Have you ever felt that you can’t get your brain kicked into gear? Or that you could do with being a bit quicker when it comes to puzzles and even the pub quiz? We all know that when it comes to muscles, the more often you use them, the stronger they become.

Here are some brain-boosting activities that get the grey-matter moving, and can pass a few hours too!

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Lumosity

There are some games that are known for being fun to play and offer a range of brain training and mental fitness options. For Lumosity, you can sign up for free and play up to three games per day. After that, you will need a subscription. Lumosity games and activities are backed by science, and you can play them on iOS, Android, and on their website. If you want to help your brain, even more, they have a meditation and mindfulness app called Lumosity Mind too.

Crosswords

Crosswords are a popular way to increase your vocabulary and keep that verbal Rolodex in good order. If you get a newspaper, then you will most likely see a crossword in there, although there are some crosswords that are harder than others. You can also purchase a stack of crossword puzzles and other puzzles from https://www.pennydellpuzzles.com/logic-math/ to keep you going for a while.

Peak

If you prefer to get your brain training on an app, then Peak is a lot of fun. The activities on Peak are designed for memory, problem-solving, mental agility, focus, and cognitive functions. You can also see how you fare against other people if you have a competitive streak. While the app is free to use, you can purchase a subscription and unlock some extra features.

Brain Age Concentration Training

This was one of the first games, Brain Training, for the Nintendo DS. Brain Age Concentration Training if for mental fitness and brain training for the Nintendo 3DS. It has a wide number of games, and your progress can be saved so that you can see the improvements over time. There are number games, concentration games, memory and calculation games, and other brain skills. Not only is this fun, but it can be challenging and portable too.

Sudoku

Some people can grasp Suduko quickly and easily, and others don’t. In general, though, the more simple Sudoko relies on short-term memory. The numbers need to be placed in the right place in order to complete the puzzle. You have to look ahead at what is coming and what you have just written. They come in a range of difficulties, most people do the ‘easier’ ones for a short time, and they are ready for a more significant challenge.

These types of puzzles aren’t just great for your memory, but they are an ideal way to pass the hours when the weather is terrible, or when it is simply too cold to spend time outside. Concentration games are great for all ages, too; they can help everyone get used to numbers, patterns, and more.