Did you know that playing games is one of the best ways to keep your brain sharp as you age? Each year, the rate of Alzheimer’s disease and other memory-related conditions continues to rise, causing many people to worry about their memory as they age. Many researchers have conducted studies that suggest that playing games can offer many benefits for brain health, including improved thinking and sharpness.
Below, this article will dive into the brain health benefits that playing certain types of games can offer. From table games to card games, you may be surprised to learn how your favorite games help your brain stay active and sharp.
Table Games
Playing table games such as board games or casino games offers many benefits for your health. First and foremost, playing table games has been shown to help individuals relax and lower stress. Stress can have some alarming effects on the brain and interfere with our decision-making abilities. In a 2017 study, research suggested that playing board games helped to increase feelings of calmness in participants.
Of course, playing table games also requires decision-making, as seen with a poker strategy and chess strategy. As our brains learn the strategies required for table games, we keep the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) and hippocampus parts of our brain active. These portions of the brain are responsible for effective decision-making and higher-order thinking.
As a bonus, playing table games also offers the ability to connect with friends and family. Maintaining social connections can also be beneficial for our brains.
Sudoku
Though Sudoku may seem like a simple numbers game, it’s an excellent exercise for your brain. Sudoku helps improve concentration, especially when playing games of increased difficulty. While you may not notice enhanced concretion during your game, you may notice that these enhanced concentration skills translate to other parts of your life, such as at work.
Playing Sudoku also helps improve logical thinking. Given that the numbers one through nine can only appear once in each square, row, or column, your brain will have to work using logical thinking to solve the Sudoku puzzle. Many free Sudoku apps are available online or on your device’s mobile app store, making it easy to exercise your brain on the go too.
Word Games
Like table games, playing word games also can be helpful in improving brainpower. Commonly played word games such as Scrabble require creativity, which is managed by the right hemisphere of the brain. In a study performed by researchers at Connecticut State University, conclusions suggested that playing these types of games can help the mind stay strong.
Another advantage of word games is an enhanced vocabulary and improved spelling skills. Learning new words helps use Broca’s area of the brain, located on the left side. This part of the brain is also responsible for helping us articulate and speak in both written and spoken forms of any language.
With the many distractions associated with our modern lives, playing games such as Ruzzle can help improve our attention span and focus. Word games require an enhanced level of focus, requiring our brains to tune out our surroundings.
Video Games
While video games often receive a negative spotlight, playing video games can help enhance our brain’s activity. One study examined participants’ brains through a functional MRI, which found that those who played for three or more hours showed increased brain activity.
Although more research is needed, this study serves as a baseline for how video games can help us protect our brain health. Playing video games can also help improve cognitive planning abilities and decision-making skills.
Anyone who has ever played video games knows that they combine both visual and auditory components. As such, playing these games can help enhance visuomotor abilities and hand-eye coordination. Many games, especially multi-player video games, require players to pay close attention and respond quickly to succeed.
Card Games
Card games are played by people of all ages, making them a great activity to improve thinking and sharpness for everyone. For example, Bridge is a common card game that can help sharpen the mind, improve logic and reasoning skills, and enhance concentration.
Playing card games also helps individuals sharpen observation skills, as many games require players to focus closely on their opponents. Some examples of other card games that boost brain health include Solitaire, Uno, and Rummy.
Have Fun While Sharpening Your Mind
While new research is still being performed, it’s clear that playing games can offer many benefits for our minds. From strengthening our memory to increasing attention span, games help improve our brains in dozens of ways.
Whether you prefer to play card games, word games, or something else, finding a game you love can offer both recreational and health benefits, for sure.
