You’ve probably heard about how brain training games are different from all the other games out there. And there’s some truth in that. After all, this particular type of game is capable of keeping your brain sharp and in shape.
You might be asking yourself how does it all work and why should you even bother to play brain training games. Well, you’re doing the right questions.
You should think about your brain as a muscle that needs regular training to function at optimal levels. Now, if you rarely train this muscle you can’t expect great results, right? That’s when brain training games come along.
Eating healthy and physically exercising your body lead to a longer and happier life. But when it comes to your brain, there are not too many people who tell you to exercise your cognitive functions.
But brain fitness is just as important as physical exercise or a healthy diet. It allows you to keep your mind sharp, it improves your mental performance and it slows down the natural deterioration of your neurological system.
Do you need any more reasons to start playing brain teasers and mental challenging games? If you do, then don’t worry because there are dozens of benefits that come from playing brain training games on a regular basis.
For now, we present you four reasons that will definitely make you want to include this sort of game in your routine.
Improved Cognitive Functions
In general, you are improving all your cognitive faculties when you’re actively engaging in brain training exercises.
As such, individuals who choose to play brain training games will be able to increase their logic, sharpen their attention, think and react faster, improve their problem-solving skills and even make multitasking easier.
Dr. Sherry Willis, Professor at the University of Texas, has demonstrated that brain training allows individuals to become more efficient at performing all sorts of everyday tasks. Also, the memory improvement can last up to five years after the brain workout [1].
Efficient Working Memory
There are numerous studies that establish a direct relation between brain training exercises and the improvement of working memory.
The recent study COGITO conducted at the Max-Planck Institute has concluded that performing brain exercises systematically can improve the working memory of individuals from all age groups [2].
So, if your short-term memory is not the best right now, it’s probably a good idea to start doing a block puzzle game every now and then.
Slows Down Dementia and Mental Aging
As you keep training your brain, you’re getting self-insurance that your mental faculties won’t be going down so soon.
This is a known fact for almost everything. Practice makes perfect and the more you train your brain, the better it will remain active and efficient.
Now, moving to some consistent facts. A research led by Dr. Sylvie Belleville at the University Institute of Gériatrie de Montréal has demonstrated that brain training games can improve the memory of people with mild cognitive impairments, including those presenting first signs of dementia [3].
Brain Training Games: Is It the Key for a Healthy Brain?
Brain training games are certainly one of the best ways to keep your brain sharp and running optimally. At long-term, training your brain can surely make a tremendous difference.
But it’s not all about your cognition though. Playing brain training games can be very entertaining and challenging too. It’s basically a source of fun with benefits!
Besides, there are brain games for kids and adults. Everyone can play, enjoy and benefit from playing this type of game.
Therefore, if gaming is your thing then you should definitely give it a try.
Sources
[1] Willis, S.L. et al. (2006), Long-term Effects of Cognitive Training on Everyday Functional Operations in Older Adults. JAMA, 296(23), 2805-2814
[2] Schmiedek, F. et al. (2010), Hundred days of cognitive training enhance broad cognitive abilities in adulthood: findings from the COGITO study. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience: 2(27), 1-10
[3] Belleville, S. (2008), Cognitive training for persons with mild cognitive impairment, International Psychogeriatrics, 20: 57-66
