A couple of times a quarter, you just need to skip class a.k.a. taking a mental health day. You can go outside, breathe the fresh air and get some exercise. Bellingham is such a great place to take a mental health day. Here are some things to do and places to go, when campus isn't an option.
1. Hammock and chill.
Self-explanatory. Things you'll need: comfortable footwear, food, beer, blankets and a good book or some rad music. Boulevard Park or Sehome Arboretum are great locations.
2. Bellingham antique and thrift stores.
It's a treasure trove of random vintage things! Last time, I found a racist doll. Penny Lane is a crowd favorite. As for thrifting, Habitat for Humanity is a great choice and supports a great cause.
Oh, racism...
3. Explore Fairhaven.
Village Books is in the running to be one of the Bookstores of the Year while Fairhaven is the epitome of charming. Coincidence? Grab a latte, try some olive oil (cause why not?) and head to Marine Park. Remember to Instagram all the brick buildings because if you don't IG it, did it really happen?
4. Run errands that have nothing to do with school.
While you are shirking your responsibilities as a student, you can still get other things done. Like mailing that really important thing from like five months ago that's been sitting on your desk collecting dust. You probably don't even remember what it was! It'll feel productive, reduce your stress, and if you don't want to see people, it's a great excuse... "Sorry! Can't! I'm just running errands today, it'll be SO boring."
5. Treat yo self.
Be a Donna Meagle or a Tom Haverford today. You do you, baby. Buy those Birkenstocks, try that non-GMO, organic, non-binary new restaurant in town.
6. Drive to Canada and explore White Rock.
It's only a 40-minute drive across the border to White Rock. Like Boulevard Park on steroids, this city also boasts fish and chips rivaling our sweet Fairhaven Fish & Chips bus, the drinking age is 19 and there really is ONE white rock.
7. Go hiking.
Bellinghamsters are proud of hiking, dammit. Oyster Dome and Fragrance Lake are iconic around here. If not, there are tons of interurban trails connecting the city.
8. Get naked at the beach...or don't.
IT'S A NUDE BEACH! If it's bright and sunny, people might be nude. Just a heads up. Also, it's not completely legal. Drive down Chuckanut 25-ish minutes and use ropes to scale down a steep hill. There are benches and areas for bonfires. Remember to leave no trace. Don't be that person.
9. Day drink at local breweries.
Bellingham is the snobbiest beer city in the country. Take advantage of it. Try out the beers listed on the Bellingham Beer Trail. I'm going to try and finish the trail in one day, but more on that later.
10. Or you could always just watch Netflix and become a couch potato.
Just stay in your pajamas and don't shower. Things you'll need: snacks, drinks, maybe even a portable urinal because the couch is your home now.
