Puzzle games range from traditional sudoku and crossword puzzles to specialized brain training apps. These games are used by people of all ages to improve mental performance and prevent brain aging. While research suggests the link between brain training games and improved cognitive function is unclear, brain training can help you improve your memory, response time, and reasoning skills. If you want to exercise your brain while having fun, try these games and exercises as they can help improve your mental focus and fitness:
1. Sudoku
Sudoku is a short-term memory-based number placement game. You have to think ahead and follow chains of consequences to complete a Sudoku puzzle – if you put a 6 in this box, it must be an 8 and this one a 4, and so on. This type of planning helps in the development of short-term memory and concentration. Sudoku is a puzzle game that can be played online, through an app, or in print. Search your journal for a Sudoku puzzle, get a puzzle book, or download a free app for your phone or tablet.
2. Brightness
Lumosity software is based on cognitive science research that shows that doing various brain workouts can improve memory and mental capacity. When you first start the program, it will assess you in various areas before creating a 15 minute daily workout plan to follow. The basic software is free, but if you want more options you can pay for a subscription which gives you access to other activities.
3. Crossword
Crosswords are a proven brain exercise, requiring not only spoken language, but also the memory of other aspects of knowledge. Crosswords can be completed in a number of ways, both online and offline. A crossword puzzle is usually always included in a daily journal. Alternatively, you can purchase a crossword puzzle book suited to your ability level and interests.
4. Scrabble
Scrabble is a word board game that is popular all over the world. Not only is the game fun to play, it is known to sharpen your mind as the games involve the use of vocabulary. Plus, the healthy competition in Scrabble makes the game really fun. Scrabble tests your vocabulary and your vision of the board as you have to combine the word tiles you have available to create words and at the same time sabotage your opponent’s movements.
People who are new and have a hard time with Scrabble use Word Unscrambler to help them with the game. It is a fun board game to play where your memory and problem solving skills are put to the test, which ultimately sharpens your mind. Since Scrabble Word Finder is so popular and fun to play, it even has an online game called Words with Friends inspired by it that can be played on both mobile phones and PC.
5. Peak
Peak is another app-only alternative that offers brain games to help you improve your attention, memory, problem-solving skills, mental agility, and other cognitive skills. If you’re the competitive type, knowing how you stack up against other users can encourage you. The software is free, but a small monthly subscription unlocks additional features.
6. Braingle
Braingle’s free website claims to feature the world’s largest puzzle collection, with over 15,000 puzzles, games and other puzzles as well as an online community of fans. To give your brain a good exercise, you can even create your own puzzles. Optical illusions, codes and numbers, and trivia tests are just a few of Braingle’s offerings.
7. Happy neuron
Memory, attention, language, executive functions, and vision / space are the five brain regions into which Happy Neuron divides its games and activities. Much like Lumosity, it customizes training to suit your needs, tracks your progress, and creates games based on scientific research. Happy Neuron, meanwhile, offers a free trial to see if you like the method.
Cell phones are ideal for this as the sessions are often short and can be performed anywhere, and they do not require any specific input devices. Why not do something that will make you smarter while you are looking at your computer screen?
Several academics have experimented with using “gamification” to make learning and training more enjoyable, and the results can be found all over the App Store. While some fear that our reliance on technology will weaken us, others believe that we can use our mental capacities to our advantage.
