Amid all the arrangements, obligations, and pressures for perfection this holiday season, do you ever find yourself fantasizing about a blissful escape from responsibility? Wouldn’t it be nice to skip the shopping and treat yourself to a massage instead? Go ahead, be naughty – we won’t tell!

If you’re someone who’s been good to yourself and others all year, then why not indulge in a little fun before your usual composed self takes over again in the New Year? Primary food doesn’t only include positive relationships, spiritual practice, and a fulfilling career; it also means letting go of the constraints of life and being free to make decisions that enliven your spirit.

Here are a few ways to break your usual hectic holiday rhythms:

Buy yourself a present. Trying to resist the temptation to get a little something for yourself while you’re out and about shopping for loved ones? Don’t! You totally deserve it.

Skip the fitness routine.  Would it mean the end of your beautiful figure to ditch the gym once in a while and pamper yourself with a hot bath and a good book instead? Absolutely not! Relaxation is just as important for your health as fitness, and besides, even small amounts of exercise provide immense health benefits. Just take a walk around the block later and call it a day.

Say no to something. If you’re prone to putting the needs of others ahead of your own, then it might be time to exercise a little self-assertion and just say no to something that you don’t really want to do. No one will judge you; they’ll understand.

Do something unexpected. Honored traditions, family values, and conventional ways of doing things certainly have their place in the world, but why not shake things up a bit? Set up a juice bar for your guests instead of serving alcohol, create a totally different menu than you normally serve, or pull a gentle prank on your family. The possibilities are endless for how you can surprise your loved ones this year.

Get away from it all. If another year of listening to Great Aunt Hilda’s story about the time the airline lost her luggage has you dreading the usual holiday fare, it’s not too late to skip the drama and unwind by taking a trip somewhere exotic. Maybe you’ll have an adventure of your own to share around the holiday meal next year!

How are you going to let loose this holiday season?