Holiday hoopla can be exhilarating—until you’ve heard Jingle Bells and maneuvered through the mall madness one too many times. Just when you think you can’t go on another moment, take time out to regroup in some of the calmest spots in town.

1. Shhh...
The library is one place that can guarantee a silent night (or day). Flipping through magazines or escaping into a great read will make you feel as though all is calm and bright. Even just a half-hour there should do the trick.

2. Hands On
You’ve bent over backwards to find sales. You’ve hurdled crowds to grab that hot item. You’ve lugged heavy bags to your car. After competing in the holiday heptathlon, nothing is quite as relaxing as a full-body massage. Many malls have mini-spas you can pop into for a rejuvenating treatment.

3. Music to Your Ears
Escaping the holiday rush doesn’t have to mean escaping the holidays altogether Listening to your local orchestra or community choir perform traditional holiday pieces is a chance to enjoy the spirit of times past with friends and family.

4. Putting It in Perspective
Whether you’re viewing classic paintings or ancient artifacts, no place evokes a feeling of timelessness better than a museum. When everyone’s running around trying to squeeze everything in before the holidays arrive, it’s nice to be reminded that this is just one year out of thousands.

5. Feet First
Drop the to-do list, head to the nail salon and put up your aching feet. Besides glossy red toenails, you’re bound to get at least thirty minutes of free talk therapy. After telling your pedicurist about your holiday frustrations, you’ll be ready to put your best foot forward.

6. Movers and Shakers
Exercising prompts your brain to release endorphins, which improve your mood. Go for a walk, sign up for a step class or even go out dancing. You’ll cheer up in no time, and then you can head back to the exercise of shopping.

7. They Don’t Talk Back
When the holidays become a zoo, why not escape to the real deal? Animals look cute, do adorable things, and, best of all, don’t get stressed out about the holidays. Stroll by the penguins and polar bears; none of them will remind you that you still haven’t bought a gift for your mother-in-law—except maybe the parrots.

8. Everyone Gets an “A”
Enrolling in an evening class—whether it’s in cooking, pottery, painting or origami.—serves a two-fold purpose: For one you’ll gain brainpower at a time when most people feel like they’re losing their minds, and second, you can create heartfelt gifts for your friends and family.

9. Taking a Hike
Whether she’s covering you with snow or kissing you with sun, Mother Nature can be extremely soothing. Woods are peaceful, birds are cheerful, and even bugs can be fun when they’re their own turf rather than yours. Escaping from the real world to stroll through the “realer” one will be a super stress reducer.

10. Seeing Stars
It’s dark. It’s cool. It’s otherworldly. A planetarium gives you a chance to recline in a comfy chair while planets swirl above you and a deep voice reveals the secrets of the universe.