Brain feeling a little frazzled? It’s normal to feel fuzzy from time to time. Our minds can be so busy focused on work and our responsibilities, that they might not always get the stimulation they need to stay sharp.
But before you start to worry that you’re dumbing down, there are ways you can help engage your brain to improve your focus and memory. We’re always being told to exercise our bodies, but it’s also important to exercise your brain too. And that’s where games come in!
Some brain training is good for you, and playing games can be an effective way of giving your brain a workout and ensuring both sides are getting some attention. Take a look at four of the best games to help train your brain.
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How do games help train your brain?
According to research, brain training games can help you improve your cognitive skills, giving you new tasks to achieve and accomplish. As cognitive skills are focused on areas such as memory and focus, this can benefit your life in a lot of different ways.
While playing video games can be a way to relieve stress, games that are classed as brain training games will focus your mind in a different way, providing some stimulation and learning without you even realising it!
4 of the best brain training games
So what are some good brain training games? Some of the best include:
1. Sudoku
Sudoku is the perfect example of a brain-training game. It relies on memory and concentration to complete, and the challenge level can be increased according to your ability. The good news about sudoku is that it can be played anywhere, and you can even make up your own grid to play yourself. You can feel an immense feeling of satisfaction after completing sudoku, making it a simple and effective way to train your brain every day.
2. Puzzles
Puzzles have a lot of health benefits. And the good news is that they’re growing in popularity too. They can help you with short-term memory, spatial reasoning and so much more. They can also incorporate a social element, and can be a relaxing way to spend time with a friend or loved one.
3. Solitaire
Solitaire is a classic game for training your brain, which you probably overlook these days. Some of the ways solitaire engages your brain is by teaching patience and strategy, while helping you improve your focus too. Whether you play online or with a deck of cards, solitaire will help improve your short-term memory and can even be meditative for a lot of people.
4. Wordle
While a lot of people relied on streaming to help cope with the COVID-19 pandemic, the other star of the show was of course Wordle. While its popularity may have died down, it’s actually still a good way to engage your brain – giving you a daily brain teaser that can boost your brain power, help your memory and sharpen your focus. As a nice, short game, it’s easy to fit in something like Worlde as a daily habit that will train your brain every day.
Bonus. Hearts
Playing Hearts challenges the brain with strategic thinking and quick decision-making. It enhances cognitive flexibility, essential in problem-solving, and improves memory and concentration as players track
cards and predict opponents’ moves. This card game is not just
entertaining but also a brain-training exercise.
And there you have it. Next time you’re feeling a little brain fog, why not play a game to help you regain your focus? A little brain training each day can go a long way, a fun form of daily exercise that you’ll reap the benefits from for years to come.
