The mad rush to the end of the year is never fun. The shortened days, never-ending holiday parties, last-minute gift buying, or looming end-of-year deadlines always bring with them an undue amount of stress and anxiety. Here are a few ways that you can de-stress this month, thanks to members (both two- and four-legged) of the Knox community:

1. Color your way calm—"It's fun to color, and you can't be having fun and be anxious at the same time very easily,'' said Professor Tim Kasser in a recent article in the magazine Safe Bee. Kasser's research into the anxiety-reducing benefits of coloring, which he conducted jointly with Knox graduate Nancy Curry '04, has received renewed attention with the rising popularity of adult coloring books. Read more about the stress-reducing benefits of coloring.
2. Pause for paws—Knox students aren't the only ones who get to take a few minutes out of a stressful day to hang out with some friendly dogs. Thanks to this great video, anyone can spend a few minutes with these adorable four-legged friends of our faculty and staff.
3. Read some great books—We all know that reading a great book at the end of a busy day can help us relax and escape the stress of our everyday lives, if only for a few minutes. And members of the Knox community have been publishing some terrific works as of late. Check out recent publications from Knox alumni and faculty in the latest issue of Knox Magazine (see page 39).
4. Support a great cause—We all know that supporting a cause or organization we believe in is one of the best ways to find happiness. Last year, more than 7,000 alumni, parents, and friends gave to Knox in support of our academic program, faculty, and students. And there's still time to give this year. Your support takes Knox further, faster. Give today.

View more photos from the end of fall term on Flickr.