Playing Cognitive Games

Cognitive Games Can Improve Your Mental Health

If I can survive the war that I battle with myself. I can survive anything.

“Change the way you feel by changing the way you think.”-Christine Pedesky

Most people don’t pay enough attention to their brain health and cognitive function. Cognitive functions are mental processes that receive, store, transform, develop, and recover information. It is vital to an individual’s life and how one interacts with the surroundings. 

Mental decay is a natural output of aging. When left untreated, it can lead to the development of psychiatric diseases which, even if treated, can also cause harm to the memory.

Brain training can help lessen the mental decay by increasing focus and alertness of the brain. Different activities include reading books, solving problems, and building structures. All of which can boost memory and cognition as a whole by keeping the mind sharp. Moreover, other activities may also include puzzles, cards, or board games.

According to a study in 2018, cognitive games can successfully improve perception, attention, memory, language, and comprehension. Moreover, it promotes active aging of the mental health of an individual.

Memory games to try:

1. Checkers. A simple yet fun game to play with others.
2. Mahjong. It requires a lot of pattern memorization and alertness.
3. Dominos. It requires good strategy and concentration.
4. Bingo. A simple social game that keeps you alert at all times.
5. Chess. This challenging game requires maximum concentration and strategy.
6. Crossword puzzles. This game can be played alone or together with others. It helps tease the brains.
7. Scrabble. This game requires creativity and vocabulary.

FURTHER READING

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29726445

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/oct/13/mental-exercises-to-keep-your-brain-sharp

https://homecareassistance.com/blog/card-games-to-keep-your-mind-sharp-and-brain-healthy