Read on to learn why Sudoku, Scrabble, crossword puzzles, Luminosity, chess, jigsaw puzzles, matching card games and Mario Kart are the best brain games for adults.
According to the CDC, Alzheimer’s diagnoses are drastically increasing in the United States. No matter how old you are, it’s important to safeguard your brain health.
Along with exercising and eating well, playing brain games on a regular basis has been shown to keep your brain sharp and healthy. Improved memory, mental agility, and prolonged attention span are just some of the benefits.
With all of the brain game options out there, how do you know which ones are actually beneficial? Read our guide to the seven best brain games for adults below to find out.
1. Sudoku
Sudoku is a classic brain game that challenges your concentration and short-term memory. You can download a Sudoku app or go old school and put pen to paper with a Sudoku book. Sudoku requires you to look for patterns and find the missing piece of the puzzle, which helps with problem-solving skills.
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Sudoku is one of the best brain games for adults to start with because there are beginner, intermediate, and expert levels. You can start off easy and move up as your Sudoku skills grow, which will give your brain a nice boost of dopamine.
2. Scrabble or Crossword Puzzles
Scrabble and crossword puzzles both utilize and improve your language skills, which is great for cognitive function. They require you to dig into your memory and access words you don’t use every day, which is a great brain workout.
You can easily download a Scrabble or crossword puzzle app on your phone, but we’re fans of the physical versions. Less screen time is always good for your brain, and the physical act of playing scrabble is great for motor skills. Plus, you can play it with someone else in person, which is way more fun than playing on your phone.
3. Luminosity
Luminosity is a popular online brain training platform that offers a variety of games that test your memory, concentration, problem-solving skills, and more. With the free version, you can play three brain games a day, or you can upgrade to a paid subscription for more.
The nice thing about Luminosity is that they keep track of your results and achievements. You can watch how you are improving as you go, and that sense of accomplishment will make you want to play more. You can play Luminosity on a desktop through their website or on their phone app.
4. Chess
Chess requires extreme concentration and strategy, making it one of the best brain games for adults. If you want to win, you need to engage your full attention and resist zoning out. Strategizing is great for keeping your brain’s executive functions sharp. You also have to stay quick on your feet to make the right moves under pressure.
Another benefit to chess is the social aspect, and studies show that our brains benefit from friendship. As you age, playing chess is also a fun activity to pass down to younger generations, like your grandchildren.
5. Jigsaw Puzzles
Jigsaw puzzles engage your short-term memory, which keeps your recall abilities sharp. To solve a puzzle, you have to memorize and match shapes and colors, which is a great way to maintain your brain’s sorting abilities.
Every time you match a piece of the puzzle, you get a dopamine hit. Dopamine is that “feel good” hormone that improves your mental wellbeing and overall health. Jigsaw puzzles also quiet your mind and allow you to get lost in thought while you work, which most adults don’t experience enough. Daydreaming boosts creativity, concentration, and problem-solving skills.
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Another reason that jigsaw puzzles are one of the best brain games for adults is that they have to be done in person. No jigsaw app can compete with the feeling of putting together a puzzle in real life. The back and forth movement of placing puzzle pieces also improve motor skills, which is another important health factor to consider as you get older.
6. Matching Card Games
Everyone has a deck of cards lying around that you can easily turn into a brain game. Shuffle your cards and then lay them face down in four rows of eight cards across. Flip over two cards at a time. If the cards match, remove them from the rows. If not, flip them back over and try again with two new cards.
Keep playing until you find all of the matches. This game challenges your memorization skills, and it’s a quick way to add a brain game into your routine that you can play by yourself.
7. Mario Kart
You might think it’s odd that we’re recommending a video game for adults, but hear us out. Video games are actually great for hand-eye coordination, especially racing games like Mario Kart. They build your brain’s spatial awareness, which is important for motor skills. We’re not saying you should veg out on video games, but a quick round of Mario Kart with friends, or your kids, can do your brain some good.
Best Brain Games for Adults Wrap-Up
Out of our top seven best brain games for adults, which one is your favorite? They’re all great, and adding a variety of them to your daily routine will help keep your brain sharp and healthy. Just like you exercise your body to stay fit, it’s important to train your brain.
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