With summer now here, keeping to healthy routines can be tricky as thoughts turn to preparing for holidays or how to entertain the children while they are not at school. 

That’s why over the next six weeks, we’ll be sharing simple activities to help support your brain health. Week one is all about getting outside and enjoying the Great British weather, come rain or shine. 

 

Why is it important to be physically active? 

Keeping physically active isn’t only beneficial for your physical and mental health but it’s also important for your brain health. It helps keep blood flowing to the brain, delivering oxygen and essential nutrients to support brain cells. 

For many people, especially during the summer holidays, going to the gym or heading out for a run isn’t always realistic – whether due to time, cost, childcare, or health conditions. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to stay active, and the key is finding what works for you and what you enjoy. 

This week, why not try building a little more movement into your day? Here are some ideas to get you started.

 

Three ideas to try 

1. Walking and getting out in nature 

Walking is one of the simplest ways to get moving. It’s low impact, free, and can be enjoyed whether you’re in your local area or away on holiday. There are many ways to make more out of your simple stroll: 

• Turn it into a photography walk: It’s easy to go on autopilot in familiar surroundings, so challenge yourself to notice and capture interesting sights – like a striking tree or a colourful mural. If you’re somewhere new, it’s a great way to explore and remember your trip. You could even create a holiday photography bingo sheet to make it more fun. 

• Make it engaging for children: Try a colour walk – pick a colour and see how many things you can spot. Or bring along some tape and make a sticky bracelet for children to decorate with wildflowers and plants you find along the way.  

• Embrace the weather: British summer weather is predictably unreliable, but don’t let that get in your way. Grab your wellies and a waterproof coat and head out in the rain on a welly walk! Children (young and old) often enjoy splashing in puddles after all! 

 

2. Dance 

If the weather isn’t on your side, or walking isn’t accessible, why not have a dance party at home? 

Dancing is a fantastic way to get moving. It requires very little equipment and can be adapted for any age or ability. Invite your friends or loved ones over, create a playlist of songs from your favourite decade (or take turns picking songs from your favourite films) and get your body moving. It’s a great way to boost your mood, relieve stress, and enjoy some time together in a relaxed, pressure-free way. 

If freestyle isn’t your thing, there are plenty of tutorials on YouTube – from chair-based movement to full routines – so there’s something for everyone. Just search for your preferred style, favourite music, and how much time you have available – for example, “15-minute 90s dance tutorial”.

 

3. Have your own “summer of sport” 

With so many exciting sporting events taking place this summer, why not take some inspiration and create your own “summer of sport”? 

For adults, this could be as simple as joining a local sports club, trying a new fitness class or parkrun, or setting personal challenges – like increasing your step count or training for a fun run. You could even join one of our Walk For a Cure events: these five-kilometre walks are a fantastic opportunity to meet new people, remember loved ones and raise money for dementia research, all while spending time getting some movement in, in the fresh air. 

For families, why not bring the energy home by turning your garden or a nearby green space into your own mini Commonwealth Games? 

Incorporate everyday items to your races like books to test your balance, eggs-and-spoons for coordination, scarves for three-legged races and even balloons that have to be kept in the air. With a bit of creativity, these simple objects can transform any space into an exciting, active course that gets everyone involved. 

 

If you’ve found this helpful, why not share it with your family and friends or tag us on social media? We’d love to see what you try.  

Getting more active this summer is just one way you can look after your brain health and start to build healthy habits that last a lifetime. 

Next week we’ll be sharing some delicious recipes for a weeknight summer evening that aren’t only delicious but good for your brain health too. 

If you would like to discover other ways to look after your brain health, then why not take the Think Brain Health Check-in today? Think Brain Health – Think Brain Health – Alzheimer’s Research UK