Brain stimulation can be done through books, playing a musical instrument, socializing and even playing games. Some games and activities that might seem juvenile may actually help to strengthen brain function and memory. While studies have shown mixed results when it comes to the protection brain games can offer against Alzheimer's disease or whether these activities can actually raise your IQ, there is strong evidence that stimulating your brain, even with fun and games, can help to preserve brain health for a long time.
Word Puzzles
Think word searches, crossword puzzles, Scrabble, Boggle and other word games are just for kids? If it's been a while since you played any kind of word game, why not reacquaint yourself with some of these brain teasers? These kinds of activities may actually lower your risk of cognitive decline. A study published in the June 19, 2003 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine found that older adults who engage in leisure activities such as crossword puzzles, reading and board games had a 63 percent lower risk of dementia than older adults who do not participate in such activities. Such games can also be fun and provide a sense of satisfaction. Think about that feeling of accomplishment when you fill in that last word in a crossword puzzle!
Surfing the Web
Whether you're researching family history, looking for business and financial news, catching up on sports scores, trying to find the answer to a trivia question that has been bugging you for days, or just browsing, searching the Internet can be a fun, informative and healthy pursuit. According to a UCLA study published in the October 2008 issue of the Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, searching the Internet appears to stimulate centers in brain associated with complex reasoning and decision making and in turn may help preserve cognitive function into older age.
Seven Word Stories
National Public Radio, or NPR, also reported on a project the online magazine "Smith" did, asking famous people and everyday folks to write one-sentence memoirs to sum up their lives. Singer Aimee Mann wrote, "Couldn't cope, so I wrote songs," and a 27-year-old woman who had just been dumped wrote, "I still make coffee for two."
Trivia Games
Whether it's a board game, online quiz or book of trivia, it's always fun to test your knowledge, and that of your friends and family members, about subjects ranging from sports and movies to history and politics. When facing really tough questions, or when playing with younger children, offer three choices to give everyone a fighting chance. You can also add a twist by making up a haiku poem about any answers you get wrong.
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