Summer is a great time to be outside whether you are just sitting out enjoying the weather, walking the dog or playing a game in the yard. But unfortunately, we do not always have the luxury of nice weather, even though it is summer. Summer does not always mean you have to live outside, especially on those rainy or extremely hot days, here are several activities you can enjoy inside when the weather is gloomy or just too dang hot.

Puzzles

Puzzles are a great way to occupy a small chunk of time, especially during the summer when you don’t have to feel guilty for “wasting time” because you have a large to do list. Puzzles solve boredom and also help relieve stress. For me, finding pieces that fit together in a puzzle is so soothing and stress relieving. Just be sure to not spend too long on a puzzle in one sitting because when then it can cause more stress if you spend three hours looking for a single piece.

Reading

Not my personal favorite, but I do enjoy a nice romance novel or even magazine on a boring summer day when I am stranded inside. For many people, reading is an excellent escape out of reality, where you get to live in a different world for a short time. If you find a good book, you can find yourself spending large chunks of time in a book.

Draw/Paint

Taking time to sit down and do a sketch or a painting can also be very stress relieving and relaxing. Even if you are no artist, just expressing yourself in design and color can feel great! What better time to clear your head, then a hot or rainy summer day.

Write

If art or reading are not your forte, then writing is the activity for you. Although I try to do a little bit of everything on this list, writing has always been one of my favorites. Whether this be writing in a journal, writing a poem, or working on a novel, writing is also a wonderful inside activity that can clear your mind and relieve stress.

Catch up on the latest show

No matter how much you love a show, it can be hard to sit inside when the sun is shining and there is a nice breeze outside, so when it is not so nice outside, it is the perfect chance to play catch up on all the latest shows.

Enjoy your favorite movies

If you are caught up or are not really following any shows, there is nothing wrong with watching a handful of your favorite films. To me, a rainy day is the best opportunity for a movie marathon.

Experiment with new recipes

On an average day when you are running around trying to get everything done and enjoy the weather, we tend to whip up the fastest and easiest meal we can, but when you spend all day inside, it is the perfect chance to try something new, experiment with new recipes that you have been wanting to try.

No matter the reason you are stuck inside, there is no excuse to be bored. Try something new. Experiment. Be inventive.