Thank you for the keen interest you've shown in the Magic Bag Get Away From It All Contest. In all, we received well over 30,000 relaxation secrets from Canadians from coast to coast!

Below are the winning entries. Each one was carefully selected by our editorial staff for their originality and effectiveness for coping with the modern pressures of daily life.

Grand Prize Winner

Congratulations to Audrey Turcotte of Saint-Joseph de Beauce, Quebec, for winning our Grand Prize: an all-inclusive weekend spa retreat for 2!

Daily Magic Bag Prize Winners

Amy Evans, Ontario

Pack up the kids and the dog and send them for a sleepover with the grandparents. Make two Caesar’s, light the candles and order in a romantic dinner for two. Ahhh dinner, with no interruptions and just grown up conversation. Topped off with sleeping in the next morning.

Bernice Stewart, Manitoba

To go to a scenic valley or pasture with horses and find spot to sit under a tree with a notebook and pen so in case I feel inspired to write down my thoughts, feelings, or ideas. Sometimes I don't want to write anything, instead I just take in the view - notice every little thing in the peace and quiet and fresh air and just think, think, think.

Carolyn Belair, Quebec

I like to take a nap in the middle of the day. Just half an hour and I'm good. It doesn't happen often, but this is my favorite way to relax.

Carolyn Prince, Ontario

I like to take my dog, Amala, up to the farm where I board my horse Buck, and spend time with my dog and horse, whether it be walking, riding or just grooming and hanging out. My animals help me to relax and destress.

Dale Poulter, Ontario

I really do get away from it all. I take my camera and a sandwich bag of bird seed and head out to a nearby nature trail. Small chickadees feed on black sunflower seed right from your upturned fingers. A walk in the woods offers peace and quiet.

Darlene Brown, Nova Scotia

My very favorite way to unwind is to take my kayak out into the ocean and just row away from all my worries!

Donna Weisgerber , Saskatchewan

Go for a long walk outside in the evenig when it is cold outside. Than come home and relax in the tub and then crawl into bed with a magazine or book.

Eakins Lori, Ontario

I unwind by doing something nice for someone else. This switches my focus away from by troubles, for a while, and I get a clearer perspective on my problems and solutions. Smiles are both uplifting and contagious. They are great stress relievers. I relieve my stress by helping others.

Elia Vignau, Quebec

Horseback riding is the best way to get rid of my stress and worries. For the last year i've also been practising ashtanga yoga. Focusing on the breathing, stretching and powerful move forces me to improve my focus and therefore my problems.

Erika Hasler, Ontario

The best way to unwind is to have a full body massage while ocean music plays in the background and vanilla scented candles burn.

Ester Sekeris, Ontario

To unwind I like to pick a destination I would love to travel to and plan out the whole trip using the internet and/or guides from the library. It doesn't even matter if I actually take the trip, the planning takes me away for a while !

Eswina Ngai, Alberta

Ballroom dancing is how I unwind. I take regular private lessons and there's nothing more uplifting that dancing with my instructor. It's great exercise and at the end of my hour I'm usually tired but really glad to be alive!

Eve Adams, Ontario

I have learned to meditate and clear my mind ; I keep a daily journal where I record all I have to be grateful for, thus promoting my positive thinking. I do imagery and transport my mind to a pleasant place to relax with music. I also enjoy aroma therapy.

Frania Granville, Ontario

My favorite way to unwind is to dance. I recently started tap dancing and I find that putting on some music and tapping away releases all of the week's tension - the music combined with exercise gives me a wonderful feeling of release which lasts the whole week, until my next class.

Irene Sprung- Marges, Ontario

I started a ladies support group which I hold at my house once a week. Nothing like sitting around with other ladies in your area, chatting, laughing, getting different ideas how to deal, cope with life and stress. We share info, ideas, feelings, fears, learn, apreciate and relax with each other. Incredibly rejuevenating.

Jane Gazmen, Ontario

I need to travel and unwind in a new city as well as do some shopping. I like to take a walk to get a breath of fresh air in a new environment.

Jeffrey Glucksman, Ontario

I like to come home and snuggle with my wife and watch a DVD in bed.

Joan LeVasseur, Quebec

I play golf to relieve my stress. It is a game to play against yourself and the course. No stress trying to beat anyone else. You concentrate only on the ball.

