Gaming is a booming business these days and game designers would have you believe that playing their game for 20 minutes will improve your memory and slow down the aging of your brain. Take for example this article by Pert Mktg entitled TOP TIPS: ANTI AGING GAMES TO KEEP YOU YOUNG, which provides some examples below of anti-aging games ("any type of game designed to keep your mind active and youthful"):
Crosswords, Sudoku, and other Puzzles
These classic brain-teasers are a great way to keep your mind active. They work to improve your memory and problem-solving skills, which tend to decline as you get older.
Figuring out the answer to a tricky crossword can offer a great sense of achievement while using logic and problem-solving skills for Sudoku is vital. Other puzzles, like word searches and jumbles, offer a similar level of challenge and are perfect for keeping your mind active.
Board Games
Several board games can help keep your mind active, including Scrabble, chess, and checkers. These games require strategy and planning, which can keep your mind sharp.
Card Games
Card games, like poker and bridge, are another great way to keep your mind active. They help you to think quickly and make decisions under pressure, which can be a challenge as you get older.
Word Games
Games like Boggle and Scattergories can help improve your vocabulary and word skills. They also help improve your thinking process and problem-solving skills.
Video Games
Some video games, like "Brain Age" and "Lumosity," are marketed as brain-training games, but any video game that is mentally stimulating or challenging can benefit your brain. Games that require quick reaction times and strategic thinking are suitable for keeping your brain active.
According to the scientists however, there is no solid evidence that playing games will slow aging and make your brain better. In fact they say aerobic exercise is the activity most clearly proven to slow aging in the brain. "Other factors ... include healthy dietary choices, regular meditation and learning new things." (Can Brain Games Keep My Mind Young?)
In the Cedars-Sinai blog article Do Brain Games Help Brain Health? by Kyle Beswick, vascular neurologist Dr. Oana Dumitrascu says "keeping the brain healthy is more complex than simply doing daily puzzles from the comfort of your couch." Instead, you need to challenge yourself every day. In addition to meditation and mindfulness, Dr. Dumitrascu recommends challenging your brain to something new like learning a new language or musical instrument. She also recommends "brain-exercise apps and brain games, but only those that have gone through rigorous research trials". She too is an advocate of aerobic exercise, along with proper diet and sleep habits for long-term brain health.
So, even if playing games doesn't necessarily keep your brain young, there are other advantages. For instance, playing games can help you reduce stress and anxiety at any age. Although Game Quitter's article Do Video Games Reduce Stress? The Science Explained. specifically discusses video games, the same general principals could apply to other types of games as well. Stress and anxiety can lead to physical and mental ailments. To help counteract this, gaming can help you:
- Relax and unwind
- Offer escapism
- Build resilience
- Have fun
- Provide a sense of achievement
- Immerse yourself so you forget your worries
- Enhance your problem solving skills
- Offer a creative outlet
Gaming can also cause stress if you aren't careful:
- Gaming communities can be toxic
- Excessive play can lead to gaming disorder
- In-game purchases can lead to gambling problems
- Highly competitive play can be stressful
- Escapism is not a long-term solution
As with many things in life, moderation is key. Some tips to remember when starting out as a gamer is to begin with something easy, make sure you enjoy it, set a goal (e.g. time limit), play with others, take breaks, and have fun.
What are some of your favorite games? Mine include Wordle, Connections, Free Cell, Spider Solitaire, Sudoku and Jigsaw Puzzles, but I'm always on the lookout for new challenges.
I like jumble’s where you have to unscramble the words and then use the letters to make a sentence.
ReplyDeleteI'm a Wordle addict. One a day is not enough, so I found an app that has a seemingly endless number of puzzles to solve. I can get too absorbed while playing though, and that can be a problem. : )
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