Tech Tools to help you Stay Sharp Over Summer Break
You've worked hard in the classroom all year and now it's finally time for a well-deserved summer break. Although the idea of doing absolutely nothing that involves working out your brain over the break sounds fantastic, we all know what a pain it can be to return to school after a summer of loafing.
If you would prefer not to take up summer classes, there are tools available to help you incorporate brain health exercises into your regular routine over the summer. Here are four ways you can use apps, wearables, and online tools to keep your brain sharp over the summer.
1.Fitness Trackers
Like the rest of the muscles in your body, your brain requires consistent physical activity for optimal function. According to several studies, just 20 minutes of exercise a day facilitates information processing and memory function.
One of the best ways to keep up on your fitness routine over the summer is to track it. If you don't have one yet, it's definitely worth considering looking into your options for wearable fitness trackers. FitBits seem to be the most popular option among millennials today, but there are lots of great options in different price ranges. Wareable.com has put together a solid guide to help you get a feel for the fitness tracker market.
2.Brain Games
One of the best ways to keep your brain in shape over the summer is to engage in mentally stimulating activities on a regular basis. If you're not a big fan of reading in your free time, one of the simplest and most fun ways to do this is to play a brain game a day.
Brain games are specifically designed to help users train different areas of the brain. There are lots of online options for free brain games. Brain games like this one by Neuronation provide multiple platforms that allow you to train your brain for different strengths like reasoning, memory, and perception.
3.Nutrition planners
The food you eat affects your brain functionality more than you may think. Your nutrition has a pretty big impact on your mood and your ability to concentrate. If your plan is to binge on junk food all summer, you might want to think twice.
Foods that are high in Omega-3 fatty acids are fantastic for brain function. You can find them in foods like salmon, olive oil, and avocados. According to Harvard Health, 95% of your serotonin is produced in your gut, so focusing on foods with probiotics can also help balance out your moods.
To stay on top of foods for healthy brain function, you can look into nutrition tracking apps and diet programs created specifically for brain function. Lose It is a fantastic option that allows you to set goals for specific food intake.
4.Sleep Tracking Tech
One of the most important things you should do to support brain health is make sure you are getting quality sleep. Studies show that when humans fail to get enough sleep, concentration, coordination, memory, and mood suffer. This is because sufficient sleep is vital to nervous system function.
Sleep Cycle is a popular iOS app that tracks your sleeping patterns to help you track the quality of your sleep. Once it's picked up on your sleeping habits throughout the first night, it can also act as your alarm clock to wake you up at the best possible time according to your sleep cycle.
Hopefully the tips and tech tools listed here will help you keep your brain sharp over the summer and have you ready to start back up at school in the fall. If you've found additional tips that have helped you out over past summer breaks, please share them with other readers in the comments below!
