As the candles on the cake increase each year, many of us worry that our mental and brain health will decline leading to dementia or Alzheimers. The fear of not being able to care for ourselves is daunting not only economically but also socially, for each of us and our families. During our working years, we are constantly problem solving, strategizing, using our memory and logic skills within our careers. Once retirement sets in and we cease using our “brains” as we had for so long, and now we need to continue to stimulate the brain on an intentional basis.
This is where brain games come in. Studies show that spending as little as 5 minutes a day on your brain health can significantly increase mental wellbeing and help to prevent a decrease in our cognitive impairment later in life. Brain games come in all forms, from apps on your phone, to computer games, to paper and pen books as well as puzzles, cards and board games.
What can this do for me? It has been scientifically shown that brain games can give you more self confidence, better mood, improved word finding, fewer dangerous driving moves, faster visual processing, happier days, larger useful field of view, better hearing in noisy places, lower medical costs and less likely depression.
Online Games
Online games focus on improving processing speed, critical thinking, reaction times, visual recognition, short term memory, decision making and planning skills.
Luminosity
Luminosity Offers 50+ games that can be played on the desktop, apple or android devices. The free version gives you limited access with three quick games per day. Subscriptions are $12 per month or $60 per year for an individual and $18 month or $100 per year for a Friends and Family plan which allows up to 5 users and gives full access to the site.
Peak
Peak is available on android or apple devices. It has 45+ games covering 6 categories. The free version gives you a “few” games that you can play once per day. The subscription is $5 a month or $35 a year for full access with 6 games a day that you can replay.
BrainHQ
Brainhq.com – For desktop, android and apple devices. It has 29 games covering 6 areas, with one game daily for free. Subscriptions are $14 a month or $96 a year.
Web Sites such as AARP.com also have a wide variety of online games to promote attention, concentration and focus.
Pen & Paper
Pen and Paper – Set a timer for each puzzle to make it more challenging.
Crosswords
Crosswords help with memory retention.
Word Search
Wordsearch uses our reasoning skills.
Soduko
Soduko uses logic, memory and problem solving
Other Games
Jigsaw puzzles,card games, chess, and cribbage all involves eye/hand coordination as well as strategy, memory and problem solving and don’t require any computer savvy technical skills
Another way to challenge your brain without any tools or devices at all is to try using your nondominant hand to perform tasks such as brushing your teeth or combing your hair. This helps build connections between your brain cells and increase strength.
Try intentionally spending a few minutes each day on keeping your brain healthy and happy and see for yourself the rewards of your work!
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