Other than a week-long vacation or an online college course, most of us don’t really have anything planned for our summers, unless you count lying in bed, watching TikTok, or binge-watching your favorite TV shows. But the next time you find yourself reaching for your phone or your TV remote, perhaps you would be better off doing something worth your time, like learning a new hobby, just a YouTube video away.
Bedrotting, or the term used to describe the act of staying in bed for extensive periods, being on your phone, or being unproductive, is a common form of coping mechanism to deal with stress, anxiety, or just a heavy workload. In moderation, it could be a healthy way to detach. However, done consistently, bedrotting may be a sign of depression, lead to a change in sleep patterns, and may even worsen chronic pain, according to a website article “Are ‘hurkle-durkling’ and ‘bed-rotting’ self-care strategies, or mental health warning signs?” published by Ohio State Health & Discovery.
While not totally cost-free, one activity is cooking or baking.Not only are they important life skills to have, but they are also very calming and relaxing tasks. If you’re a seasoned cook already, try making something completely out of your comfort zone, cooking dinner for your family for a night, or even hosting a little dinner party for your friends.
If you’re completely new to the kitchen, consider starting off with baking cookies or brownies first. These recipes are relatively beginner-friendly because of the simplicity in the ingredients, like butter, eggs, flour, baking soda, and sugar — nothing too fancy. While cooking is more like going with the flow, baking has more defined measurements and instructions, making it easier for beginners. When I first started my journey in the kitchen, I started with baking cookies.
But of course, how can anyone cook without herbs? Starting a small garden or keeping some plants in your house can be an affordable and therapeutic pastime. A variety of herbs are low-maintenance, such as basil, thyme, rosemary, chives, and several more. These herbs can adapt to various conditions and grow in any type of soil.
If you’re not a fan of herbs, consider adopting a succulent from Home Depot and wait for it to bloom. I have personally bought a moonsilver succulent for only two dollars, and it makes a cute houseplant that’s easy to manage. You can take this to the next level by taking care of more difficult plants such as orchids or lucky bamboo.
If you’re into DIY projects or all things miniature, consider looking into DIY puzzles or dollhouses on Amazon. While on the pricier side, these miniature dollhouses, book nooks, and sets add lots of charm to any room. Brands like Rolife offer a variety of different sets that range from $16.99 and up.
These kits are basically like LEGO sets, but with more steps and much more detail. The overall building experience can be very calming, making completing the set very satisfying. However, some kits that you may want may be too expensive, too big, and it is important to note that the kits are very time-consuming. If you also want to take this to the next level and turn these kits into a hobby, you can try to make miniature dioramas with common household items, like cardboard or miscellaneous toys.
Of course, this is not a comprehensive list of all the hobbies you could pick up over the summer. Even picking up something small and doing it consistently would be worth your time, especially when doing something productive. For example, taking a morning run or watching documentaries to learn something new. Regardless, the bottom line is not to waste your summer.