RIDE!
The risk and thrill of extreme sports can trigger euphoria. A safer, easier substitute is the roller coaster. At Elitch’s, the Flying Coaster sends you into flight, looping and twisting, diving and climbing the coaster’s track. Nostalgia buffs love the Twister II, saying it’s almost as good as the old wooden Mister Twister from the original Elitch Gardens. And it still has the cool turn where you get a great view of the city before the steep drop.
EAT!
Indulgent tastes of happiness abound, but none surpasses Denver’s own Duffeyroll: cinnamon, sugar, butter all rolled up into bites of bliss.
PEDAL!
Exercise ups endorphins, the body’s natural mood-boosting drug. Double your happiness by renting a bicycle built for two at Tandem Cycle Works (1080 S. Gaylord St.) and cruise through the beauty of nearby Washington Park. Pack a picnic lunch, feed the ducks, or catch one of the summer evening concerts for extra joy.
SHOP!
Sun, fresh air and a sense of community with people schmoozing al fresco: for the joy of shopping, outdoor malls have it all. Try Belmar shopping district in Lakewood, where you can buy art at places like A++ and the Metropolitan Museum of Art Store, the only one of its kind in Colorado. Try on shoes at Aldo, clothes at American Apparel, and then bowl a few lines at Lucky Strike Lanes.
THINK!
Meditating on the deeper meaning of life helps develop long-term happiness. Where better to reflect than out in nature at places holy to the ancient peoples? Colorado abounds in sacred sites believed by indigenous ancestors to connect humans with the divine. Like Blanca Peak in the Sangre de Cristo Range, considered by many tribes to be the heart of Mother Earth, the birthplace of all humanity.
VOLUNTEER!
People who do volunteer work have a greater sense of well being than those who don’t, according to scientific studies. Community service is especially helpful for a happy life.
currently lists 563 opportunities in the Denver area, from garden volunteer to aquarium guide.