Joan Finley, Nova Scotia

My favorite way to unwind is to go walking on a beach, having the sand squish between my toes, have the sounds of the waves crashing on the shore, enjoying the sun and the breeze. Total peace and relaxation!

Joanne Garnett, Ontario

My ultimate favorite way to unwind is to arrange fun times out for my husband and kids. This way - I get the house to myself. That means - peace and quiet. Then, I meditate and focus on all good things in life. I look at any stressful or negative current situations and find the good in each of them. I picture myself healthy, happy and full of love to give out to family, friends and whomever I cross paths with. This is how I unwind and reboot myself.

Joyce Kennedy, Ontario

I find the best way to de-stress is to go out somewhere for coffee or lunch with someone I can trust. We each get to "vent" for a few minutes and then we talk about the good things in our lives and hopefully, end up laughing.

Kimberly Ropson, Prince Edward Island

My favorite way to unwind is through my painting. The moment I pick up my brush, I get taken away from everyday stresses and anxiety into a peaceful, serene landscape where all is well. It's almost like I'm leaving a room full of irritable noices and entering a room filled with soothing music and peaceful harmony.

Krista Brown, Saskatchewan

Put my feet up, rock in the glider rocker, read a magazine, do some sudoku or watch a good program on TV.

Kristine Hibbs, Newfoundland and Labrador

I like to get out old photos and take a trip down memory lane... It really does my heart good, lifts my spirits and I always find myself smiling and laughing at the days gone by.

Laura Piche, Saskatchewan

We love to go to Waskesui Provincial Park in Saskatchewan every fall in early September. The leaves are beautiful, there are way less people and we rent a beautiful cabin outside of the main town. It is so relaxing to go down to the beach, have a relaxing time reading, walking and enjoying the quiet.

Loretta Friesen, Alberta

I visit the wellness center in my town where I spend 10 minutes on a whole body vibration machine. It's a workout and a relaxation exercise all in one. My health has really improved. I no longer have insomnia and no longer feel tired and rundown by mid-afternoon. I no longer need thyroid medication.

Luey Vera, Ontario

I like to play 9 holes of golf by myself after supper. I bring two clubs and a putter and I never keep score. I play quickly and enjoy my peaceful time on the golf course.

Marisa Testa, Quebec

My favorite way to unwind is with a full body massage. The masseur/masseuse has relaxing music on in the background... and I just drift off into lala land. If I can't get a massage, sitting in my living room with music playing, a fire going in the fire place and candles lit, also does the trick. Life is too short to spend it stressed out all the time... We need to unwind.

Mary Jo Welch, Manitoba

Having just switch from film to a digital camera, I am leaving the stressors of the day to learn and enjoy it. My "play-time" is spent sauntering and looking for letters of the alphabet created by sunlight and shadows from nature and buildings as the day's light strikes or filters through each items. It's delightful!

Nancy Chow, Alberta

Training in martial arts with a group of men is my way of de-stressing. The physical and mental challenges really get my endorphins going and I always leave class feeling energized.

Nancy Fennell, Ontario

My favourite way to unwind is to have a date night with my husband. I choose a meal that we can prepare together. This way we learn cooking techniques from each other on the barbeque or inside and we get a chance to chat about our week while sipping on a glass of wine. We light a few candles and put on some music and enjoy unwinding while we feast on a great new recipe. Afterward we take turns giving each other massages. It is wonderful.

Nathalie Gagnon, Quebec

It is to find a moment when I can read while one of my kids plays the piano, the other one plays chest with dad and the other two play quietely with each other. Believe me, these moment are precious, it's when you have the cake and eat it too.

Robin Schooley, British Columbia

The best way to take the stress out of my life is to leave the housework, the yardwork and all the rest of the work behind and get into nature with my son and husband. Nothing is more restorative than a walk through the woods, a picnic at a lake, an oceanside walk or a drive in the country. The only sound: water, birds, a breeze, squirrels. The stress just falls away and you appreciate the things that really matter.

Rosi Van Meel, British Columbia

My favourite way to unwind is to launch my canoe and go for a solo paddle. Sunsets, autumn mists, rainbows, the call of a loon... It is never the same. But it is always quiet and completely renews my soul.

Tracy Topping, Ontario

Turning off all lights and watching the wood burning fire, sipping tea.

Vicki Hankins, British Columbia

My favorite way to unwind is to have a painting project. It would be just me, some wonderful soothing, relaxing music and my own project to leasurely take my time to unwind and enjoy the serenity of the environment I am in.