It’s summertime!  All during the long Fall and Winter of working and studying and keeping a rigid schedule, we daydream about the beach and sleeping in.  The joys of not having to dart to class, work on homework and study for exams is fast approaching.

 

And while we all need some rest, relaxation and fun, we need to have some fun outlets for keeping our brains active and in shape, so when we return to class, we are ready to learn.  These should be fun, so they don’t feel like work, and you will enjoy and look forward to them.

 

Here are some fun ways to keep your brain active during the summer months.

 

Reading

Read a book or two.  There is nothing more relaxing and enjoyable than laying on the beach or by the pool with a great book.  You can even start a series.  Reading stimulates your brain and expands your vocabulary.  It helps with critical thinking as you try to put the story together and think ahead to what might happen.

Get A Job

Take on a summer job or internship.  Try to apply for something that is fun for you or an area you are interested in studying.  During the summer months, there are many internships available both paid and unpaid. This can be a great time to try out different types of jobs that can help shape your future studies and career path.  If this defeats the purpose of “your summer” being a lifeguard is a great summer job that allows you to soak up the sun while getting paid.

Travel

Don’t stay in the house all day sleeping in; there is a whole world out there to explore!  If you can’t afford to travel, start in your own city. There are many cool things to see and historic buildings and tours in each state that you have never seen.

Puzzles

Try out some puzzles for extra brain stimulation.  Word puzzles, sudoku and things like that done daily are great to keep your mind agile.  Even playing board games with your friends and family on rainy days can be extra fun. Try to limit the use your computers and phones for puzzle apps.  There are plenty of fun games you can play with other people.

 

Exercise

Regular exercise is great for not only your body but also your mind.  Go to the gym take a class and meet some new people. Better yet, get outside and go hiking to explore your town.  Try different sports that you haven’t tried before. At your local parks, there are often impromptu games of basketball, soccer, volleyball, etc.  Swimming is a great way to meet new people and get some great cardio while you’re at it.

Take A Class

If you have free time on your hands, take a local class that interests you.  There are tons of fantastic art classes that run short programs but will allow you to express your creative side.  You could even take the time to learn or practice another language. If you were struggling with any classes this past school year, you could also hire a tutor or friend to help get you caught up, so you will be ahead next year.

Try A Day Camp

Day camps are tons of fun.  Many different programs will enrich your summer and help you have the best summer ever.  There are so many types of camps to choose from. There are sports camps, art camps, even fashion and styling camps.  If you can’t pick just one, many offer various classes so that you can try a little bit of everything.

 

Music

If you have never tried to play a musical instrument but have always wanted to try, the summertime is a great time to try.  You can take a beginner guitar or piano class. If you have a friend or family member that plays, you can practice with them or even have them teach you.

 

Volunteer

Getting out and making a difference in your community is very important for your growth and development.  There are many local not for profits in your community that are making differences in the lives of people and animals.  Find something you’re passionate about and see how you can contribute. If you have any unique skills like social media, sales or just great with people, this can be a great asset to the organizations.

This summer enjoy yourself, and you might learn something while having fun!

 

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June 14, 2018