7 BRAIN GAMES TO MAKE YOU SMARTER
In fact, adults who frequently engage in mentally
stimulating activities are 63% less likely to develop dementia
than those who rarely do such activities, a New
England Journal of Medicine study discovered. A University of
Michigan study found that adults who play a
mentally challenging brain game every day for several weeks can
dramatically improve their memory.
The week’s worth of games and activities that
follow are designed to do just that. They were developed as part
of a brain-boosting lifestyle program called the
Brainpower Game Plan by by Cynthia Green, PhD, an assistant
clinical professor in the department of psychiatry
at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and founder of its
renowned Memory Enhancement Program.
Playing these brain games and exercising can
boost your brain power by up to 78%!
1. Name your colors
Challenge your ability to stay focused: Quickly
read out loud the color that each word is printed in—not the
word itself. Try it repeatedly to see if you can
improve.
2. In just 7 words
Test your creativity with this verbal challenge.
Write a short story—and use only seven words to tell your tale.
(Bonus: This will boost your Twitter and Facebook
storytelling skills).
3. Opposite day
Build new connections between brain cells by
putting your nondominant hand into action. If you’re a rightie,
use your left hand to perform daily tasks such as
brushing your teeth, combing your hair, and eating. Even try
š ™ Õ Ò à
Regularly challenging yourself with brain games,
mental exercises and new activities keeps your mind running
on all four cylinders.
In fact, adults who frequently engage in mentally
stimulating activities are 63% less likely to develop dementia
than those who rarely do such activities, a New
England Journal of Medicine study discovered. A University of
Michigan study found that adults who play a
mentally challenging brain game every day for several weeks can
dramatically improve their memory.
4. Find it
This teaser will help hone your visual searching
skills. The table features many different symbols. Using 30
seconds for each symbol, count how many times
each of the three at the top appear in the table. (Answers
below.)
5. Get the picture
Give your visual attention span a workout. Study
this photograph for 1 minute. Then minimize your web
browser and write down as many of the items in
the photo as you can remember. Try a second time, but before
you start, take a deep breath and actively focus
on the photo. Did you do any better the second time? (Answers
below.)
6. Project notes
Get in the habit of taking notes whenever you
receive critical information, such as from a doctor or lawyer, or in
any circumstance that may cause stress and
anxiety—which can cloud your memory. Note taking is always a
good idea on the job, too. Try this: staple
several sheets of blank paper to the inside of a project folder and use
them to take notes during meetings to produce a
clear record of what you discussed.
7. Count backward
Here’s a brain game that will help keep your mind
on track. Try these three exercises in simple subtraction:
Beginning at 200, count backward, subtracting 5
each time (200, 195, 190...).
Beginning at 150, count backward, subtracting 7
each time (150, 143, 136...).
Beginning at 100, count backward, subtracting 3
each time (100, 97, 94...).
Answer key
Find It game:
Number of times the symbols appeared, starting from left: 14, 18, 14
Get the picture:
Large window, blinds on large window, white sofa, white ottoman, 2
striped pillows, gold
pillow, burgundy pillow, floor plant, coffee
table, lamp on coffee table, wooden object on coffee table, small
violin, 3 small windows, bookshelf, books, globe,
small plant on bookshelf, small lamp on bookshelf, vase on
bookshelf, bowl on bookshelf, beige carpet.
REFERENCE:PREVENTION.COM
