Researchers at the American Psychological Association (APA) report that exercises used to improve memory function can ultimately improve the brain's abilities to solve problems and understand complex ideas. People who practice memory activities tend to perform higher in other cognitive skills, as well. With practice, training and repetition, you can utilize a number of brain exercises to increase your intelligence. Brain strengthening can be likened to any other muscle-building exercise; the more you use your muscles, the stronger they become.
Chess
Chess is a good game to play to exercise the brain, notes researchers at Brain Metrix. The game of chess requires creative strategy thinking to make the moves that will result in taking the competitor's pieces off the board. Chess helps to increase spatial thinking as you take in the entire board. Continuing to play builds up the brain's learning abilities and builds up a log of experience on which to draw when playing. The system of knowledge accrued while playing helps to strengthen memory and the ability to store complex ideas and information.
Rubik's Cube
Solving a Rubik's Cube by aligning similar colors on the same side by turning a group of squares helps to develop spatial intelligence, or visual thinking. Visual thinking is an integral piece of overall intelligence. Spatial intelligence is more abstract than the skills required to become a chess master, but it involves the ability to recognize faces, names and objects. By mastering a Rubik's Cube, the mind becomes trained to a thought process that can help it to recognize the sequences of thoughts and ideas to form a final goal. Developing spatial intelligence through games increases the ability to map and outline ideas.
Sudoku
Sudoku is a Japanese number game that stimulates the nerves in the brain and can help to keep it alive and active, resulting in improved intelligence that helps to fight the aging process. Sudoku draws on the logical aspects of the brain and requires players to place numbers in rows so that they equal a specific number and are not repeated in any one line. The game also requires patience and the ability to reflect on various options when learning to choose the correct answers.
Pong
The computer game of Pong, available through memory training sites like Brain Metrix, works on cognitive abilities, as well as physical reflexes. It provides an exercise to coordinate the two areas. Other similar games include tennis and table tennis, where a skilled player learns how to predict where the ball will land so that it can be hit back. Exercises that draw on the ability to predict various outcomes are also good memory-strengthening activities.
