Summer used to signal a time for a well-deserved reprieve from life's rigors. Par for the season: lazy afternoons at the beach, abbreviated workdays, and long breaks away from the daily grind. This year though you might be working extra hours and staying closer to home to save some cash. But there are still plenty ways to relax and rejuvenate.

The key is to learn how to "disengage" from daily stress. When you're taking fewer days off, it's especially important to find ways to unwind during the downtime you do have.

Squashing stress isn't just good for your sanity—it's good for your physical health. Stress has been linked to every major illness, including heart disease, cancer, and depression. Going nonstop day in and day out takes a toll on the entire body, learning to apply a vacation mentality to your daily life can put you back on your game. These tips will help you reach a state of blissful detachment; no matter where you are or how many days off you can swing.

1.Unplug Yourself from the Office

Experts say we've become so obsessed with always being on that we've lost the ability to turn ourselves off. And that can pile on stress.

More than a third of the participants in a recent study, published in the journal Heart, felt frazzled by a sense of obligation to respond immediately to their constant barrage of e-mails. Women also feel more pressure to hit REPLY. But just because you own a PDA doesn't mean it has to be on all the time, Each night, block 30 minutes for e-mail. When the time's up, turn off the device and put it out of sight.

Just don't schedule your catch-up session right before bed. Hitting the sack with work on your brain makes it tough to transition into sleep mode, so put the kibosh on all business-related correspondence at least an hour before turning in.

2.Create a Chill-Out Routine

In the same way a pre-bedtime ritual puts you in the mood for sleep, a pre-downtime routine helps you get in the mood for relaxation.

As soon as you arrive home, shed whatever reminds you of work: stash your bag out of sight and kick off your heels. Changing your outfit can change your mindset instantly.

Next, do something that offers a change of pace, if you're a desk drone, head outside for a run or a swim; if you're on your feet all day, ease into a warm bath. Soon you'll feel yourself mentally drifting away from what stresses you out.

3.Take It Outside

Mother Nature may be the ultimate antidepressant. Exposure to natural light can increase levels of the mood-lifting chemical serotonin.

Research also shows that spending time outdoors is hugely important in preventing depression.The expansive space, colors, and fresh air can all help your brain disengage,

Trading your gym routine for outdoor exercise or eating lunch .Try to notice every detail using all your senses—the shapes in the clouds, the taste of your lemonade, the warm breeze on your back.

4.Find a Balance Between Rest and Activity

When the weekend finally arrives, sometimes you're so determined to have fun that you try to cram in 147 things before Monday.

But a jam-packed weekend can actually leave you more exhausted and stressed. Even enjoyable activities can wear you out if you shoehorn too many into one weekend.

I recommends carving out a half-hour each day just to chill. Try using the time to read, listen to music, or sip a cup of tea.

Don't flip on the tube unless there's a show you really want to see.Even though watching TV seems like a great way to zone out, mindless surfing actually stimulates your nervous system and thwarts your ability to relax.

5.Plan Long Weekends

If you can't afford a full week away from work, put in for a few Mondays or Fridays instead. Experts say that taking mini-vacations can sufficiently recharge your batteries. (And since you'll be missing only one day of work, you won't have overflowing voice mail or e-mail to contend with when you return.)

When we examined how vacation length affects stress levels, we found that taking several short breaks may be more beneficial than taking one long one.

To get the most out of an extended weekend, you still have to seek out a slight change of scenery. Physical separation can lead to mental separation from stressed. Check into a nearby B&B for a night, go on an all-day hike, or even just visit a new restaurant across town.

6.Become an Escape Artist

To sufficiently drag your brain out of the work gutter, you need to reset it. The best way to do that is through what psychologists call escapism. That means getting out of the house and experiencing something that transports the mind—think movies, concerts, art exhibitions, comedy shows, sporting events.

An activity like watching a movie is the metaphorical equivalent of going to Hawaii. It lets you mentally check out and remove yourself from the problems in your everyday life.

If thoughts of the office intrude while you're enjoying a baseball game or a summer blockbuster, just briefly acknowledge them and then refocus.Redirect your attention toward the sound of the crowd, the taste of your hot dog, or the way Ryan Reynolds's eyes twinkle when he smiles.