So, I’d add travel to this list of brain games

Jonty, I appreciate your advice on overstimulating your brain…I hadn’t thought about that, that brain exercises are similar to muscular exercises. I know muscles need a break from training, and didn’t realize your brain needs a break, too. Interesting.

Remember, brain training is a learning process, and as is the case with any such process, it takes time and effort. In all likelihood, you will not notice any immediate changes, but if you keep up with your exercise and training you should experience measurable improvements in your cognition. Where these improvements take place and how they manifest themselves will depend on what sort of exercises you are doing and how much you are doing them… and even then there will be considerable variation from person to person as each of our minds is unique.

But yes, if you pick some memory exercises aimed at improving your memory for names and dates, and stick to them, in time you should definitely notice improvement in that area, and possibly in other aspects of memory as well.

Yes, I think you know that the brain exercises or brain games are working if you find that your memory and concentration have improved. Also, if you can think with more clarity — faster cognitive processing — then I think you know that the brain exercises are working.

Also, if you find yourself learning new things faster and easier, then the brain games might be effective.

I also suggest taking omega-3 fatty acids and essential oils to improve brain health. I wrote about them in an article — here’s the link:

The Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Fish Oils

Best wishes,
Laurie

This was an interesting article, I like the idea of thinking about the best ways to play brain games, not just to play them.

I have a question. How do you know if your brain exercises actually work? Do you remember things better, like names and dates? I have no way to measure if the brain games are effective.

V.

In terms of effectiveness, a study last year on Improving Fluid Intelligence by Training Working Memory (PNAS April 2008) recorded increases in mental agility (fluid intelligence) of more than 40% after 19 days of focused brain training — thirty minutes per day. I was so impressed that I contacted the research team and developed a software program using the same method — Mind Sparke Brain Fitness.

Brain Fitness Pro has since been selected as a Top Ten gift pick by PC Mag and has been chosen by top brain gym vibrantBrains as an addition to their lineup.

Martin
mindsparke.com
Effective, Affordable Brain Training Software