With summertime, comes relaxation and fun. Wouldn’t it also be great if we could keep our brains active and fresh? Keeping the mind healthy is a big part of being healthy overall. The following are ideas students, and everyone, can try!

1. Physical Activity. Staying physically active is one of the best ways to keep the neurons in the brain working at their optimum level. Have you ever tried to figure out a problem to no avail, then go on a bike ride or run, then suddenly the solution comes to you? This isn’t a coincidence. The brain works very well when the body is active. If you’re running low on time, even 10 minutes of moderate-level activity is beneficial and worth the time. This summer, try an activity that’s new to you like rollerblading or swimming. You may even find your new, favorite thing to do this way.

2. Reading. The brain engages in many different ways when reading. Reading is one of the best ways to learn concentration and to help with attention span. By allowing ourselves to fully commit to what it is we’re reading, we’re training the brain to improve on these things. Another great byproduct of reading is improvement of grammar and spelling. Without even trying, our subconscious is learning the proper way to write and speak the English language. A third great reason to read is that it opens our imagination to different worlds we can’t experience otherwise.

3. Summer Practice. Students know what it’s like to forget all the great material they’ve learned over the course of the year, especially in subjects that were a bit more challenging for them. A great way to not lose all the information that was obtained (with so much hard work) is to try problems for just 20 minutes a week on that topic. That’s really just a tiny part of a week, but so helpful. On the Resources tab of A+ Math Tutoring’s website, Summer Math Packets like these can be found.

4. Cards and Board Games. Card games, especially ones that make you think and make decisions, help the brain stay active and possibly develop further. There are also many board games out there that challenge us and allow us to interact with others while getting smarter! Interacting with others is great for our brains as well.

5. Playing an instrument. Have you always wanted to learn an instrument, but perhaps don’t have time during the school year? The summer months are a great time for this. Playing, and learning, music are great ways to further develop the brain and learn to retain information.

6. Healthy Food. Diet plays a big role in the health of our brain and how it functions. In general, what’s healthy for your body, is equally healthy for your brain. Foods with high Omega 3’s and berries are among the best.

7. Sleep, Sun. Summer is your chance to catch up on all that sleep you may have missed, so take advantage of it! Just be sure to get outside once you’re awake and get some Vitamin D and exercise.