Do something fun -- anything -- to relax

Remember when you were a kid and, when people asked you what you liked to do for fun, you could rattle off a list a mile long? Ahhh, what we wouldn't give to have the combined luxuries of lots of free time and no responsibilities.

Finding something new that you like to do can be an invigorating experience. Unearthing what exactly that new hobby is can prove to be a tricky endeavor, though, so we're going to walk you through it.

1. Getting suggestions

Ask your friends or family members what they would want to do. You may find that you have a shared interest that you could start learning together. Go to www.discoverahobby.com. You'll find a list of different ideas, from jewelry-making, to stand-up comedy, to poker. If anything, it will inspire you to see how limitless your choices are.

2. Indoor/outdoor

It's great to have a new hobby that gets you outdoors. Not only do you get some much-needed fresh air, you're most likely getting some good exercise as well. But try and be sure your hobby isn't so outdoorsy that it ends up sidelined for an extended period of time when the weather turns sour. For every hobby like hiking, try t start something like photography or scrapbooking. You'll have something fun to do no matter the forecast.

3. Set aside time

Set aside time for your hobby in advance so it doesn't fall to the wayside like so many of well-intended resolutions. Just because it may sound like something that can be overlooked, doesn't mean it should be.

The writers are co-founders of Buttoned Up, a company dedicated to helping stressed women get organized. Check their Web site, www.getbuttonedup.com, for more ideas.