Brain games range from traditional Sudoku and crossword puzzles to specialist brain training apps. These games are used by people of all ages to boost mental performance and prevent brain aging. Although research suggests that the link between brain training games and enhanced cognitive function is unclear, brain training may help you improve your memory, response time, and reasoning abilities.
If you want to exercise your brain while having fun, try these games and exercises as these can help you enhance your mental concentration and fitness:
1. Minesweeper
In Minesweeper, the objective is to clear a grid of tiles without detonating any hidden mines, using numerical clues that indicate how many mines are adjacent to each uncovered square. The game is won when all squares without mines are uncovered, while avoiding all the hidden mines. Minesweeper is excellent for sharpening the mind as it requires logical reasoning, pattern recognition, and strategic thinking to solve, thereby enhancing cognitive skills. In addition, the addictive nature of the game makes it an entertaining and challenging puzzle suitable for players of all skill levels as it is available in beginner, intermediate, and expert modes. Try a game here.
2. Sudoku
Sudoku is a short-term memory-based number placement game. You must think forward and follow chains of consequences to finish a Sudoku puzzle—if you put a 6 in this box, that one must be an 8 and this one a 4, and so on. This kind of planning aids in the development of short-term memory and focus. Sudoku is a puzzle game that may be played online, via an app, or on paper. Look for a Sudoku puzzle in your newspaper, get a puzzle book, or download a free app for your phone or tablet.
3. Lumosity
The Lumosity software is based on cognitive science research that shows that practicing various brain workouts may improve memory and mental capacity. When you first start the program, it will assess you in a variety of areas before creating a 15-minute daily training plan for you to follow. The basic software is free, but if you want more options, you may pay for a membership that provides you access to other activities.
4. Crosswords
Crossword puzzles are a tried-and-true brain exercise, requiring not just spoken language but also memory from other aspects of knowledge. Crossword puzzles can be completed in a variety of methods, both online and offline. A crossword puzzle is usually always included in a daily newspaper. Alternatively, you may purchase a crossword puzzle book suited to your ability level and interests.
5. Scrabble
Scrabble is a word board game that is popular all over the world. Not only is the game fun to play but it is known to sharpen your mind since the games involve the use of vocabulary. Plus, the healthy competition in Scrabble makes it really fun to play. Scrabble tests your vocabulary and board vision as you have to combine word tiles that you have available to make words and at the same time, sabotage the moves of your opponent.
People who are new and struggle with Scrabble use Word Unscrambler to help them out 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 much popular and fun to play, it even has an online game called Words with Friends inspired by it which can be played on both mobile phones and PC.
6. 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 a competitive type, knowing how you compare against other users may encourage you. The software is free to use, but a small monthly fee unlocks additional capabilities.
7. Braingle
Braingle’s free website claims to feature the world’s largest collection of brain teasers, with over 15,000 puzzles, games, and other brain teasers as well as an online community of fans. To give your brain good exercise, you can even make your own puzzles. Optical illusions, codes and ciphers, and trivia tests are just a few of Braingle’s offers.
8. Happy Neuron
Memory, attention, language, executive functions, and visual/spatial are the five brain regions that Happy Neuron splits its games and activities into. It, like Lumosity, customizes the training to your needs, keeps track of your progress, and creates games based on scientific research. Happy Neuron, on the other hand, offers a free trial to determine whether you enjoy the method.
Cell phones are ideal for this since the sessions are often short and can be done anywhere, and they don’t require any specific input devices. Why not do something that will make you smarter while you’re looking at your computer screen?
Several academics have been experimenting with the use of “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 is weakening us, others believe that we can use our mental abilities for our benefit.
