By Veronica Espinoza 

Board & Brush Creative Studio

A creative space to let your inner artist become a DIY master by designing and painting your own personalized wood project or sign, all while sipping on a glass of wine. It’s a great way to relax and get your mind off that to-do list or pushy boss, all while having fun with friends or family. Besides working on wood projects, you can attend other workshops focused on materials like: glass, chalkboard, canvas pillows, slate and terra cotta pots. 147 N. Northwest Highway in Park Ridge. BoardAndBrush.com

Tealula

Tealula

The premiere tea boutique in the area since 2008, offers a variety of 150 teas from all over the world. Drinking tea is a way to relax and reap the benefits of nourishing your mind and body, as well as relieving stress. While browsing your tea options in the store, you can try a sample at the tasting bar. 11 S. Fairview Avenue in Park Ridge. TeaLula.com

Pilates with the Park Ridge Park District

The Park Ridge Park District offers Pilates and yoga classes to suit anyone who wants to try a different way of exercising. Pilates (inspired by ballet and yoga) is great for relaxing and overall fitness, as it works muscles, lowers blood pressure and enhances body awareness. And exercise reduces stress hormones and stimulates moods. The Park District’s has classes available for Pilates, hatha yoga and vinyasa yoga. 733 N. Prospect Avenue in Park Ridge. PRParks.org

Sun and Moon Yoga

Sun and Moon Yoga

An intimate yoga studio dedicated to helping you relieve stress through physical forms like positions and flows. Yoga is a great way to relax by creating a peace of mind, decreasing anxiety and boosting your overall well-being. There are daily classes available for all levels of yoga at the Sun and Moon. 2026 Oakton in Park Ridge. SunAndMoonPR.com

WineStyles

This wine store chain location in the Norwood Park neighborhood brings the community together to enjoy different types of wines, chocolates, cheese, beer and gourmet food through their tasting stations and events. Relax and have a little fun at their regular trivia nights, happy hours, wine classes, tasting sessions and more. 6182 N. Northwest Highway in Chicago. Winestyles.com/NorwoodPark/

Renata’s Organic Skincare & Spa

This spa provides the comfort of self-care through their organic facials, massages and body-care services. Giving yourself a break to relax and enjoy a massage, facial or a self-care treatment for the hands and feet can calm nerves, remove toxins, sooth sore muscles and make you feel closer to nature, knowing that all the products and materials used are organic. And did we mention the pure therapeutic essential oils and candles? 624 Devon Avenue in Park Ridge. RenatasOrganics.com

Vive! Therapeutic Massage

Vive! Therapeutic Massage

Specializing in therapeutic massages that can be customized to your own needs, this serves as another way one can relieve stress and pain and help improve blood flow. Their licensed and certified therapists create a warm, comforting environment — and don’t forget to add an infrared sauna session as well. 827 W. Touhy Avenue in Park Ridge. ViveMassage.com

Twisted Tree Yoga

Yoga can be great for relaxing because physical movements, poses, breathing exercises and meditation improve concentration, helping you stay in the present moment. Twisted Tree Yoga has classes for all ages — even little ones — and offers specific options for stress relief, meditation and more. 681 Graceland Avenue in Des Plaines. TwistedTreeYoga.com

Luvu Spa & Brow Design

A great spot to get facials and massages to revitalize your body, mind and well-being. Facials are great for relaxing the mind and rejuvenating the skin by unclogging pores and putting nutrients back into the skin. Luvu Spa offers other services such as beauty and self-care treatments that can be personalized too. 303 N. Northwest Highway in Park Ridge. LuvuDaySpa.com

Bottle and Bottega

Bottle and Bottega

For those looking to break away from the norm when it comes to a night out, at Bottle and Bottega, you can express your creativity during a fun, relaxed evening of painting (and wine). Get tips from professional artists while crafting your masterpiece and catching up with friends over a little pinot. 424 Touhy Avenue in Park Ridge. BottleAndBottega.com

Book clubs

Reading provides relaxation by lowering your heart rate and reducing muscle tension — as well as improved focus on something other than your phone. At the Park Ridge Library, they have selected monthly book clubs featuring specific books. Registration is required (847-720-3280 or ParkRidgeLibrary.org). You can even create your own club! 20 S. Prospect Avenue in Park Ridge.

The Des Plaines Library also offers book clubs Tuesday mornings and Thursday evenings, as well as a quarterly club called Books2Film. 1501 Ellinwood Avenue in Des Plaines. DPPL.org