How To Beat Summer Boredom

Summer is all about warm weather, blue skies and plenty of time to relax. However, when the long, unstructured days stretch out before us, we can find ourselves with nothing to do. When summer boredom strikes, we need to find ways to keep ourselves occupied. Keep reading for some fun activities that will beat summer boredom.

Summer Boredom Busters

Find some H2O

The first thing to do on a hot summer day is find an activity that involves water. Some obvious choices are visiting the pool or local water park but there are plenty of other options that will cool you off and lift you out of the summer doldrums. Feeling adventurous? Kayaking, rafting and boating are great ways to get out of the house and spend an exciting day on the water. Staying home? Why not create some backyard fun with the water sprinkler or stage a squirt gun fight? Even washing the car can be a great way to cool off and have fun, especially if you grab a friend to help you out.

Start a hobby

Another way to say good-bye to boredom is to start a new hobby. Begin by thinking about the kinds of things that you like to do. Are you creative? Do you like to be outside? Narrow down your preferences to make it easier to find an activity that you might enjoy. From painting and photography to cooking and gardening, there is something for everyone to enjoy this summer.

Start a podcast

Have you ever wanted to start a podcast? Now is the best time to give it a go! First, come up with a topic and pick a podcast name. Next, decide on your format and get some equipment, which doesn’t have to be expensive, especially just starting out. Choose your hosting service and then start recording! Podcasting is the perfect boredom buster that will have you exploring educational and entertaining topics.

Get cooking

Get creative in the kitchen or on the grill. Summer is a great time to try new recipes. With fresh, seasonal ingredients, it’s fun to create crisp, cold salads, grilled veggies and meats and chilled pasta dishes. Do you love lobster rolls but have never tried making them? It’s time to cultivate your culinary skills this summer and explore the art of cooking. Here’s another option, try canning some fruit preserves after an afternoon of strawberry picking.

Make ice cream

Gather everyone together for some home-made ice cream! This can be a fun, family event on a hot summer day even if you don’t have an ice cream maker. This delicious treat is probably easier to make than you think and so much better than store bought varieties. Use fresh summer fruit to make up your own flavors like blueberry-banana or strawberry-chocolate chip. Add your own topping bar with small candies, nuts, and whipped cream. The possibilities are endless!

Binge read

You may have binge watched a television series, but you most likely haven’t binge read a book series lately. Find your favorite author and grab several of their books or a series of books to read. Whether you find a spot under the umbrella at the pool or a cool, quiet corner of your home, getting lost in a good book can make the hours pass like minutes.

Journal

Starting a journal is easy. All it requires is a pen, some paper and a little free time. Journaling is a great way to organize your thoughts and reflect on your life. It can be helpful in personal growth, working through emotional issues and even defining your dreams and ambitions. This summer, just start writing and see where it leads.

Get learning

Learning a new language is a great way to make use of your summer spare time. When we learn new things, we get a rush of dopamine, the “happiness” chemical in our brain. This motivates us to follow through with our new learning regimen. Learning a new language can help improve memory and can also give us insight into other cultures. You are never too old to learn a new language.

Get local

Check out the local events happening near you. From farmer’s markets to botanical gardens, music festivals to fairs there are usually lots of things happening in the summer months. Don’t forget to check out your local library and nearby parks. Many of them have volunteer opportunities which will keep you busy and feeling good about helping the community.

Check it out

Chances are there is a small town near you that you have been wanting to visit. Whether it’s shopping in quaint boutiques or grabbing lunch in a café, historic small towns have qualities that can’t always be found in big cities. These walkable towns with charming store fronts and interesting, eclectic shops are great for visiting on an afternoon or even staying overnight. Make a small-town visit part of your summer bucket list, you won’t regret it.

Have fun

When the dog days of summer start to drag you down, remember that there are plenty of fun things to do if you just look around. From cooling off at the water park to music festivals, cooking and starting new hobbies, summer offers a smorgasbord of activities to enjoy with your family and friends. So go ahead and dive in, it would be a shame to miss out on so much fun. Here’s to the best summer ever!

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Photo courtesy Pixabay/TheDigitalArtist