Some games to stimulate the brain, such as crosswords, spot-the-difference games or Sudoku, help improve agility, learning, memory, reasoning and concentration, as well as better the ability to make decisions and solve puzzles quickly.
These games are suitable for people of all ages, and it is generally recommended to dedicate 30 minutes a day to playing, to keep the brain active and healthy.
Furthermore, food is also a very important component for having a healthy and active brain, and it is recommended to eat foods rich in magnesium, vitamin E and omega 3. See the complete list of foods that are good for the brain.
6 games to stimulate your brain
Some of the recommended brain-stimulating games include:
1. Crossword
Crosswords are a great way to stimulate the brain, improve memory and thinking, learning retention and also improve verbal fluency, making this game especially important for the elderly.
Crosswords can be found in magazines or newspapers, printed notebooks or can be available online or in applications, to be used on a computer, cell phone or tablet, for example, and it is recommended to play at least once a day.
2. Sudoku
Sudoku is a very popular reasoning game around the world that helps improve short-term memory, concentration and logical thinking, as well as increasing vitality and a healthier mindset.
Furthermore, in children Sudoku can help develop problem-solving skills and improve concentration, which can result in better school performance.
In this game, 81 squares, 9 rows and 9 columns, are filled in, using the numbers 1 to 9.
The objective of this game is to use the numbers 1 to 9 in each row, column and 3 x 3 square, without repeating the numbers. Each Sudoku game must have only one solution, and there are different levels of difficulty for the game, which must be chosen according to the player’s practice, calculation ability and reasoning.
Sudoku is a game that can be played online, on a cell phone, tablet or computer, as well as in magazines or newspapers. Furthermore, on some websites there is also the option to print the game to play later. To keep your brain active, it is recommended to solve 1 sudoku game per day.
3. Differences game
The differences game, also known as the 7 errors game, is an old and very popular game, where the objective is to compare two identical images, in order to find the 7 differences (or 7 errors) between the two images.
This game can be played online, on a cell phone, tablet or computer, as well as in magazines or newspapers. The 7 Errors Game helps develop your ability to concentrate and pay attention to detail, and it is recommended to play 1 or 2 games a day.
4. Dominoes
Dominoes is a game that helps stimulate the brain, creativity and cognition, as it allows the development of new connections between neurons in children, or the maintenance of these neural connections in adults.
Furthermore, this game helps improve memory, focus, strategic thinking, communication and social interaction skills.
5. Chess
Chess helps improve memory, concentration, focus and develop creativity, being a great game to stimulate the brain, which can have benefits to protect against dementia and help with ADHD.
Furthermore, chess stimulates social interaction and planning capacity, and can also help develop motor skills, which is why it is also used as a rehabilitation tool in people who have had a stroke, for example.
6. Tetris
Tetris is a very popular game in which the objective is to stack and fit falling pieces. These pieces, when aligned and fitted correctly, form lines that are eliminated, thus avoiding the “block of pieces” rising and losing the game.
This game helps improve concentration, as well as relieving symptoms of anxiety and stress.
Tetris is a game that can be easily played on your computer, cell phone or tablet, which can be played online or downloaded to your device. It is recommended that you dedicate 30 minutes a day to playing, in order to stimulate your brain.
Benefits of games for the brain
The main benefits of brain games are:
- Improve recent and long-term memory;
- Increase focus and concentration;
- Improve verbal fluency and communication skills;
- Develop logical thinking;
- Develop problem-solving skills;
- Stimulate creativity and cognition;
- Develop strategic thinking;
- Improve social interaction;
- Develop motor skills;
- Increase mental flexibility;
- Make thinking and reaction time faster;
- Reduce stress and anxiety.
Furthermore, when playing games that stimulate the brain, there is an increase in blood flow to the brain, increasing the amount of oxygen and nutrients important for brain function.
