Are you finding yourself overwhelmed? Is life getting too chaotic? Is it time to escape for a while? Summer used to be the season of freedom, endless daylight and friends. It seems like the older we get, the more our schedules fill up with responsibilities and the less time there is to have a social life. They never warned us about this side of growing up! If you are like me, you need a break. Here are five things you can do to escape and catch your breath!

1. Dive into a Good Book

There's no better way to escape than getting lost in the universe of your favorite book. Whether you find yourself at Hogwarts or in Middle Earth, you find yourself in a world with a little less reality and a lot less responsibilities. Your problems cease to exist and for just a while, you can breathe again. Pick up your favorite book, pour yourself a drink, put your feet up and relax.

2. Get Some Fresh Air

Getting outside is important and the perfect way to escape the noise of the world. Put your phone down and go for a walk. Jump in the pool. Find your way to a local park, and sit by the water or underneath some trees. You could even set up a hammock and relax a while. Nature not only provides us with something beautiful to admire, but it also reminds us just how small we are. Let your mind go, find peace, and escape into your surroundings.

3. Get Crafty

Let the chaos of your life create something beautiful. Open up your craft board on Pinterest and finally make time to complete that project you keep dreaming about doing. Paint a canvas. Write a poem. Record your new rap. Make an event out of it, and invite your closest friends over for a paint and sip night. Getting things out of your mind and into a piece of art is the perfect way to de-stress and escape.

4. Go for a drive

Do you ever just feel trapped in your own house? When you need to get out and escape the latest family drama, go for a drive! Find your favorite route and just keep driving. There is nothing much better than cruising with the windows down and the music turned up on a clear summer night. It is the perfect way to clear your head and let the worries of the day go. It is even better if your parents still pay for your gas!

5. Treat yo'self

Chances are you've been working too hard or are being consumed by summer classes that you thought would be much easier and are finding yourself ready to break. Treat. Yo. Self. Take yourself to a movie. Go on a shopping spree. Get your nails done. Have a glass of wine and binge watch Netflix. There's no better way to escape the stress than to take a day off to take care of yourself. You deserve it!