Your brain needs a little TLC as much as the rest of your body, and summer is the perfect time to focus on your brain health. You could start a new project whether it’s work-related, educational, creative, or even physical. Your brain is at its most healthy when it’s being stimulated, so treat it something new this summer. Even when you’re relaxing on vacation you could pick up a more challenging read or boost your problem-solving skills by playing games. There are plenty of fun ways to boost your brain health that don’t necessarily have to be taxing. The key is to choose the right activity for you. Here are ten ideas to give you inspiration.
1. Stay Hydrated
Summer comes with fun outdoor activities and blazing heat. Although summer is the perfect time to take a stroll at the beach, visit parks, and play sports, it’s also the season to prioritize your hydration. With the hot and humid weather, your body loses more fluids through sweat. When you’re dehydrated, your brain is less likely to function well, be less alert, and be less creative.
Ideally, try to drink about two and a half liters of water daily during warmer months. Coconut water and low-calorie sports drinks are other excellent options if you’re looking to spice up your fluid consumption.
Lastly, stay away from beverages that may put you at risk of dehydration, such as carbonated drinks and coffee.
2. Hit The Books
Never stop learning. Why not pursue an educational or professional development opportunity? Perhaps there’s a subject you’ve always wanted to study but never got around to it. Now that summer is here, it’s as good a time as any to make a plan. You could study an online mha or speak to your employer about training courses. These types of qualifications will open doors for you in the future as well as keeping your brain stimulated.
3. Learn A Language
If you’re traveling abroad this summer why not consider picking up a few local phrases? Learning languages later in life can be very beneficial as it could improve your cognitive functions such as memory. If you want your brain to stay healthy in your senior years, you could consider studying a new language. It’s a good skill to have and will open your mind up to new cultures and ideas.
After all, learning a new language helps your brain boost your intelligence quotient (IQ) levels. Since you’re discovering another language that your brain isn’t used to, the activity accesses both sides of your brain and even trains it to reroute around weaker areas.
If you’re looking to improve your IQ levels through learning a language, identify different intelligence quotient ranges first and answer an IQ test to help monitor your improvement.
4. Plenty Of Fresh Fish
Research has often shown a link between brain health and fish. What better time of year to eat plenty of fresh fish? You could go to the local fish market and grill up some at a BBQ. If you’re traveling to the coast, don’t forget to sample the local catch of the day. Most fish contain omega-3 fatty acids which are great for your brain. It’s also a good source of lean protein. You may try out some new recipes at home or treat yourself to a seafood platter on the beach. To supercharge your diet even more, you can prepare meals and snacks containing the following brain-friendly foods:
- Blueberries
- Broccoli
- Nuts and seeds
- Dark chocolate
- Avocados
- Eggs
5. Set Yourself A Project
Keep your mind occupied with a project this summer. It’s a good time of year to get outside and do some DIY. If you’ve had a home improvement project in mind for a while, now’s the time to get started. You could also do some gardening or landscaping. Focusing your mind on projects like these requires a deep level of engagement. You will also develop plenty of useful skills.
6. Lose Yourself In Nature
According to studies, getting in touch with nature is very beneficial for your overall well-being. It helps you to gain perspective, improve your mood, relax and recharge. If you’d like to make it a little more educational, you could set yourself to learn about the local flora and fauna. Try visiting a conservation area and researching different species to identify. Nature lovers are in luck as these types of activities can be great for your mental health.
7. Engage Your Creativity
Even if you don’t consider yourself the creative type there are plenty of fun projects that you can try. You could try upcycling household items into planters or other decorations. This is a particularly fun project to do with kids. You can get the whole family involved in making something together. This is a unique way to decorate your home or garden. Here are a few creative projects with kids to give you some more ideas.
8. Meet Up With Friends
Socializing is beneficial for your mental well-being and can help to reduce stress. Summer is also the perfect time of year to spend time together outdoors. Host a garden party for your friends or family, or go on a picnic. You don’t have to organize a big expensive event to have fun. Look for hiking trails near you and explore areas of natural beauty together. You could even plan a little weekend away somewhere new.
9. Boost Your Problem-Solving Skills
If you and your friends like group games and activities, you could book something that really tests your problem-solving skills, like an escape room, for instance. You can even do these virtually. You’ll have a selection of puzzles to solve and have to work together to find the solutions. Another good activity for the summer is geocaching. It’s essentially a worldwide treasure hunt. You have to look for hidden treasures by following maps and clues. It’s family-friendly and fun for kids and adults alike. You can find more information about geocaching on the official website. If you want to try a fun brain teaser on your own, try out mindfulness Solitaire to help center your thoughts while you give your brain a workout.
10. Try A New Sport Or Activity
Even though it’s challenging in the heat, stay physically active this summer. Research has shown that exercise protects your brain health. This is because it helps relieve stress, promotes healthy blood flow, improves heart health, and also enables you to develop certain skills. If you’re getting tired of the same workout routine, try out a new sport or activity. This is something fun you can do either on your own or with friends. If you go on vacation this year, try to include some sort of physical activity in your itinerary. You could try watersports or trekking, for example. It’s the perfect opportunity to be a little more adventurous and treat yourself to a day out.
Get Out Of Your Comfort Zone
The best thing for your brain health is to get out of your comfort zone and try something new. This could be anything from a new sport, different work-related projects, studying, or even meeting new people. Aim to challenge yourself this summer. You might just end up finding a new hobby or improving your skills. Even if you don’t enjoy getting out of your comfort zone at first, it can still be very beneficial. It helps you boost your self-esteem and gain a new perspective on things. If you’re feeling brave this summer, look for new challenges and experiences.
*collaborative post
