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25 ways to spend these summer months without NBA basketball

By Matt Rutkowski

Jul 17, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; The Portland Trail Blazers pose for photos after winning the NBA Summer League Championship game by defeating the New York Knicks 85-77 at Thomas & Mack Center. Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 17, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; The Portland Trail Blazers pose for photos after winning the NBA Summer League Championship game by defeating the New York Knicks 85-77 at Thomas & Mack Center. Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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Demetrius Napolitano in his Harlem, N.Y. apartment. Demetrius Napolitano was 5 when he moved into what would become his adoptive home. He told USA TODAY he was removed from that home at 13 amid allegations of abuse. Hurting, angry, the New York teen cycled through 25 foster care placements and five high schools until he aged out of the system. Now 27 years-old, Napolitano is launching ‘Fostering Meditation,’ a nonprofit organization to help youth in foster care heal from past trauma and adverse life experiencesXxx Broken Adoptions 049 Jpg A Fea Usa Ny
Demetrius Napolitano in his Harlem, N.Y. apartment. Demetrius Napolitano was 5 when he moved into what would become his adoptive home. He told USA TODAY he was removed from that home at 13 amid allegations of abuse. Hurting, angry, the New York teen cycled through 25 foster care placements and five high schools until he aged out of the system. Now 27 years-old, Napolitano is launching ‘Fostering Meditation,’ a nonprofit organization to help youth in foster care heal from past trauma and adverse life experiencesXxx Broken Adoptions 049 Jpg A Fea Usa Ny /

6. Meditate

I’ve had multiple therapists recommend this to me in times of distress. It did seem kind of silly when first presented. Like, “Dude, I am having an extremely rough time right now, and I need help with this. What is meditation going to do for me?” It didn’t seem like forward progress, it just seemed like a thing to distract me.

Well, that’s kind of what we’re going for here. And honestly, when I’ve done it it’s kind of done more than just make minutes elapse, so maybe it’s not actually a useless idea. If the alternative is sitting in misery, staring at your phone looking for Twitter alerts, then maybe meditation is worth a go.

So instead of looking for something to fill the time, instead it’s time to pursue nothing. Find a quiet space. Become comfortable. Keep distracting things away from you, like TVs, laptops, and cats. Push the thoughts out of your mind. Try to find a place in your head where you can be alone.

Now try to stay there. Don’t force it. If a thought comes through, that’s not a mistake. Let it in, then let it out.

And stuff.

I don’t know. I’m not good at this either.

There is a shortcut though. Various websites, videos, and apps have guided meditation you can listen to if your brain won’t just shut up on its own. They have different topics and times, and you can find one that will fit into your day pretty easily with a little searching. Give it a shot. What’s the worst that could happen?

Well, the worst thing, as one of my therapists told me, is to do it in your car and then fall asleep. Don’t do that.

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