E-Mail This Article to a Friend Just relax Now that the holidays are over, leave the chaos behind and unwind BY CHRISTINE JUNGE

Merry, happy, joyful, fun. Any of these words can be used to describe the holiday season. But one that’s rarely used in the same sentence as "December" is "relaxing." So with all the shopping, traveling, visiting, and general chaos now over, you can take some time to sit back and unwind. For most of us, though, calm is not our normal state — so you might need some coaxing to get there.

A logical place to start is with written instructions. If the thought of entering another store has your heart pounding with anxiety, Amazon has you covered. It’s got Instant Calm: Over 100 Easy-To-Use Techniques for Relaxing Mind and Body by Paul Wilson ($10.50), which promises to teach you to have a more positive attitude, lead a calmer life, and "relax in even the most trying situations." If you’re looking for something more hands-on, try Massage: The Ultimate Illustrated Guide by Clare Maxwell-Hudson ($16.47). It’s for those who are too stressed-out to read: the detailed color photos show you exactly what to do.

If you want a daily (or even hourly) massage without all that work, head to the Sharper Image. You’ll find a slew of massagers, some of which may cause you more stress when you get the bill — like the Stretching Human Touch Robotic Leather Massage Recliner with Calf and Foot Massage ($1999.95). On the cheaper end, the Sound Soother Neck Massager with Heat, Magnets & Relaxing Sounds ($69.95) does just what its name promises. The foam pillow vibrates to massage your neck, while heat and soothing-music options relax you further. If you want something just to help drown out the noise inside and outside your head, try the Sharper Image’s Sound Soother 20 ($99.95). This small, stereo-looking device offers 20 soothing sonic choices, including wind chimes and rain-forest sounds.

If $100 seems like a bit much to spend to silence your neighbor’s dog, go to Jamaica Plain’s Cha Fahn tea room. Not only will it be a relaxing escape unto itself, but you can buy relaxing CDs such as The Dance of the Cherry Blossom ($15), which features piano, cello, violin, and the Chinese fiddle and flute. You can also take home some tea (prices vary). If you need something in which to brew loose tea, you might pick up the Sense Tea Pot ($35), a clear glass pot with a chamber in the middle to soak the tea leaves, and a beech-wood handle. For $8 more, you can get a matching cup and saucer.

Just down the street, you can also relax in a yoga class ($15) at the Blissful Monkey Yoga Studio. And if you want a reminder of the calm you felt while stretching into pretzel-like positions, the studio sells cute shirts with its monkey logo ($12–$20).

• Amazon, www.amazon.com

• Blissful Monkey Yoga Studio, 663 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, (617) 522-4411; www.blissfulmonkey.com

• Cha Fahn, 763 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, (617) 983-3575; www.chafahn.com

• Sharper Image, various locations; www.sharperimage.com

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