by Anastasia Fermin, Sunshima blog writer
Summer usually starts off with a bang. Nice weather means lots of fun activities outdoors, at the beach or park. However, sometimes you can end up doing too much, too soon. When this happens, by the time August rolls around, you might be feeling a bit bored. You’re then left with lots of free time but no idea of what to do or where to go. Similarly, for those now starting their summer vacation in August, you might be looking for some fun activities to pass the time. Luckily, there is still a lot of fun to be had in August to round out a wonderful summer holiday!
Take a long weekend drive
If you have access to a vehicle, take it out for a long drive. Choose a scenic destination such as the countryside or the coast and invite a few friends or family members. Perhaps even visit that local attraction you’ve been meaning to see for ages. Long drives can be therapeutic and help with de-stressing. Play your favourite music and make a road trip out of it stopping to take pictures or enjoy the beautiful sights on the way.
Spend time in nature
There is always something to do when nature is involved. You can try camping, hiking or visiting nature parks. It’s fun for the whole family and gives you the opportunity to unplug and get away from daily distractions. Spending time in nature has many benefits for both mental and physical health.
Exercise
Being bored isn’t a bad thing. It’s a sign that your mind and body crave something new and challenging. When you feel bored, get up and move. Exercise doesn’t have to be monotonous either. Find fun ways to get your body moving like dancing, “fartlek” jogging ( a racing game you can play when out on a jog with a friend), playing a sport or doing new types of workouts. As an added bonus, you’ll release all the feel-good hormones in your body to boost your mood and happiness.
Learn something new
Learning a new skill, reading a book or even watching a documentary are great and constructive ways to tackle boredom during August. Stimulating your mind and learning something new also gets you in gear for returning to work or school after the summer break. Reading is an exceptionally good habit to form if you feel bored often. If you were never much of a reader, start small. Challenge yourself to read a few pages daily. You’ll eventually start ploughing through chapters at a time!
Just enjoy life
No one said that you have to book out your calendar all summer. Sometimes doing nothing at all is enjoyable. If you have free time, just relax. Watch a new tv series, organize your wardrobe or just spend your time chatting with friends and family. You can also think about doing something nice for a loved one and turn it into a fun project. It can be as simple as picking flowers from the garden to give to your mum! The simple things in life are meant to be enjoyed and appreciated. Taking some time to slow down, practice self-care and soak in the world around you is important and helps keep you grounded, calm and content. So, whether it is taking a long drive with friends, spending time in nature or trying something new, be sure to make the most of this last summer month!