Scrabble. Sudoku. Crossword puzzles. Can these games help you stay mentally sharp as you age and even delay or prevent Alzheimer’s disease? We explore the latest research and best games for a fit brain…
12 Fun Games That Improve Brain Health
Games are enjoyable, intellectually stimulating and socially engaging and that’s all good for you. But do they keep your brain sharp?
If people repeatedly practice a certain task, they do improve over time, says Richard Caselli, M.D., professor of neurology at Mayo Clinic Arizona, in Scottsdale. So chances are, if you do a crossword puzzle every day, you'll become an expert at them.
But researchers are still evaluating whether that skill can transfer to other tasks, like remembering a name, date, or where you left your keys. If so, brain games could be a component in helping manage degenerative brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s.
Specifically, scientists are testing “cognitive reserve,” the theory that a more active brain can compensate for the effects of Alzheimer’s disease thus delaying onset of symptoms.
One 2010 study, conducted by Chicago’s Rush University Medical Center, tracked 1,157 senior citizens for 12 years and found that those who stayed mentally active had a delayed onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms. Overall, they spent less time in a disabled state.
However, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reviewed all the research on Alzheimer’s prevention last spring and concluded that more long-term research is needed to determine whether games play a significant role. Currently, “no evidence of even moderate scientific quality exists” that risk can be reduced by intellectual challenges, according to the NIH. The same goes for other factors they analyzed, such as diet, exercise, medications, medical conditions or social engagement.
Still, people who stay healthy overall tend to do better as they age. And intellectual engagement is an important part of overall health.
In fact, according the Alzheimer’s Association, the best way to maintain brain health is by:
Staying physically active, which maintains good blood flow to the brain and encourages the development of brain cells.
Sticking to a low-cholesterol, low-fat diet rich in fruits and dark green vegetables. Antioxidants in these foods may help protect brain cells.
Staying socially active, which reduces stress.
Staying mentally active, which may help strengthen connections between brain cells.
“There’s no downside. [These are] important choices we should make,” agrees Cynthia R. Green, Ph.D.
Green advises adding some brain games to your weekly routine. Only play games you enjoy, and don’t feel obligated to play every day. A few minutes several days a week could help, she says.
If nothing else, you’ll have fun, which also delivers valuable mind-body benefits. “People who remain intellectually active are happier and less likely to be depressed” and thus likely to stay healthier overall, Caselli says.
Here are some games to try:
Brain Game: Sudoku
How to play: This number-placement puzzle features a 9x9 grid comprising nine 3x3 sub-grids. The grid comes with some pre-filled numbers. You fill in the rest so that each sub-grid contains the digits 1-9, without repeating a number in the same row, column or 3x3 sub-grid.
Where to find it: In daily papers, including the New York Times, and in books in the puzzle section of any bookstore. It’s also available as an iPhone or BlackBerry application.
Brain Game: Boggle
How to play: Shake a tray of letter-imprinted dice and let them settle into a 4x4 grid. Start the three-minute timer, then each player has to find as many words as possible. You receive points for each word you find that isn’t duplicated by another player.
Where to find it: The board game, for 2-4 players. It’s available as an iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad application. You can also play it as part of Hasbro Family Game Night on your Nintendo Wii, XBOX Live, XBOX 360 or Nintendo DS.
Brain Game: Bananagrams
How to play: Each player draws 21 lettered tiles. They then race against each other to form sets of connecting and intersecting words. The first player to use all their tiles shouts “Bananas!” and wins the hand.
Where to find it: The game, for 2 or more players. You can also play online on Facebook.
Brain Game: Set
How to play: Using 9 cards, each player has to locate a “set” of 3 features (color, number, shape or shading) that's either all the same on each card or different.
Brain Game: Simon
How to play: This electronic disc has 4 colored buttons, each of which plays a different tone when pressed. The game plays you a random sequence, which you then have to reproduce by quickly pressing the buttons in the correct order.
Where to find it: The electronic handheld game is available in stores for $9.99.
Brain Game: Lumosity Brain Games
How to play: At this website, you’ll find a variety of games to test different skills: verbal fluency, problem-solving, attention, speed and memory. Directions for each game are explained on the website.
Where to find it: Free games are available on the websites.
Brain Game: KENKEN
How to play: Place numbers in a grid so they aren’t repeated in any row or column. Boxes in the grid are highlighted, with a cue as to what the result should be when the numbers are plugged into a mathematical equation.
For example, 2X means that the numbers, when multiplied, must produce an answer of 2. You can make it harder by trying to complete the puzzle in a set amount of time.
Where to find it: It’s also available as an iPhone or BlackBerry application.
Brain Game: Crossword puzzles
How to play: Make these word puzzles harder by trying to complete them in a set amount of time. Other options: Find a friend to play with, or make copies of a puzzle and compete with friends to see who finishes first.
Where to find it: In addition to your daily newspaper and puzzle collections in any bookstore, you can find links to free online puzzles on websites.
Brain Game: Jigsaw puzzles
How to play: Make these puzzles a social activity by working with family or friends to fit the pieces together.
Where to find it: For ideas of unique puzzles and where to buy them.
Brain Game: Scrabble
How to play: In the classic game, you choose 8 tiles and take turns creating intersecting words on a board. But there are also new variations to try: The Scrabble Flash Game automatically times your turns. Upwords is a three-dimensional version of the game. Scrabble Nab-It allows you to steal words from your opponents.
Brain Game: Tetris
How to play: Manipulate a series of tumbling shapes, so when they fall into place, they fit together and the completed lines disappear from the board. Dr. Green recommends keeping a timed game handy, on a phone or other device, so you can play easily for short periods of time.
Where to find it: Tetris is available for almost every phone, computer and game system.
Brain Game: Rubik’s Slide
How to play: This new, electronic variation of the ’80s favorite Rubik’s Cube has 9 lit-up squares on one panel. The object is to rearrange the pattern of lights by shifting and twisting the game until the pattern matches that puzzle’s solution. The game contains more than 10,000 puzzles and a variety of difficulty settings.
Where to find it: At major and specialty stores nationwide for $19.99.
Brain-Healthy Tips to Keep In Mind
When possible, play games with other people. That way you’ll stay intellectually engaged and socially active. Staying socially engaged may help people stay healthy as they age, and it’s one of the factors scientists believe may eventually be found to protect against Alzheimer’s.
Play timed games. These may help you develop focus and process information faster, Green says.
In addition to these games, find other ways to keep your brain active: Take a class, start a book group, or talk to friends about current events.
By Ellen Wlody,
| Next > |
|---|
Videos
Adobe Flash Player not installed or older than 9.0.115!
GURUJI (INDIAN SEARCH ENGINE)
Astrology
Videos
Popular
Comic
Sponsored Links
Translate My Page
Editors Column
Hi folks,
Journalism and reporting are scaling new heights. Newer technologies is making a lot of difference to the way news, views are reported and shared with all.
Despite free speech that many constitutes lawfully allow, there is still a large scale of suppression in some form or the other happening with the full support of the government. Where do you go when the protector becomes the predator? The technology comes to the fore and we have seen a boost in citizen journalism mainly through internet and now phones.
Be it a news-site, radio or video journalism, the new news media is here to stay. So let us really pledge to share news and not be afraid of anyone. Come feel free to share information, news, views, etc., of any kind and from anywhere.
We strongly believe in freedom of speech and thoughts!
Be free, be heard and be read!
- Editor
Polls
Statistics
Members : 1311Content : 1179
Web Links : 12
Content View Hits : 1070941