Sometimes the stress of modern life can be too much. Whether it’s a hectic schedule, queues, inconsiderate colleagues or traffic jams, there’s always something to drive you that little bit more crazy.

When you have the rare day away the pressures of your work life, for instance during public and bank holidays; how do you prefer to spend your days? Most likely you’ll end up becoming one with your sofa; enjoying the pleasures of daytime TV, watching DVDs or playing your game console of choice.

But perhaps it’s better to spend these rare days doing something out of the ordinary. A survey taken in March 2011 showed that 25% of workers lie about their weekends, to make their lives seem more exciting. So why not have something genuinely exciting to talk about when you return to the office?

The usual choices for an adrenaline packed day are obvious : skydiving, parachuting and bungee jumping are becoming ever more popular nowadays. But there may be some modern experience days your not aware of.

For example, sphereing involves being securely fixed in the center of a giant inflatable ball and revolving like a dynamo when the ball is then pushed down a hill. This is also known as zorbing, orbing and globe riding.

Paintballing is another great way of spending time with friends. At the beginning of the day you and your group will be split into teams, which will face off against each other in a number of preplanned situations, such as Capture the Flag. Usually one team will defend a location whilst the other tries to gain entry. This is great a a team building exercise, or simply a way of letting loose.

If you are a creature of comforts, a relaxing spa day may be the thing for you. Most spas have a range of treatments, ranging from the normal to the bizarre. There’s the usual massage’s, beauty therapy and spa/sauna treatments. But as well as this, there’s some modern day stress remedies you may not of ever heard of.

Flotation treatments involve lying still in a tank of warm saline solution, with water so dense you float effortlessly. This leaves you feeling weightless, depriving you of your senses and allows you to completely empty your mind. This is a fantastic way to forget your troubles in a purpose built stress free environment.

You may prefer an adrenaline packed experience day, or a few hours forgetting the stresses of everyday life in a spa. Or even just some old-fashioned retail therapy. But whatever you do, don’t waste your time embedding the shape of your bum in the sofa.These rare free days from work are an opportunity to unwind that should be grasped with both hands.