Research clearly proves that relaxation must be on the top of everyone’s list of priorities. Relaxation reduces wear and tear on the mind and the body reducing blood pressure and heart rate while increasing blood flow to the major muscle. It also reduces back pain, headache and muscle tension while improving concentration. The likelihood of emotional responses such as anger and frustration, but of which are damaging to the body, are also reduced. We're all about that! Here are three women who are making chill time a priority.

Naomi Gasson is a busy mom and owns Georgia Roof Advisors in Marietta. Finding calm is crucial!

I find my Zen when I am out hiking. The back-to-basics appreciation of nature is so fulfilling for me! I literally breathe out my stresses and breath in gratitude when I am hiking. I often hike Kennesaw Mountain, because it is so close to work. The views from the top are fantastic and always change with the season. My husband and I took a picnic and hiked the 17.4-mile loop in one day. It was amazing! I do a lot of networking for my business, so I am known for “netwalking” rather than the traditional sitting in a coffee shop and learning about other businesses. There are fewer distractions and all those endorphins flowing really help with the creative energy. You really get to know someone!  GeorgiaRoofAdvisors.com

Karla Wilkinson is our Administrative Coordinator. She's an important member of our team and we salute her this month! 

One word: nature. Whether in the mountains, on the beach or walking by a stream in the woods,  nature pulls me in and washes away the stress and worry of the moment. The fresh air and negative ions provide a mental clarity that I can't get anywhere else. I try to get out as much as I can, but in today's hectic world, it isn't always possible. A simple five-minute walk can make a huge shift in my day. My husband and I try to make a yearly pilgrimage to a beach or lake for mental health and relaxation. 

Sue Collins is our editor and can be found scrambling riverbanks.

Thanks to my pals at Georgia Women Fly Fishing, I learned the basics, worked with a mentor and even borrowed gear before I made the investment. Hunting for trout, finding footing in a swift creek, casting successfully, changing out flies and maybe even landing a fish make my day on the water the best form of therapy. GeorgiaWomenFlyFishing.com