Summer is right around the corner; school will be out for a few months. But that raises the question: what should you do with all of that free time? With that much time, you can do anything…except you don’t. Everyday you sit at home, scrolling through social media or playing the same video game you’ve been playing for 3 weeks straight. You’re bored.
The National Library of Medicine states, “Boredom is a state of mind characterized by a lack of interest, stimulation, or challenge. It is a subjective experience that can manifest in a variety of ways, including restlessness, apathy, and disinterest.”
Boredom is a normal emotion, but it does not get a lot of attention and is often ignored. Many don’t know that it can actually be bad for you. Boredom can cause depression, anxiety, and overall affects your mental health. Although boredom can boost creativity in small amounts, lasting boredom is almost always bad.
So what can you do?
There are many fun things to do in Denver during the summer. While most cost money, there are also free activities to do. For example, The Jeffco Public Library has free events that are for teens during the summer, where teenagers can hang out and complete crafts or watch movies. There are also parks to go to as well.
If you like racing activities, the Colorado National Speedway is open every Saturday night during the summer, and it’s not like any normal racing. They have activities such as their famous “trains,” where they have cars connected like trains that race around and jump over dirt hills.
There’s also Lakeside Amusement Park, with thrilling rides, bumper cars, and nights full of fun. The Forney Musuem is a train museum, with a real Big Boy train, a room full of old bicycles and motorcycles, and different exhibits of classic cars.
If you like calmer activities, the Denver Aquarium, the Denver Botanical Gardens, and the Molly Brown House are just for you. See fish and sharks at the aquarium, walk around and see the exotic plants at the gardens, and learn about the famous Titanic survivor, Margaret Brown, in her own house.
When you are bored at home this summer with nothing to do and you feel like the walls are closing in, remember there are so many things to do in the Denver metro area. So gather up your friends and make this summer the best summer of your life (or maybe just the least boring).
