Brain Games
I don’t know about you, but the older I get the more I ask myself, “Why did I walk into this room?“
As we grow older, we need to exercise our bodies AND our brains! Studies show that adults will see improvements in performing daily tasks and increased memory ability thanks to brain training. So, take the time and ensure brain exercises are a priority in your daily routine.
There are many fun and effective ways to exercise our brains and improve overall mental health. Even things as simple as reading fiction books, listening to an audio book or podcast, doing arts and crafts, or identifying plants and animals can challenge our minds.
If you want to start with a simple activity, try completing a puzzle. While this might seem basic, puzzles slow our breathing, reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, and quiet busy minds.
Trivia quizzes stimulate our minds and can provide a good laugh! There are an infinite number of topics available online, or dust off the Trivial Pursuit game in the closet.
Sudoku puzzles are one of my favorites. They keep our minds sharp by preserving logical thinking skills and mental abilities. They also utilize parts of the brain we may not necessarily use in everyday life.
Word puzzles are a fantastic way to exercise our brains. Even if you don’t complete it, it’s beneficial to search for or think of words. There are many word and sudoku puzzles available online or paperbacks in most stores or the Dollar Tree. My new favorite online game is Wordle!
Bingo has made a comeback! Many places around Bend host Bingo nights to raise money for local charities. While it’s fun, it also stimulates hearing, sight, and touch. Because it’s a social game, there’s the added benefit of reducing loneliness.
Learning a new language might sound daunting, but challenging your mind is the best way to enhance brain health and reduce the impact of aging. There are a variety of ways to learn a new language online, with mobile apps such as DuoLingo, or audiobooks from the public library. For in-person, check out COCC’s Community Learning classes.
If you have young kids in your life, play games such as The Shopping List, Match Game, or have them teach you a video game! Games with older kids or adults such as Scrabble, Boggle, and Sequence are great too. Chess is a game of strategy and strengthens logical reasoning and problem solving. Card games are thought to benefit Alzheimer patients by increasing thinking and memory skills. If you are alone, consider a good ol’ game of Solitaire. There are also specific board games that can help slow the progression of dementia: Amazing Chase, Call to Mind, Snakes and Ladders, and Animal Snap.
Brain yoga aims to stimulate the brain using only your body to help improve motor abilities and neural pathways, but also improve hand-eye coordination and increased mental abilities. Here’s one example: Make a fist with your right hand and raise your thumb, hold this position. Then, make a fist with your left hand and extend your pinkie finger. Now try alternating between each hand. The instructions might seem simple, but I’m sure you’ll find it’s quite tricky. I think we should all show off this new talent at church next week!
And last, but certainly not least, commit the Good Book to memory. Memorizing Scripture is excellent for mental and spiritual growth. Not only will this challenge our brains, but it will help solidify God’s Word in our minds and on our hearts.
