Sometimes it is all just a little too much. Stress at work, family problems, body image issues, economic woes, and you mother constantly asking when you will finally settle down and give her some grandchildren all add up to life being just a little too serious sometimes. All you want to do is take a vacation, just get away from it all - but wait, you used all your vacation days already on that cruise with your girlfriends where you met Hector the dance instructor and - well, yea. You know what I mean.

So what can you do to relax, recharge, and keep from flipping out on the next person who has the misfortune of calling your Blackberry? I give you the daily art of indulgence. This zen art has many other names you might be familiar with: pampering, treating, splurging, or my favorite: "me" time. Indulgence time can take the shape of almost anything you enjoy: riding a bicycle, reading a novel, cooking dinner, playing with your kids, taking a bath, or just turning off the cell phone for 15 minutes on your lunch break. It is a time for shutting down, taking stock, and preparing for the next wave of life-challenges. Too many of us have a hard time carving out a bit of "me" time in this hectic, whirlwind lifestyle we call the 21^st century.

Indulgence is also recommended for maintaining and encouraging a positive self image. By taking time for yourself you are saying, "I am worth this indulgence, I deserve this time for myself." It is so easy to be focused on everything and everyone outside of yourself and forget that there is a wonderful, worthwhile, and worthy person inside your own skin. You have a right to spend time on yourself and your interests, and practicing the art of indulgence make this possible.

Taking a few minutes a day to do something purely for your enjoyment can mean the difference between keeping up and burning out. Here is a sample week based on my favorite indulgences. Remember, these are just suggestions and thought-provokers, the art of indulgence encompasses any activity (or lack of one) that leaves you feeling ready to face the world again.

Monday: I like to start my week with a leisurely walk around the city on my lunch break. It means that when I come back I need to work and eat at the same time, but getting out into the fresh air takes me away from the Monday morning issues at work and gets a little blood circulating after sitting for hours. So refreshing!

Tuesday: Tuesday I like to call my family. I talk to them throughout the week in small doses, but I always carve out extra time Tuesday nights to have a nice long chat with my mom. Everyone is so busy we don't get to chat as much as I would like. My whole family is very close, and it is a very recharging indulgence to talk to them and recenter myself.

Wednesday: When I get home from work on Wednesday evening I like to sit down on my couch, turn on some relaxing music, and enjoy a nice glass of red wine with some cheese and crackers. I know, it sounds a little silly and formal, but that fancy treat is a great way for me to splurge a little on myself and help me visualize the day when I can eat four course meals every night! My favorite combination is Black Swan Shiraz with Laughing Cow Garlic and Herb light cheese on top of Wheat Thins - yum, yum, yum!

Thursday: My boyfriend and I have date night - at home in our sweats. This stay-at-home time is so needed after a week of being busy and working on conflicting schedules. Watching a silly movie and making dinner together is the perfect indulgence because it is a time to laugh and catch up with no pressure, no waiters, and no need to put on makeup.

Friday: My favorite Friday night indulgence is going out to dinner with my best friend. She is also a writer so we get to spend some time talking life, talking relationships, and talking work. She is an amazing person who always makes me feel so positive about myself, my choices, and life.

Saturday: I love to head to the gym around 10am and take my time there - run on the treadmill, stretch well, use the free weights, and hit the sauna. It is so lovely to have nothing else to do but work out at the pace I choose and not have to cut anything out of the workout because of time constraints. It makes me feel like a celebrity - this is how Fergie must work out every morning! (hence the awesome bod)

Sunday: On Sundays I like to stay in bed as late as I possibly can, guilt free. Sunday mornings are meant for me to lie in bed, relax, listen to the birds chirp outside my window and appreciate the sun streaming in through the curtains.

So please, men and women of hubpages and beyond, don't forget to take care of yourself. The simple art of indulgence will work wonders in rebalancing, or at least providing small vacations, in your busy lives. It is important to be out in the world functioning and taking care of the million things on your to-do list, but remember: if you burn out than none of it will be done. So indulge, recharge, and kick ass. This, friends, is the art of indulgence.