With stress an almost unavoidable part of our increasingly busy lives, we've had to find ways to make time for ourselves, to unwind and re-charge our batteries.

We asked you to share your most relaxing experiences with us.

What we learnt from your responses is that finding the time to relax is a priority for many of you, and that it's often the simplest things that allow you truly to centre yourself ? whether it's running a scented bath, lighting candles and burning incense, or being outdoors in nature...

As difficult as it was to choose from the hundreds of inspiring entries we received, we could only pick one winner. The prize, a set of three wonderful meditation and relaxation books, goes to Shirley Bowers.

We've not only shared her favourite relaxing experience with you, but also those of dozens of other iafrica readers. Enjoy....

  • "Sitting on the edge of a freshly mown lawn with the afternoon sun on my back, bare feet dug into the soft sand of my herb garden and with eyes closed, smelling the heady medley of freshly picked herbs rubbed between my palms. Bliss!" - Shirley Bowers

  • "As a single mum I don't get much time to myself, but when the children are out of the house I light scented candles in the bedroom and bathroom, run a lavender bath and soak in the tub to the tunes of Van Morrison, played loud enough so that the neighbours can't hear my singing." - Michelle Petrie

  • "Sitting outside after a long day at the office, breathing in the fresh air, watching the clouds in the sky and stroking my pet, Cleo my cat. She is the most amazing loving cat and stroking her on my lap is just one of the things that brings everything back into balance after a long day. Simple and true!" - Yvonne Walsh

  • "At times of particular stress I like to go somewhere where people are expressing real joy. When living in Johannesburg I would go to international arrivals at the airport. The real joy of the people meeting long missed loved ones is infectious. It is easier to raise ones spirits in the presence of real joy." - Dave King

  • "Walking barefoot on thick grass lawns in the sunshine." - Matt du Plessis

  • "Aromatherapeutic bath. With teelite candles scattered around the bathroom area and a number of drops of lavender oil in hot and steamy water." - Thandekile Ngcobo

  • "Curling up on my bed in the sun with a fantastic book after unplugging the phone and sending the children out with their father to have their own relaxing time." - Hannelie Parkes

  • "First head balance in hatha yoga class in Port Elizabeth." - Jackie Jooste

  • "Meditating on top of Table Mountain on a sunny and warm winters morning." - Willie van Wyk

  • "Night safari in the game reserve you realise looking at all the stars how small and insignificant you are." - Sandra Quick

  • "Definitely a run on an off-road trail, breathing in fresh air, listening to the birds and appreciating mother nature..." - Joanne Fourie

  • "Lying in a warm scented bath with the window slightly ajar with the scent of my fragrant herb garden just outside the bathroom window filtering through on a gentle breeze whilst my cat purrs softly on the mat beside me." - Alexanne Tingley

  • "Listening to music (soothing sounds) with nature sounds of birds, water fall and the ocean....the more I'm with nature the more relaxed I feel." - Hitesh Naran

  • "Being next to a river on a blanket with a fascinating book, reading and relaxing. Listening only to nature and the water." - Marthie Christie

  • "Watching the sunset at Port Ligat from the deck of a yacht after a day at anchor..." - Clyde Wynter

  • "Going to the gym working out for two to three hours a day. This really tires your mind and body." - Janine Stanfield

  • "After spending a weekend in the Drakensberg I had to rush back home to an appointment. By the time I reached home it felt that all the benefits of being in the berg had been already lost. My girlfriend asked me to take a shower and then lay on the duvet. I've never had an all-over massage like that before or since. My body was tingling and I felt a strong sense of renewed energy." - Rodney Ogle

  • "When I did a hiking trip about ten years ago - The Otter Trail in the Nature's Valley area of Plettenberg Bay. It was only five days but I felt as though I had had a three week holiday - it was for me what I can imagine a retreat to be." - Margie Rousseau

  • "Having a hot blanket thrown over me after the birth of my first child." - Caroline Hirdes

  • "Lying in bed with a glass of wine on a cold day with your boyfriend massaging your back." - Brigitte Bruckmann

  • "It was delivering a yacht from Cape Town to the USA - nothing but miles of blue sea and some amazing clear skies. During your watch you get to forget about all the daily worries you had at work and can recharge your batteries. It's the best place to clear the mind and soul. Even better with good friends to enjoy the trip." - Andrew Oosthuizen

  • "Being in Mexico for a short while with nothing to do but walk on the snow white beaches and laze about in the hammocks - sheer bliss!" - Lynne Ellis

  • "The end of every single yoga class... when I've been warmed from the inside and feel calm on the outside!" - Caryn Voigt

  • "Sitting on the pier watching the sea, feeling the sun on my body and letting my mind drift like the waves." - Elaine Stupart

  • "Sitting in a boat in the middle of our dam (at our farm in Stellenbosch) one calm evening and watching the sun set against the mountain - a memorable and relaxing experience." - Louise Lawrence

  • "Lying naked on my tummy, listening to the CD Zero7 while my boyfriend massages my body with a muscle cream from The Body Shop." - Zodwa Kumalo

  • "Being given a full-body massage by my husband.? - Maya Bhana

  • "A friend performing Reiki on my stiff back and hot salt & mineral baths in New Zealand." - Amanda Barnard

  • "Having a facial done & my face massaged at my friend's salon." - Rene le Roux

  • "Going for a hot stone massage and walking amidst nature." - Yael Mirkin

  • "As an aromatherapy massage therapist, by helping my clients relax it rids me from any stress I might have had. We both walk out feeling very relaxed." - Mary Ann Spohr

  • "My most relaxing experience is short and to the point - when my boyfriend massages my feet or rubs my back or head!" - Candice Stewart

