Remember those games you used to play as a kid that helped you learn? You had so much fun playing them that you didn’t even realize you were learning.
As an adult, you can still use games to boost your brainpower. You may not be trying to build vocabulary or build up math skills anymore, but you still use games to keep your memory sharp, improve your ability to concentrate, flex your brain muscles and keep your mind agile and healthy. The best part – They’re fun!
When it comes to boosting your brainpower with games, there isn’t any one type that’s the best to try. There are great board games, puzzles, riddles and even video games that can help you get that brainpower flowing and sharpen things like math and word skills and help boost logical thinking. The important thing is to play something that you find fun and challenging. Exercising your brain is as important for your health as exercising your body, and it may keep your brain sharp and protect you from memory problems later in life.
Number puzzles can give you a great mental workout. Games like Sudoku get you to use skills like problem solving, memory and strategy. Doctors think that challenging yourself mentally – for example, by learning how to play Sudoku or pushing yourself to get better at increasingly harder levels of Sudoku – can be good for your brain because it activates parts of the brain that aren’t normally used in everyday activities. Number games are available in print form as well as on mobile phones, computers and even video game consoles.
Whether you play a traditional board games like Scrabble or Boggle, do a crossword puzzle in your local newspaper, or play an online word game, games that have you play with letters and words and ideas can improve memory, concentration and problem-solving.
Yes, you read that right! You can play video games to boost your brainpower. Despite videogames getting a bad rap for being bad for you, some videogames may actually be good for your brain. Games that require you to concentrate, remember and think up strategy can help sharpen mental skills.
When you move your body, your brain can benefit too. Aerobic exercises like walking or running can improve memory and help your brain focus better and boost other mental abilities like multitasking and problem solving.
