Envision yourself in a place where the clock seems frozen, gentle music makes you close your eyes, and there is no such thing as a wringing mobile phone or e-mail to check. You can soak in a tub or get your tenseness massaged out of you, and by the time you’re done you feel like you’ve been reborn.

There are several such places on the Kitsap Peninsula, where for half a day or even an hour you can escape, forget about your boss, the latest report due, or the stress from planning that family vacation. And by the time you’re done, you’ll feel like a new person, are ready for a career move or to tell the boss exactly what you think. Well, maybe not. But you’ll definitely feel like you’ve given away part of your worries, got recharged, and at the very least can finish that report with style.

There may not be any scientific studies done on why a trip to the local spa seems to transform a person. But ask anyone working there and they’ll testify that many people rush in, flinging the doors open, muscles so tense you could string a cord on them, and by the time they’re done, they even walk differently. It’s as if they checked their stress at the door and forgot to pick it up after a brief encounter with blissful tranquility.

“We make them turn off their phone at the door, even if it’s just for a massage,” said employees of Gig Harbor Massage and Spa.

While at the Gig Harbor spa, each person is offered tea and a foot soak while waiting. Low lights, music in every room and candles burning in the reception area complete the atmosphere, which owner Patty Alderson designed as a “quick escape” close to home.

The services at each spa are similar, and various packages cater to men, women, couples, even chocolate lovers and workaholics. At Gig Harbor Spa, for example, you can stay all day and get just about everything done — including being served lunch. At Olympic Day Spa and Massage in Poulsbo, a relaxation package takes care of the essentials like facial, massage, scalp treatment and Jacuzzi or spa; or if you love chocolate, vanilla or pumpkin, you’ll find a package just for you.

The beauty of these facilities is that you can find them not far from home or work, and the services are affordable so you can visit once a month or even once a week — you can even take an extended lunch and indulge in one hour of de-stressing instead of elbowing others in the fast food line. Or you can bring your wonderful other half and share a mini-vacation for a few afternoon hours. Some spas will even offer you an “amore” package in a very intimate atmosphere.