We all have days when we're about to lose our ish. 

Things we have tried: Screaming into a pillow, yelling "serenity now." 

Or you can get out and experience some good old Tucson zen.

We found 11 places you can go for a much needed time-out.

Now, take a deep breath and relax. You've got this.

Enjoy the sunrise or sunset from Tumamoc Hill

Not much beats moving your body for peace of mind. Except for maybe watching a gorgeous Tucson sunset. You can do both on Tumamoc Hill. 

The road up and down the hill is paved and gains about 700 feet in elevation. The 1.5 mile trek up is a great workout, with breathtaking views of the city as your reward.

Where: West of downtown and A Mountain, near North Silverbell and West Anklam Roads. Click here for a map. 

When: You can walk anytime before 7:30 a.m. and after 5:30 p.m.

Cost: Free 

Rooftop yoga

Yoga is known for soothing the soul. Why not try it in the evening on the rooftop of Playground Tucson

YogaOasis and Playground have joined forces to make that happen.

Think of the awesome views you'll have of the Tucson skyline while you clear your head and stretch those muscles. 

What: Rooftop Yoga Hour

Where: Playground Tucson, 278 E. Congress Street

When: 7 p.m. every Tuesday

Cost: $6 (Bring your own mat)

Playground Tucson and YogaOasis have joined forces to offer Rooftop Yoga every Tuesday evening. 

Surround yourself with art 

Built at the foot of the Catalina Mountains, DeGrazia's Gallery in the Sun makes for a beautiful respite from your crazy life. The gallery sits on ten acres of desert and includes a chapel, courtyard and tons of the artist's personal touches, such as arches with flowers made of recycled cans. There are about 15,000 DeGrazia originals displayed at the gallery, including oils, watercolors, sketches, serigraphs, lithographs, sculptures, ceramics and jewelry. 

What: DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun

Where: 6300 N. Swan Road

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily

Cost: $8 for adults; $5 for kids ages 12-18 and free for children under 12

DeGrazia's Gallery in the Sun and Chapel in the Sun sits at the base of the Catalina Mountains and offer a beautiful place to take some me-time. 

Sit by the water

Enjoy the soul soothing effects of sitting by a pond and watching the turtles and birds at Agua Caliente Park. While you're there, wander the walking paths, practice your photography or painting skills or simply sit on one of the benches or the lush green grass and read a book.

What: Agua Caliente Park

Where: 12325 E. Roger Road

When: 7 a.m. to sunset daily

Cost: Free

A painter works next to the main pond at Agua Caliente Park.

Go for a drive

We're not talking a drive through the city. Try the 8-mile loop at Saguaro National Park East. The loop takes you through gorgeous hills peppered with saguaros and other desert flora. And you may even see some wildlife. Park in one of the pull-out areas to breathe in the fresh air and take a break from the city. 

If you're feeling ambitious, get out and walk the loop or one of the many trails in the park. 

What: Saguaro National Park East

Where: 3693 S. Old Spanish Trail

When: 7 a.m. to sunset for vehicles, but you can walk or bike into the park 24 hours a day

Cost: $10 for vehicle pass, or $5 to enter by foot or bicycle. Passes are good for one week. 

The view east over Reef Rock from near the top of the Rincon Mountains in Saguaro National Park. This photo was taken in June.

Color with other adults

There's something to be said for getting out the colored pencils and just coloring. Have you seen the amazing coloring books available? You can easily do this by yourself at a local coffee shop, or you can join other adults for coloring and conversation. 

Here are two coloring clubs you can go to:

• Adult Color Club at Bookmans Speedway, 6230 E. Speedway.

It's at 8 p.m. the second Friday of each month and it's free. Supplies are provided or you can bring your own. Plus there are coloring books available for purchase.

• Adult Coloring Hour at Mostly Books, 6208 E. Speedway.

You can go at 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday or at 1 p.m. on the fourth Saturday every month. 

Jody Hardy, manager of Mostly Books, works on her “Alice in Wonderland” coloring book during an adult coloring hour at the store.

Get lost in a garden

You'll feel all the zen after walking through the nature trails and exploring the gardens at Tohono Chul Park. There's also an art gallery, as well as several art pieces throughout the gardens. 

What: Tohono Chul Park

Where: 7366 N. Paseo Del Norte

When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Cost: $10 for adults; $3 children

Visitors use a map to wind their way through the many tunnels and paths at Tohono Chul Park during National Public Gardens Day.

Go for a walk

You don't even need a car. Just put on your shoes and explore your neighborhood. Take the time to really notice pretty yards, houses and hidden gems.

If you'd rather walk somewhere else, we recommend the Pima County Loop. Our favorite part is along the Rillito River from Swan Road to First Ave. If you go on a Sunday morning, you can stop at the St. Philip's Plaza Farmer's Market for veggies, fruit and hot coffee. 

What: St. Philip's Plaza Farmers' Market

Where: St. Philip's Plaza, 4280 N. Campbell Ave.

When: 8 a.m. to noon Sundays. There's also an evening market from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays.

Peter Polley sells vegetables from Big D Farm at the St. Philip’s Plaza farmers market.

Retail therapy

Walk around the fancy stores and beautiful courtyard at La Encantada. Treat yourself to bath bombs from Lush, a cute top from Anthropologie or wander through Pottery Barn and the Apple Store. Even if you don't buy anything, it's just fun to go there without kids. Make sure to indulge in something decadent and chocolatey from the bakery at AJ's or a gelato from Frost. 

What: Shopping

Where: La Encantada, 2905 E. Skyline Drive

When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Restaurant and store hours may vary. 

Get pampered

There are many ways to pamper yourself. But, our favorite thing to do is get a pedicure. After soaking your feet and having them massaged and looking fancy, you'll feel like a million bucks. There are nail salons all over Tucson. Click here for a map.

For added relaxation, choose a nail salon close to something else, like the library, a wine bar or shops. 

What: Pedicure

Where: Lily Nail Spa, 438 N. Wilmot Road

When: 9 a.m. to 7 p. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

Cost: Starting at $25

Contact: 886-5180

What's nearby: If you're hungry, grab lunch at Dao's Tai Pan's in the same strip as Lily Nail Spa. Murphy Wilmot Library is right next door. Or, get in the car and drive half a mile north to Beyond Bread, Bookmans or Mostly Books. All are located in the Monterey Village shopping center on the southwest corner of Wilmot and Speedway.

Take in the view

If you've ever driven up to Mount Lemmon, you've probably stopped at Windy Point Vista. It's at mile marker 14 on Catalina Highway. There are bathrooms and lots of cool rock formations.

But most importantly, the city looks so peaceful from up there, you'll forget why you were stressed out in the first place. 

Find a place to sit and take in the view of Tucson. Sunset is especially nice, but it's beautiful any time of the day.

Tucsonan Gina Beca looks out over the city from Windy Point Vista on Mount Lemmon. This would make a lovely spot to watch the sunset with your loved one. 


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Angela Pittenger | This Is Tucson