There are no shortage of “how-to” books, and with the current trend moving toward wellness, it is no surprise that there is an instructional guide on relaxing and chilling out. I am feeling a bit saturated with wellness trends and quick fixes, but Kate Hanley's Anywhere, Anytime Chill Guide is a welcome addition to the plethora of wellness products that are out there. It is fun, easy, and remarkably helpful!

When I began to read the book I found myself engaged by her light tone and quick wit. She had a Zen-like quality about her that was not untouchable, or overwhelming. Her writing is funny, down-to-earth and user-friendly. You could immediately feel that she, like any of us, is just trying to find a balance between the rush of today’s world and the types of mind/body wellness that are so popular these days. There needs to be a way to "take the yoga off the mat," and Kate gives us some great suggestions.

The book profits greatly from its layout and organization. Hanley separates types of situations you may find yourself stressed in into sections of the book - relationships, the office, and so on - and then breaks down in subcategories to specific stressors such as asking for a raise or apologizing. When you locate your stressor, there is a remedy for you. Her remedies are a mix of meditation, yoga, nutrition, breathing and mindfulness. Some are more obvious than others, depending on where you are on your own personal wellness journey, but others are downright interesting! My favorite was the "human tape recorder," which the author suggests using when on a crowded subway or bus. Instead of focusing, or obsessing in some cases, on certain sounds or conversations, try to be like a tape recorder, and hear all sounds equally. It is a challenge I assure you, and it is really fun. It did help my metro ride go by smoothly on the way into DC and I arrived refreshed and calm. There are many of these tools throughout the book and I can almost guarantee there will be a "that’s great!" moment for almost everyone.

This book could be a great gift for someone you know that could use a little help getting through the daily cocktail of annoyances. However, I think it is also a great "pre-holiday" gift for yourself. This time of the year is stressful, especially for parents. Check it out and see if this book can't help you slide through the season with a bit more ease - it's $10 well-spent!