What's There to Do on a Rainy Day?

No matter where you live, at one time or another, you are bound to suffer the boredom a rainy, gloomy day can cause you. It can become especially disheartening when the cold, gray sky has hidden the sun for several days in a row. There are a few things you can do to give yourself some joy on days like these.

Pick up a novel. Find a comfortable place, settle down with a hot tea, and read until your heart's content. Whether you enjoy romance, mystery, or sci-fi, there are endless journeys you can take through a good book. I few authors I recommend are Nicholas Sparks, Dan Brown, and Barbara Delinsky. Sparks is a fabulous story teller. He has the ability to pull at your heart strings. Dan Brown has the ability to create great suspense and action. I enjoyed The Davinci Code by Dan Brown. Barbara Delinsky is a good writer of light romance. With pleasant settings and characters, her stories are exceptional. I recommend reading The Summer Dared by Barbara Delinsky.

Do yoga and meditation. I find it very relaxing to do yoga in the privacy of my own home. There are numerous yoga DVD's for sale. Yoga is beneficial to your body and mind. With continued yoga practice, you will feel energized and look toned. Learning to meditate will give your mind renewal. There is a wonderful sense of calm after time spent doing this ancient practice.

Feed the birds. Birds don't hide in a tree all day simply because the weather is undesirable. They go out to eat, rain or shine. They are beautiful to watch. In my yard we attract cardinals, blue jays, doves, a woodpecker, sparrows, and chickadees. The woodpecker has what looks like zebra stripes on his back. The red of the cardinal and the bright blue of the blue jay brings color to any gray day.

Write in a journal. This is simply the act of writing down your thoughts and feelings. Doing this has been helpful to overcome bad feelings you might not have been able to get over or to sort out a dilemma you may have been having. Documenting the happy feelings and times you have is nice to be able to look back on later on as well.

Blow a few bubbles in the house. This may sound juvenile but it's fun! Plain and simple, blowing bubbles takes you back to the days when your biggest decision was whether to play with your dolls or ride your bike. Notice the iridescence in each bubble. Watch it float effortlessly. If you have cats buy some catnip bubbles. You and your cats can play away some of a gray day.

Do you live with others? Suggest playing a board game. Games like Chinese checkers, chess, or any board game will keep your mind active. Board games are a great way to bond and laugh with those you love. Do you live alone? There are online games to play with others like yourself. I occasionally pass the time with a game of online backgammon.

Bake a loaf of banana bread. The smell of this baking bread will make your mouth water. Fresh, warm banana bread is a delight. It tastes great. Here is an easy banana bread recipe:

½ cup shortening

1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup sugar

1 cup mashed bananas
2 eggs

½ cup walnuts (optional)
2 cups flour

1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda

Cream shortening and sugar until fluffy in a medium size bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Sift flour, soda, and salt. Stir quickly into creamed mixture just until blended.
Stir in mashed bananas, walnuts, and vanilla.
Pour into a greased loaf pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for one hour or until center is firm.
Enjoy!

Make popcorn and watch a funny movie. A light-hearted comedy is a wonderful way to keep your spirits up. Laughter is good for our overall well-being.

Paint your toenails. Use a bright, fun, sunny shade. Something so seemingly insignificant like pink toenails can bring a smile to your face.

Take a long, warm bubble bath. It's so relaxing to sit in a tub full of vanilla scented bubbles and let your mind drift. Light and place a soy candle beside you. My vanilla coffee soy candle has pleased my senses many times. I prefer soy to wax because they are cleaner burning. After a nice long soak take the time to lotion from head to toe and wrap yourself up in a big fluffy robe.

Do you have a fireplace? Once you are in that big fluffy robe of yours, make yourself a soothing hot cocoa with milk. Bundle up on the sofa with a soft warm blanket and daydream into the flames. The flames of a fire are hypnotizing and mesmerizing.

What's so bad about a rainy day after all? You can have a fulfilling day regardless of what it's doing outdoors. Don't get down. Get up and make that banana bread!