Most people understand that they have to train their body in order to keep it in tip-top condition. But not everyone understands that the same principle applies to their brains, too. By engaging in brain-boosting activities, you can help keep your mind sharp, enhance your memory, and increase your cognitive thinking abilities, among other benefits.
And the best part? Working out your brain doesn’t have to involve doing the mental equivalent of running on a treadmill for an hour. Nope, you can nudge your mind in the right direction simply by playing games that require deep thinking. We’ll run through some of the most effective and popular options below.
Minesweeper
Minesweeper is a bit of an underrated gem. It was automatically pre-installed on Windows computers up until Windows 10, yet it somehow escaped the popularity earned by Solitaire, the other classic game that Windows offered its users for free.
Well, now could be the time when Minesweeper gets its flowers. The game has been shown to boost logistical and strategic thinking along with memory and processing speed. That’s a fair amount of advantages to get from a game that’ll only take up around thirty minutes of your time.
Poker
Poker, a classic card game with a history that dates back more than two hundred years, offers players a range of cognitive benefits. Just through the course of playing the game, players will develop their risk-assessment skills, emotional intelligence, and concentration levels. There has even been some research to suggest that playing poker regularly may prevent degenerative neurological diseases.
The game is slightly more complicated than other card games, but anyone with a bit of spare time can quickly learn poker online and be playing games within an hour or so. To get the most mental benefits from poker, it’s recommended to both play and study the game; in the beginning, around 50% playing and 50% studying should suffice.
Catan
Have some friends who are also looking to give their brains a boost while having fun? Then consider buying Catan, the classic strategy/negotiation board game that was first released back in 1995.
Studies have indicated that Catan can help enhance critical thinking, boost memory, and flex probability calculation. Plus, since there’s a negotiation aspect to this board game, you’ll likely also enhance your business credentials, too. It’s not the easiest board game to pick up, and there’s every chance that you’ll lose the first game if you’re playing against more experienced players (every move, including your very first of the game, counts). But stick with it — you’ll get to grips with it eventually, and in the process, you’ll be giving your brain a much-needed workout.
Morning Puzzles
Don’t have massive amounts of time to dedicate to learning brain-boosting games, but still want to give yourself a mental workout? Then consider making a morning puzzle a regular part of your routine. Puzzles such as crosswords and sudoku have been shown to enhance problem-solving skills, concentration, and memory.
The brain benefits of both sudoku and crosswords overlap significantly, but there are a few differences. Sudoku is generally best for enhancing analytical skills, while crosswords will help boost memory and language capabilities. If you want to get the most benefit, then why not complete one of each every day?
Mahjong
You’ll likely have heard of all the games we’ve outlined so far in this article. If you’re looking to test your brain with a game that’s slightly different, though, then how about mahjong? This game, popular in Asia, originated in the 1800s and has grown increasingly popular in recent years. The game is believed to help enhance concentration and keep the mind sharp. Plus, since the game is widely available online, you won’t need to invest in any special equipment — simply load it up on your commute to work, and you’ll be starting the day with a challenge that might just keep your brain in full working condition for decades.
