You know how the saying goes: April showers bring May flowers. However, April showers can also bring long, gray days when you’re trapped inside the house, and after one of the rainiest winters on record, no one wants any more of those. Luckily, our staff writers have all figured out how to beat rainy day boredom—here’s their advice.

I sleep in bed for probably more than is considered healthy for a person. I don't know what is is about the rain that makes it so soothing, but I'm pretty sure it's hypnotic. Although the adventurous side of me would love to sprint across the slippery grass in the warm summer rain, another part of me just wants to cuddle up in a fuzzy blanket on the couch and simply look outside. -Tiffany Cespedes

I take a nice, warm shower and get myself all relaxed, wrap a towel around my hair, get into some comfy and oversized clothes and peacefully sip my coffee like I don't have a care in the world. -Ameerah Dada

Make sure to put on a classic raincoat and galoshes combo, paired with a clear umbrella, maybe even a bucket hat. Then, head out when it’s still drizzling and meet up with a friend. You can walk around the city together, headed nowhere in particular, and maybe head inside for coffee and tea when the rain gets to be too much. Sit by the window, people watching and talking. Look at all the dogs that pass by and try and name them. Have an existential crisis or two. Go to a bookstore and pick up random novels and reading whatever page you open up, or head to an antique shop and make up stories as to how pieces ended up there. And once the day comes to an end, head your separate ways and sleep to the sounds of rain hitting your roof and laughter still echoing in your head. -Mariella Murillo

I would definitely NOT go outside because I HATE going inside of a dry area all weak and feeling soggy. It's just so disgusting and makes me feel uncomfortable. There isn't really any place I go in the rain except the mall. The mall is the only place I'd be happy to go to on a rainy day. -Gabrielle Bolden

Is there a word for raindrops pattering down a window? I'm not sure, but what better time to look for one than while watching the rain slide down the window of an MBTA car? A rainy day is the perfect time to take all of the MBTA lines while searching for words to describe these experiences. Is there a word for the surreal experiences caused by rain? For the inspiration that the pluvial weather causes? I suggest reading a large book of foreign poetry to compete with the kid on the red line who likes to read about astrophysics on a rainy day. Before they get off, ask them for their favorite astrophysics fact, then respond with your favorite poetic line about the rain. Make sure to slip in the word “petrichor,” the smell of rain on grass, to make sure they know you're a free spirit. When they leave, stare picturesquely out the window and ponder the fleetingness of human connections, as fragile as drops of rain on an MBTA window. -Masha Leyfer

I'm really into a show on Netflix called “Lucifer.” Watching that while the gray light hits the window while I can hear the rain and wind is like heaven for me. “Lucifer” is not too loud and not too quiet; it has just the right amount of suspense and action in it to be relaxing and exciting at the same time. -Ameerah Dada

My ideal rainy day situation is to cuddle with my boo and watch TV, and maybe take a stroll along the Charles River. -Amy Aguilar    

My ideal way to spend a rainy Boston afternoon is to wander the city in search of the perfect spot to sulk.  Shady trees, in the glow of convenient street lights, even just in the middle of Copley. I will stand, eyes down, fists clenched, rain flowing through my freshly gelled hair, down my face, eventually becoming lost in the sea of my tears. I use the dark energies gathered by my rain-soaked brood sessions to conjure up the most powerful, most legendary, dare I say even most life-changing of... bad puns. Then I get Shake Shack and read. -Jacob Downey

Suppose you want to impress your date tonight. Red roses are the go to on a date night. You’re nervous, hands are clammy, your hair keeps sticking up in odd places and you KNOW you gelled it down. You have thirty minutes until you’re supposed to be at your dinner location. But first—flowers. 

Stepping into the flower shop, plants are blooming in unexpected places. 

The walls, floors and even the door has plants curling around it. Hurrying up to the florist, you ask “Can I have a bouquet of red roses?”

But why red roses? Why not blue hydrangeas, her favorite color? Red roses are widely known as the “symbol of love” around the world. Every year on Valentine’s Day, convenience stores are a violent shade of red, red roses are printed on cardboard boxes.

Victorians are the ones who originally hosted the flower exchange party, the OG’s. In Victorian era Britain (1837-1901—the years that Victoria was Queen), bouquets with various plants held meaning, and so one who had romantic inclination toward another would send a bouquet, expecting one in return with a response. Let's have a moment of silence for those who never got a response, a harsh left on read at 5:49 p.m. Bouquets weren’t limited to romance though—enemies would send each other bouquets full of basil to signify their hate for each other. Yellow roses, are arguably a powerful flower, meaning infidelity. Imagine the horror of being sent a yellow bursting bouquet from your partner! Unfortunate. So this spring, head to your local flower shop, smell the flowers, prance past the red petals and give a unique bouquet to your mom, dad, dog and friend (if they aren’t allergic).

Agapanthus: love letter
This flower, native to South Africa, is defined as “love letter.” Its name is derived from the Greek term agap, which means love, and anthos, meaning flower. A pretty blue color, use this flower when writing a love letter, and press it into the pages for a unique touch. 

Poinsettia: be of good cheer
A classic christmas flower, named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, who brought the flower from Mexico in 1828, this flower is the epitome of christmas. I vaguely remember learning how to perfect painting a red poinsettia back in elementary school, and hanging mine on the student artwork board, one of my proudest moments. You don’t have to wait till christmas to break out this flower—gift it to someone who needs a smile.

Purple Hyacinth: please forgive me
 The namesake of this flower is after Hyacinthus, a pretty young spartan prince, who was both adored by Apollo, the sun god and Zephyr, the wind god. Zephyr spotted Apollo and Hyacinthus having a game of discus, and in his jealous rage, blew the discus back, and it then striked Hyacinthus at the head, killing him. Out of his blood, the first hyacinth flower grew. Gift this flower to one who you’ve wronged, in hopes of forgiveness. 

Heather: protection  
The only reason why I chose to discuss this flower is because of the movie, Heathers. A favorite movie of mine, if someone told me to guess this flower’s meaning I would’ve said “revenge” or “regret,” as Heather Duke becomes the new clique leader. Aside from the movie, this flower, I assume, should ward off the evil eye, or keep one in good health from illness. You could also use this flower to say “I will protect you,” or “I ask for protection.” 

Myrtle: love
If you’ve read the “Harry Potter” series, you obviously know who Moaning Myrtle is. Killed by a Basilisk in the series, she lives as an immortal ghost in an abandoned bathroom, wailing and crying her eyes out. Desperate to be emphasized and loved, she floats throughout the castle, spreading gossip. Apart from morose “Harry Potter” characters, this flower carries a simple meaning, and is synonymous with a red rose. It isn’t as well known, but if you want a subtle way to say “I love you,” add some myrtle to your bouquet.