CMA Female Vocalist of the Year nominee Carrie Underwood is kicking off the October 23rd release of her new album, Storyteller, with her hot new smash “Smoke Break” — and Carrie talked with us about what she does when she can use a break from the stresses of the day. (AUDIO INFO BELOW)

• You can pre-order your copy of Carrie’s Storyteller album right now on Apple Music and get an instant download of “Smoke Break”!
• A proud member of the Grand Ole Opry, Carrie will be back on the Opry stage this Saturday, October 3rd, to help the Opry celebrate its 90th birthday weekend! For tickets and complete information on the weekend, visit Opry.com.

  Carrie Underwood appreciates a little quiet time as her “Smoke Break.” (:32)
“Sometimes stepping away from a problem, it puts things in perspective, and you can come back and actually solve the problem. I just go somewhere where it’s quiet. You know, that’s kind of my way of handling things: go sit out on the porch for a second. Just have a moment where nobody’s talking at me (laughs), you know, or asking questions, or I’m in the middle of something where I’m sure the answer’s right in front of me; I just can’t see it because I’m so involved. So, I think that’s kind of a good tool that anybody could use: just step away from it; go to your happy place.” (laughs)

  Carrie Underwood says that a little TV time can be a good break time for her. (:17)
“Even sitting down in front of the TV on the couch, you know, at night, I can’t tell you what I watch because it’s just so nothing and so mundane and unimportant, but it’s…it’s kind of a…something I don’t have to think about. I can just kind of zone out for a minute.” (laughs)