  • "Without question it has to be my weekend away at Ponto D'Ouro in Mozambique swimming with dolphins - which both relaxed and refreshed my mind, body and soul in an awesome manner!! Left me ready to cope with the stresses of everyday working life!" - Susan Dey

  • "Last month I attended a stress management workshop. The two-day workshop was filled with various exercises which help to relieve stress. After day two I felt calm and relaxed when I got back to a work (at least my new state lasted for a whole week :-)).? - Tanya Machiu

  • "I am fortunate to live on a farm and I go for walks with my dog where there are no people around only nature, cows and birds." - Karin Swanepoel

  • "Sitting at the beach & watching the waves..." - Shukri Isaacs

  • "I light candles and incense in all the rooms, slowly undress my loved one and give him a slow gentle massage. It relaxes us both and is a great stress-reliever.? - Jeanette Pressly

  • "Send husband and children off for the day. Have a long warm bath with essential aromatherapy oils, pat dry and apply scented lotion massaging into skin. Find a spot in the bedroom where the sun filters in and sit down to page through a few magazines. At this point my eyelids feel heavy and I drift off for an afternoon nap. Wake up feeling dreamy but refreshed. Perfect..." - Sita Harris

  • "Last night I did a session of Body Alignment Technique and when it was over I felt more relaxed than ever. It made me realise things about my past and future and how to deal with situations that happen. It made me feel better about myself and I was able to go to bed with a clear head and in turn slept like a new born baby in her loving mothers arms..." - Candice Jukes

  • "I like to go out into the garden near water cascading preferably sit calmly and slowly empty my head of all thoughts. Soon thereafter I am overcome by a sense of tranquillity". - Jay Bhula

  • "Relaxation, bubble bath, candles and a box of Whispers... and time to ponder what is stressing me out and re-think if it is really worth all the worry!" - Mireille Layland

  • "Doing Pranayama or slow controlled breathing - inhaling through the left nostril, holding the breath for a few moments and then exhaling through the right - I practice this regularly in the mornings chanting some mantras..." - Sethu Subramanian

  • "Playing the old DOS version of Mahjongg on the PC." - Sandra Watson

  • "Relaxing at home reading an inspiring book stuffing my face with woolies crisps!" - Jay Richards

  • Candlelit bubble bath with a glass of red and a book or magazine and Cafe del Mar playing in the background..." - Bretta Russell

  • "A glass of good wine and Mozart CD playing in the background!" - Merrilyn Morreira

  • "A weekend in the Cederberg with family, friends, good food, wine and lots of fresh country air!" - Juanita Aubin

  • "Having my head and face massaged whilst having a facial has got to be the most relaxing experience I have ever had." - Kirsten Wortmann

  • "Going to a yoga class on a Tuesday evening after a hard day's work for an hour and a half, consisting of one hour of exercises and half an hour of relaxation. Wonderful!" - Simone Wyndham-Quin

  • "Meditation on the sea sand along the north coast of KZN between 4am and 6am.? - Aneera Sunnylall

  • "I received as a Valentines Day gift half a day at a Spa. I had a back massage, foot massage, had my toenails painted, a full facial and to end it off, a healthy lunch followed by sitting in the jacuzzi. Wonderfully relaxing..." - Kelly Ratcliffe

  • "Being in the bush by myself." - Elke Cramer

  • "Reading my bible, taking long strolls on the beach and enjoying what God has blessed us with." - Carol De Reuck

  • "Sitting with a good book in a hammock in the Comores!" - Werner Coetzee

  • "Lounging in a warm bath, with no man, kids, animals or computers." - Janel Smit

  • "Locked bathroom door, foam bath, candles, classical music and chocolates..." - Elizabeth Auret

  • "Relaxing in a hot bubble bath with lavender oil on the burner and a good book." - Alison Tetley

  • "A wonderful Swedish massage in a dimly lit room with glorious smelling incense oil and soft whale sounds in the background." - Judy Born

  • "A huge fire in the fire-place, a cup of hot chocolate and a warm blanket and pillow and my husband rubbing my feet .....mmmmmmmmmmmmmm..." - Anneline Horn

  • "Having spent a few days at Montague Springs I was able to take advantage of the two hour full body massage every day for four days. On my last day I had a two-hour full body massage, one-hour Indian head massage and one hour in the Sauna. I slept like a baby after that!" - Jacqueline Carlo

  • "It was at the Western Cape Hotel & Spa in Kleinmond. In their Wellness Centre they have a 'dead sea' salt-water pool with a domed ceiling. Floating on my back with my ears under water I could hear wonderful relaxing music while gazing at the stars on the dome ceiling. Floating with my eyes closed for some of the time was also a very calming experience." - Jennifer Diamond

  • "Relaxing and meditating in the steam room after a session in the gym." - Santosh Pershad

  • "I think about my partner (fiancee). She reminds me that no matter how dire a situation might seem, that I am never alone and that I always have someone to look forward to." - Ricardo Canovi

  • "Reclining in a shady hammock next to a water feature in my secure garden with no sounds other than nature is bound to soothe any soul." - Angela Venter

  • "Most relaxing experience was and is experiencing Qi when doing Tai chi after a good hike up the mountain." - Rustum Davids

  • "Sitting at the ocean and watching the waves roll in..." - Anneline Arnachillam

  • "Visiting my local reflexologist. Thereafter sitting at the beach and watching the sun go down." - John Norman

  • "Sitting in meditation near a waterfall or running water or simply talking to oneself about your stress and then giving it out to the universe." - Wendy Wright

  • "Indian head massage - my ultimate relaxing experience ever." - Lucille Roets

  • "Lying on a cool white sandy beach in the hot sun on the Yucutan coast of Mexico, listening to acoustic guitar music played by some local guy.? - Chantre Viviers