Rainy Days and Summer Blues

We have certainly had the rain over the past few weeks! I don’t know about you, but rainy days make me sleepy, sluggish, and sometimes even a little sad. That’s a pretty normal response, actually. After all, The Carpenters had a hit song in the 70s that said “Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.” We all know that we need the rain to water the crops and flowers, but lately, at least here in the Virginia Mountains,  it feels like someone forgot to turn off the faucet! A rainy day or two here and there during the summer brings welcome relief to the heat, but day after day of heavy downpours, or even just steady drizzle and fog can make anyone feel unmotivated. Here are some things you can try to beat those rainy-day blues for both you and your loved one.

Good old fashioned board games are a great way to pass the time. Checkers and Chess, or classics like Monopoly or Scrabble are lots of fun, and they all engage your brain as well as passing the time. You can also share stories about playing in the rain when you were a child or ask your loved one what they did as a child when it rained.

Cooking is both relaxing and therapeutic. Many favorites can be made with the standard ingredients most kitchens have, but you might also want to plan ahead and keep items on hand for something a little more special. Preparing and sharing favorite foods are also great opportunities to share memories.

You can break out the popcorn and settle in to watch a movie together. You could pick an old classic movie (“Singing in the Rain” would certainly be appropriate) or take the opportunity to watch something new. Again, if you plan ahead for days like this, you can even pick up some paper popcorn boxes so you can make the living room feel more like the cinema.

Try one of these or let one of these suggestions remind you of something else that will work. Regardless, finding fun things to do on dreary days can turn them into opportunities to let your heart shine even when the sun doesn’t.

Betsy and I hope you’ll join the conversation below and let us know your thoughts on ways to beat those rainy-day blues.