Welcome to my blog! I am so glad you found us or are returning for more fun tips, info, and research on the latest fitness, nutrition, and overall health. Our goal is to provide you with the latest so you can live a happier, healthier life. Did you know that your brain is a muscle too and needs to be exercised as well? Of course you did….no really did you? So, I am going to give you my top 5 brain games to keep your mind sharp. And they are fun, which also helps. Let’s dive right in and learn something.
What are brain games?
You can actually strengthen different functions of the brain such as attention, memory, and speed with brain training exercises. Brain fitness can have positive effects on your day-to-day functioning. For instance, it helps sharpen your memory and boost your mood. Your brain is designed to physically adjust to what you’re asking it to do. Training your brain works because as you learn new things, improve your abilities, and have new experiences, your brain physically changes its plasticity. Effective brain training can have important results: it rewrites your brain, sharpens your cognitive function, makes you happier, healthier, and makes you think faster.
Crosswords
Crosswords have been around the longest and you don’t need an App, phone or any electronic device. They are a true classic brain trainer. They not only access verbal language but memory from many dimensions of knowledge. If you receive a daily newspaper, which I don’t know anyone who does anymore, but if you are the only one left that does, you’re in luck! You’ll almost always get a crossword there. Or pick up a crosswords book at the dollar tree, gas station or bookstore to specifically suite your skill level and interests.
Sudoku
This brain game is a number placement game which relies on short-term memory. To complete a Sudoku puzzle, you must look ahead and follow trails of consequences. For example, if you put a 6 in this box, that one must be an 8 and this one a 4, and so on. This type of training helps improve your short-term memory and concentration. This is one that you can play from a book, newspaper, or online with a phone, tablet or computer.
Sudoku puzzles also come in varying degrees of difficulty. When you’re starting out, play the easy games first until you learn the rules and get the hang on it then move up gradually. If you’re playing on paper, use a pencil!
Lumosity
This is one of the most popular and most established brain training programs out there. Research has shown that people who play Lumosity 15 min. per day for 7 days, for 3 weeks showed improvements in attention and motor speed. You can play using their app or go to their website. They do have a free version and a paid version. I like this company because they also have a meditation and mindfulness app called Lumosity Mind.
Brain Yoga
I really like this brain trainer game. My kids even like playing it. You can download this free app from Amazon. It offers eleven puzzle games that train your memory, vocabulary, numeracy, spatial ability, and pattern matching. It only takes a few minutes a day and the best part is that there is no time pressure, no high scores, just diverting puzzles. It reduces your stress and helps you (and your kids) wind down before bedtime. Another cool thing with this game is that it plays relaxing background music while you’re playing the games. You will be on your way to Snooze Central my friend.
Queendom
Last but not least is Queendom. I have only played this one a couple of times, but it was very interesting and fun. I like the trivia questions and the little tests you can take on things such as emotional eating, hardiness, personality, analytical, and office skills just to name a few. Check them out here https://www.queendom.com/.
These are the ones I recommend helping increase brain function, memory, and focus. Try these and let me know what you think. Give them time and be consistent and you will be on your way to a better brain and be happier and healthier in the long run.
Until next time,
Take care,
Darren
Harmony Shift 