Okay, we know your clients don't disappear after tax time, and time does not stand still once April 15 has been crossed off the calendar. But how about taking a few moments to evaluate your work load, sort your priorities and RELAX? Now is as good a time as any. Here are some simple ideas to get you started.

 

Clean your office. Ah, this is probably the very last thing you want to do! But cleaning your office, which involves throwing out the old and organizing the new, can be a rejuvenating process. And there is no doubt that a clean, organized space will allow you more time to do what you like to do -- as you are spending less time shifting through piles of paper looking for the correct file.

 

Take a walk. Statistics indicate that even a brief 15-minute walk during a lunch hour is better than nothing at all. Use your lunch hour to refresh your thoughts so you can return to your office ready to tackle the afternoon tasks.

 

Get outdoors. Learn how to rock climb, go horseback riding, take up golf, go camping. These stress-reducers are "two-in-one" -- you can enjoy the outdoors while getting a good physical workout.

 

Exercise the brain. Sure, you've done plenty of "brain exercises" through the tax season. Now try exercising the brain with something new. Do a crossword puzzle, start a journal, learn how to speak another language.

 

Get educated. Perhaps you usually wait until December 26 to squeeze in the last few CPE credits you need. This year, get it done early and save yourself a lot of stress down the road.

 

Yoga. There are many forms of yoga. Check out your options and go to class during your lunch break or after work once a week. Schedule it like you would a doctor appointment. Can't find a class nearby? Purchase a book on "office yoga" -- simple stretches that can be done in front of your computer -- and take a few minutes to breathe and stretch every hour.

 

Try a new restaurant. You've been saying for three years you want to check out the Chinese restaurant. So what are you waiting for?

 

Get a massage. Hire someone to give you a 20-minute neck and back massage at your desk every Wednesday (or Monday or Friday, whatever day you feel most stressed each week). Or splurge on a full body massage once a month. You've earned it.

 

Load up Tuesdays. Studies show that Tuesday is the most productive day of the work week. Use this to your advantage. Make Tuesdays your power work day!

 

Tour the city. Many of us don't enjoy the richness of our hometowns. Make a list of all the local sites you want to visit within a year. This can include anything from the Farmers Market to the antique shop to the historical park.

 

Focus on one of those New Year's resolutions. You said you want to lose 10 pounds. Have you? Focus on one of your large goal's and tackle it head-on.

 

Vacation. Vacations give you time away from work to enjoy your family, travel to places you've never before seen, and to indulge in a favorite hobby. Don't skimp on the vacations! If a large two-week vacation every year is out of the question, consider three-day vacations throughout the year. Many people feel multiple vacations are better than one long one. In fact, big vacations are commonly referred to as "stressful." Just remember what a vacation is supposed to be about.

 

Volunteer.  Helping those in need, whether it be the local library or a homeless shelter, is an excellent way to give back to your community.

 

Enjoy those people that are important to you. Note that many of the above activities can be enjoyed with friends and family. But they still deserve a category of their own. Spend time with those you care about, those that support your dreams, those that hold you up during the bad times. Remember: "the only way to have a friend is to be one."

 

Understand burnout. Many people just don't realize when they have reached the point of "burnout." According to Jack Fox in Accountants Can Learn to Overcome Burnout and Stress, avoiding burnout takes preparation and forethought. Here are seven tips for accountants on how to avoid burnout.