-Bo tape and joining in this favourable fitness fad, which was revolutionised by seven-time world karate champion Billy Banks. Tae-Bo is a cross between the martial arts, dance steps, traditional aerobics and boxing. The rigorous steps to the pop-cum -techno music beat will increase cardiovascular activity. Ultimately, this is a good way of improving agility, co-ordination, strength and stamina, while giving you a chance to burn off calories and cares.
Get moving:

Wellness
In well-to-do circles, the beauty parlour is fast being usurped by the wellness centre, where you can get the full Monty: body wraps, seaweed baths, reflexology, aromatherapy massages and lymphatic drainage, as well as the good, old- fashioned facial. Most treatments require repeat visits before you start to see the cellulite slither away, but the pleasure is really in the process. La Stone therapy, for example, is about alternately applying heated and frozen stones on the body in order to induce relaxation and deep-tissue cleansing.

Disappear into the Magaliesberg to Mount Grace Spa, which offers hydrotherapy, exfoliation, reflexology and a full range of other therapies. Another hide-out for a holistic revival is Clifford Estate Health & Wellness Centre in Harrismith, which offers "detox, country-style".
Get well away from it all:

The great outdoors
Living in a brick-and-mortar city may derive you of the pleasures of tranquil Mother Nature on your doorstep, but there are always a few nooks and crannies you can slither away to. Johannesburg Zoo in Parkview offers a little piece of the wild (once you get over the clipped bird wings and caged animals). An average picnic won't take much out of you:last night's leftovers and a couple of biscuits will suffice if you're dying to leave the heat of the kitchen behind.

Gone fishing
Leave the laundry behind and pick up your rod! Good news for fishing novices: you spend lots of time just sitting, waiting and enjoying leisure time al fresco. Peter Arderne, a representative of Fly Fishing SA, says the easiest route into fishing is to get information from a specialist fly fishing store and attend one of the clinics his organisation holds for beginners. Fishing is a cheap and often rewarding hobby. In fly fishing, the objective is to catch a trout (as well as other species, like barbel) and then – a few snapshots later – return the poor thing to the water.
Get hooked:

Be a good sport

Top tried-and-trusted tips for a feel-good fix: