It’s common to go to the gym or set aside time each day for a quick workout at home. But arranging regular sessions to train your brain should also be a part of your daily or weekly routine.
It is crucial to keep your mind sharp, especially now. Even though the pandemic is (maybe, kinda, perhaps) slowing down, many of us still lack the daily stimulation that we once received from crowded offices, lively happy hours, and social engagements with friends and family.
Undoubtedly, cognitive exercise is essential for maintaining healthy brain function throughout life, and it may help prevent or decrease any current or future decline.
But what games can you play to give your brain a workout? Read on to find out our top brain games.
Chess
If you’re in need of a mental break from your computer, playing a game of chess is an excellent way to stimulate your brain. The fact that the board game requires logical reasoning is one of the reasons that neurologists encourage it.
Playing chess improves our capacity to plan ahead and make strategic decisions and strengthens our memories and cognitive abilities.
Poker
Poker is another game where your brain must be alert at all times. It has multiple layers of strategy, and players must make decisions based on fast mathematical calculations. For example, the Texas Hold’em rules are quite easy to learn but there is deeper thinking required.
Recalling what cards make up a certain hand, such as a Royal Flush or straight, is great for your memory, while you must also work out mathematical probabilities to see what your chances of making a hand might be. Oh, and you could even finish winning a few quid.
Sudoku
You’ve probably heard of Sudoku, the logic-based puzzle based on numerical patterns, but did you know it’s a favourite brain game among neurologists?
Sudoku increases memory and focus while also encouraging the concept of narrowing the gap between the big picture andthe individual components of an issue you’re trying to solve.
Bridge
Bridge’s complexities make it especially appealing to individuals looking to improve their mental acuity through mental gymnastics.
The Alzheimer’s Association published the findings of a large-scale clinical study in Finland last year that illustrated the benefits of trying to combine cognitive training and socialisation. These are two of bridge’s primary benefits and, when combined with other lifestyle changes, the game can improve memory and concentration in those at risk of cognitive decline.
Scrabble
This classic word game enhances your vocabulary and trainsyour mind to focus on a single task, in addition to bringing out the competitive spirit in people of all ages. Every round is new with a full dictionary of phrases to pick from, and you’ll never get tired of playing this game. After all, it’s been around since 1948.
Jigsaw puzzles
Jigsaw puzzles are fantastic for exercising both the left side and right sides of your brain at the same time. Puzzles need intuition, creativity and logic, and it’s easy to get lost in them for hours.
There are many new look puzzle brands out there, such as Piecework, Ordinary Habit, and Whiled, that feature fresh artists from all around the world.
Rummikub
This fast-paced, easy-to-learn game combines luck and strategy. Rummy-style, players take turns arranging numbered squares in runs and groups. Players repeatedly modify their tiles as the board changes until every square on their rack is removed. Rummikub could help you improve your sequencing, pattern identification, and planning abilities.
Sagrada
Finally, there is Sagrada, a little-known board game puzzlequickly gaining popularity with people of all ages.
Sagrada is a dice placement game that falls somewhere between a challenging board game and a brain teaser.
The goal is to create a stained-glass window delicately by positioning dice according to colour and shade while following a set of constraints. Some players even stated that they were enjoying playing Sagrada so much that they were dreaming of glass dice at night.
Summary
It doesn’t matter what age you are; we all need to keep our minds active and alert to safeguard future degenerative brain diseases.
Games are a great way to learn new things and challenge your brain. The options that we have covered above are not only really enjoyable, pandemic-friendly, and easily available, but they also work to keep your mind active in the long term.
