Activities to Keep Your Brain Active This Summer 

Things to do when you wanna stop (doom) scrolling. 

Your exams are finally over, and the school year is done. It’s time to relax, unwind and enjoy the warm weather and free time.  

Sitting in bed on your phone scrolling through Instagram or TikTok may be a good way to unwind for you but sometimes that much screen time can be a bit overstimulating. We asked 1000 of you what you would be doing these school holidays/semester break and a huge majority of you (57.5 per cent) said you’d be enjoying some down time.  

Not to worry, we’ve got plenty of things you can try this summer to help you relax and not overwhelm your brain. 

Learn a new hobby. 

Learning a new hobby or skill is a great way to spend time when you’re bored and sitting at home with nothing to do. You can do something simple and creative like painting, drawing, knitting or crocheting. It can seem a bit daunting at first, but there are plenty of free tutorials online and you can also check out Skillshare, a platform that offers courses specifically for beginners. 

You could also try to learn something more complicated like an instrument or a new language if you want to challenge yourself. Duolingo is a great platform for learning a new language with daily goals to keep you motivated. 

Read or listen to an audio book. 

Be honest – when was the last time you read a book that wasn’t for school? Reading doesn’t have to feel like a chore and if it feels like you can’t hold keep reading a book for very long, you can check out plenty of recommendations on TikTok through the hashtag #BookTok.  

Otherwise, you can do a bit of research into genres you enjoy, and you’ll be sure to find something that interests you or head into your local bookstore or library and have a browse. And if reading an actual book yourself isn’t your thing, you could always give an audiobook a go. 

Go for a bike ride or hike. 

Going for a walk by yourself, with family, friends or your partner is a great way to destress and get a bit of exercise in. You can look up different hiking paths that suit your skill level. Another easy way to destress with a bit of cardio is going for a bike ride. 

Especially in the summer months, getting outside in the fresh air is a great way to improve your mood and help you feel more relaxed.  

Hang out with friends. 

There’s nothing better than spending a long day or night with your friends. Check out a movie (plus get $12.50 movie tickets with our HOYTS deal), go to the beach, check out summer markets that are happening in your area, go to a concert, or you could go for a picnic – the possibilities are endless. 

Start journalling. 

Journalling can help you relax, unwind and even help you learn more about yourself. It can be as simple as writing about your day, writing about your favourite movie or TV show, writing about something that made you feel upset or angry.   

If you’re unsure how to start journalling, try following journalling prompts like:  

• What life lessons, advice, or habits have you picked up from fiction books? 

• What is a positive habit that you would really like to do? Why and how could you get started? 

• What is a view about the world that has changed for you as you’ve gotten older? 

• What would you do if you could stop time for two months? 

Try out some of these summer activities if you’re looking for a way to keep your mind sharp this summer, explore some new interests and make the most of the season. 

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