Summertime Boredom: Local Activities can Liven Your Life

by Kerri Cooke

The summer often provides people with extra time in their schedules. But what do you do with those extra minutes or hours? July celebrates Anti-Boredom Month, so find a new hobby or pursue an old interest to keep your productive juices flowing.

— FOOD —

Cooking is a beneficial activity because everyone needs to eat. And learning how to incorporate whole grains and fruits and vegetables into your diet will help keep you and your family in optimum health. You can always run over to Grandma’s house to learn how she turns out that perfect roux every time. After all, in Louisiana, food is a big deal and family and friends bond over tasty meals. But if you don’t have a relative to teach you the ins and outs of the kitchen, there are various classes in SWLA you can attend.
If you love cooking or your cooking skills could use some finetuning, SOWELA Technical College offers a Cooking Bootcamp for only $50. The bootcamp consists of 120 hours of learning. Discover the proper methods of cooking meat, learn how to cook for vegetarians, explore food presentation and understand how to use kitchen equipment safely. Restaurant menu planning and cost management are also part of the curriculum.

If you have a love for everything Italian, Pasta Lab offers classes every Saturday at 5:30 p.m. You’ll learn how to make pasta at home with a stand mixer and pasta making attachments, the best ingredients to use and what type of equipment is needed. Students roll out pasta, infuse dough, make ravioli and more. Private classes are available upon request and can focus on a variety of subjects. Children learn about chemistry through pasta making; industry groups can take a work outing; or friends can gather and make pasta just for fun.

Don’t forget baking! Baking a tasty treat can turn into an opportunity to bond with your children over summer break while indulging in an irresistibly sweet treat.

— HISTORIC RETAIL THERAPY —

Antique and vintage shopping is a pastime many adults enjoy, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t something for everyone on a thrifting trip. Every old trend eventually comes back around and with the younger generations showing nostalgia for decades past, vintage retail is enjoying a high. While you can always go shopping to find a specific item, it’s usually best to keep an open mind. Inventory is always revolving at antique and vintage stores. You never know what you might find, and that’s a big part of the fun.

Sourcing fine antique jewelry is a sure way to make sure you and your accessories stand out in a crowd. Find stunning pieces made with a variety of precious stones and metals at Frances Fitz-Gerald Jewelry and Antiques. The business also sells home goods if you’re seeking to redecorate a room or office.

Recent Relics Antiques & Collectibles offers everything from gilded mirrors and candelabras to furniture and brooches, and there’s plenty of unique items to tickle your fancy. Find vintage linens or Japanese collectibles and discover your new favorite treasure at a great price. Estate sales are another great way to find vintage items.

Love clothing but want to shop more sustainably? Muller’s Vintage sells pre-owned vintage clothing from many different decades. Because there are a variety of vendors, you might find anything from a leather jacket to a quirky ‘80s print jumpsuit. A limited selection of vintage jewelry and home goods are also available. Occasionally on weekends, Muller’s Vintage sells inventory collected from a recent estate sale.

— HEALTH & WELLNESS THROUGH MOVEMENT —

A great way to spend some extra downtime is to get your body moving. Yoga, Pilates and dance are great ways to have fun, get in shape and burn some calories.
Yoga is beneficial on many levels and is often recommended especially for those who struggle with emotional regulation. The practice lowers anxiety, increases strength and flexibility, helps manage stress and induces better sleep.

Edgemont Healing Center provides services to help better clients mentally, physically and spiritually. The center hosts various instructors who offer yoga classes, sound immersion, meditation, massage and art and writing workshops.
Yoga Y’all is a great place for those new to yoga. The business is a registered yoga school and offers daily beginner classes. Yoga practices offered include Ashtanga, vinyasa, yin and slow flow.

HOTWORX offers a variety of workouts including yoga and Pilates while utilizing infrared heat absorption. Workouts, consisting of either 15- or 30-minute intervals, are conducted by virtual instructors. The facility is a sauna which helps detox the body through the heat in the room and the movement of the body through exercise.
Prefer Pilates over yoga? Pilates is a low-impact strength training regime which boosts flexibility, spine stability and core strength. Sessions can be tailored to individuals, whether going through physical therapy or looking to increase muscle tone.
Club Pilates is a new studio in town which offers nine different classes at four different difficulty levels. Classes consist of 30-minute intervals with an instructor. Expect a full-body workout with a focus on helping you feel your best.

Project Fit also offers Pilates reformers sessions, which utilize the power of a machine rather than a simple mat. A reformer provides extra resistance to muscle groups. For Pilates beginners it’s best to start off simple with a mat until
strength is built up.

Dancing classes stimulate both the mind and the body. Learn how to move beautifully and with ease while burning calories and getting in shape.
Immerse yourself in Cajun culture by attending dancing classes hosted by the Cajun French Music Association (CFMA). The lessons take place at the Cajun French Music Association Hall on a regular basis. Free dancing lessons take place at general meetings in addition to good food and lively music. Get ready to two-step with a lively partner!

Jazzercise was a popular method of exercise in the ‘80s, and interest in the workout has skyrocketed in recent years. Jazzercise is fun and burns a ton of calories in a short amount of time. Sculpt classes focus on strength training while Cardio Sculpt consists of high-intensity dancing. Power Sculpt mixes cardio dancing with strength training and toning.

Zumba of Lake Charles offers classes inspired by Latin American dance and is a great method of cardio training. Have fun with energizing music and a small group of like-minded individuals.

— FUN & GAMES —

To maintain a balanced life, stimulate both your body and your mind. Trivia Nights are a fun way to challenge your knowledge, learn more about the world and socialize with others. A little friendly competition never hurt anyone either. As an added benefit, your brain releases dopamine every time you answer a question correctly.

Engage in brain teasers and enjoy some good food and drink every Tuesday night at McFarland’s Celtic Pub, 7:00 p.m. Crying Eagle Brewing hosts a trivia night on Tuesdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Rikenjaks Brewing Company holds a trivia night with Geeks Who Drink every Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. Trivia themes can range anywhere from general pop culture to Games of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, or Schitt’s Creek nights.

For those who like to sing, karaoke is a fun pastime offered by numerous local bars. Karaoke originated in Japan and is especially widespread in Asia. This activity boosts mental and emotional health and helps relieve stress. A decent karaoke session can also increase memory retention, improve creativity and increase listening skills.

Frosty Factory offers karaoke Thursdays through Saturdays, The Spot hosts karaoke with DJ Rooster every Sunday night, and The Social Club has Friday night karaoke with DJ Rooster from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Karaoke is for everyone, whether you have the voice of an angel or struggle to hold a note.

Learning or engaging in a new skill provides a healthy addition to our lives. Whether you take some of the suggestions above, join a book club, learn a new language or play an instrument, there are plenty of ways to have fun (and eliminate boredom) this summer!