Are you worn out? Are you a workaholic? Are you trapped in an exhausting daily routine? Today’s column is all about relaxation.

As a bride, it is absolutely imperative to stop every now and then and breathe. This weekend enabled me to do just that.

On Friday afternoon after work, I kissed my to-do list goodbye for three days and headed to the lake. The rainy weather forecast didn’t affect my decision to go or sadden me in any way; I was getting away.

Things are going great, don’t get me wrong…it was just nice to slip away from the city, from the bridal magazines, from the decision-making, and recharge.

So how did I recharge?

I cooked dinner. Who knew going to the grocery store and coming home and cooking a nice meal would be such rejuvenation? It was.

I watched a movie… actually two. I saw the latest Pirates of the Caribbean and Once. Both were great. Once was inspirational and got me excited to get back to playing music.

I went tubing and wakeboarding. When your to-do list is long, you don’t make time for recreation. This was a great workout and tons of fun. I don’t think I stopped laughing from the second I got on the tube to the second I got thrown off.

I read US Weekly. There’s nothing like sitting on the patio with a good mag while watching the rain come down. Nice!

I cleaned. My cousins are all coming in town this week and staying at the lakehouse, so we had to get it all cleaned up for them. Sounds crazy, but I enjoyed it! It’s been a while since I’ve taken some time to get a place really clean. Kinda wish it was my room that I was cleaning, but I’ll make some time to tackle it soon.

I did not go online for three whole days. It’s amazing how therapeutic it can be to not be able to log in to e-mail or the Internet for anything. Even if I thought about things I needed to do, I was forced to continue to chill until Sunday night when I got home.

I spent Monday running errands and getting back to the list and it felt great. I was well-rested and ready to go. This morning, I got up early to go run—something I haven’t done in way too long—so today already got off to a great start.

What I learned: Whether you’re planning a wedding, raising a family, getting too busy with work, looking for a new home or all of the above, take time away from the daily grind to rejuvenate, to get back to your full potential. Do something you love, do something fun. Make time to laugh and enjoy yourself, then it will make the process you’re in all the more enjoyable. It has already made a difference in my week and can in yours as well.

Christina Rucker shares her journey to matrimony each Wednesday.   E-mail o8sis