Relax. Unwind. Read.

Transitioning from a busy work life full of stresses and the urge to stay connected can induce an uneasy feeling of campsite-anxiety when not bombarded with a steady stream of input from associates, friends, radio, TV, and smart phones.

Here is a novel idea (pun intended). Wean yourself off the constant media stream by reading books—not instructional, self-help, non-fiction--but novels. Mysteries. Historical. Crime. Humor. Romance.

Novels are a very inexpensive form of quiet relaxation, and don’t require always buying bestsellers at $25 a pop. Check out used book stores, eBay, Amazon, and flea markets. Help your campground host set up a free book exchange—donate one, take one.

Ebooks, both free and for sale, can be downloaded and read on almost any smart phone or eReader, like the Kindle and Nook. The choice of ebooks in nearly infinite and you can read novels written by authors that did not get signed by the big publishers, which can sometimes be wonderful reading.

Then go sit somewhere alone, get comfortable, turn off your Blackberry or phone, and immerse yourself in the story. Relax. Enjoy the quiet.