by Jason Nelson

Created on: June 21, 2010

So, its summer!  You are at home laying on your couch, eating your favorite breakfast while watching your favorite daily show, and getting pumped for the summer festivities.  You have showered, gotten dressed, now eaten, and have made plans with your friends.  All is well!  

Suddenly, your phone rings.  You answer excitedly, maybe your friends can hang out earlier than expected.  It's your best friend, and he says his parents are making him go on vacation with him early today, and he can't hang out.  You hang up the phone, and you're a bit irked, but you you still have some of the ol' gang around.  

You get another call; your other friend's girlfriend is making him go on an all-day excursion in the city with her because they haven't had enough "romantic time." You hang up again, and you're a bit depressed.  At least you've got one more friend out there.  

You hear the phone ring for the third time, and after a brief discussion about how the gang can't all hang out today, your friend tells you, "I'll wait until they get back, I was tired anyway."  As you hang up the phone for the final time, you feel depressed.  After an hour, your not even depressed anymore; your bored! Summer is now a curse, and you need a way to make it into that happy time it was when you were a kid.  Its not too hard to do, and it only takes a few simple steps.

First, you need to assess the situation.  Who's on vacation, who's home, who's working? etc.  This will enable you to prepare for each day, and will make each day go more smoothly.  Next, you're going to have to accept a simple fact: you will have a lot of time, most likely where you are by yourself.  As simple as that sounds, it is often not observed.  Many people believe if they are by themselves, they are wasting time.  They feel bad, and they feel like without people they are worthless.  

Actually, there is a reason for this, which science can remedy.  Endorphins in the brain (the "feel good" chemicals,) are released a good deal during physical activity.  Without friends around, people tend to sit for most of the day, feeling bored and depressed.  Exercise, especially a little more vigorous activity like a short jog, supplies extra endorphins to the body, providing a "feel good" feeling. What that means is, for those who have watched TV all day or played video games for hours and felt terrible about it,

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