Yes, June-uary strikes again! It’s entirely possible this is a result of global warming, but we’re not going to get into that here. The fact is, June so far has been alternately glorious and gloomy, which is too much for many of us to deal with now that summer’s finally here.
We’re here to help. Here’s a list of seven ways to neutralize the June-uary blues, designed to get you through the rest of the month.
Exercise
(Image courtesy of ThinkStock)
We shouldn’t even have to tell you this. Rather than sitting around moping in the gloom, getting some exercise – any kind of excercise – will not only keep you busy, but will actually improve your mood. Through excercise, your body releases endorphins, which can act as a sedative and can help alter your perception of pain and stress. But never mind the details – go ride a bike.
Netflix marathon, obviously
(Image courtesy of ThinkStock)
If excercising just ain't yo' thang, or you've already done 75 lunges this morning, it's always nice to shut the blinds and tune out the gloom with a good ol’ fashioned, six-hour Netflix marathon. In case your wondering, The Killing is a deeply, deeply underrated show.
Check out some live music
Maybe you reached Netflix overload during that bleary winter (but, really, c’mon...) and need to get out of the house. That’s great. Go see some music. Did you know that the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival is happening right now? Check out some free shows, mate.
Get inside Douglas Coupland’s head
(Photo by Andrew Fleming)
Have you seen that bulbous head sculpture with all the gum stuck all over outside the Vancouver Art Gallery? Yeah, well, that’s to advertise the summer-long VAG exhibition, Douglas Coupland: everywhere is anywhere is anything is everything, which displays an array of work from Vancouver’s favourite creative son.
Go laugh
(Photo courtesy of the Sunday Service)
This city has a rich comedy scene, in case you didn’t realize, and there are dozens of places to get a good laugh throughout the week. The much-ballyhooed Sunday Service does its thing every week at the Fox Cabaret. Ditto the Instant Theatre Company at Havana Theatre. If you’re willing to splurge, Monty Python’s Spamalot ends its run at the Stanley on June 29.
Read a book, already
(Image via ThinkStock)
You know how you’re always thinking about picking up a book and actually finishing it? Well, since you’re already bunkering away in your apartment, and since you’re already attempting to better yourself as a human being, like, expanding your knowledge or whatever, maybe now’s the time to tackle that copy of 100 Years of Solitude that's been calling to your from your bedside table for two years. Or, maybe start with something a little easier. Some David Sedaris perhaps? Or if you’re not a fan of laughing, Gone Girl is a real knuckle-biter. Or just go to Pulp Fiction Books and ask for some suggestions. They have you covered.
Drink beer
(Photo by Stephen Smysnuik)
We can’t advocate this enough, what with all the hip new breweries sprouting up like dandelions across East Vancouver. Main Street Brewing Company just opened at East 7th (a block from Main, obvs). Also, beer has that almost mystical ability to wipe away any dour feelings and depression for…well, a couple of hours, before the boozy drowsiness / hangover rolls in. But why should you let that stop you? Drink up (responsibly…)!
