What if I told you there are many beneficial activities for the mind you could find inside your computer or your mobile phone? If you’re someone who spends all their free time scrolling through Instagram or searching the web, you may want to replace these mindless actions with something a little more thought-provoking.
Let’s take a look at some of the best online mobile games that can help your mind become healthier.
Sudoku
The classic puzzle solving game is a favorite for many, but did you know that Sudoku can improve memory and concentration as well? The game promotes brain health by forcing players to think critically to solve problems.
In this way, the game involves some level of strategy so people can become better over time. Many players also use it as a tool for relaxation or to pass the time. However, by turning your attention and concentration to a puzzle game with a defined outcome, you are doing much more than killing free time.
Research shows that solving puzzle games like Sudoku can keep your brain sharp and even reduce chances of early onset of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Nowadays, the game is available to play online in browser format or mobile, and even older users will enjoy the user-friendly, straightforward platforms where it is available.
Poker
Anyone who has ever played the strategic game of poker knows how much brainpower it requires. Between being completely focused on your hand and attentive to all other opponents’ possible moves, it is a highly dynamic and interactive game that demands a certain amount of mental exertion from its participants.
In this way, poker sessions enjoyed over time undoubtedly have the potential to enhance and strengthen the mind.
Studies show that new neurological pathways can be created in the brains of poker players over time. The more a person practices, the more strengthened these pathways become, and sooner than later a protective layer known as a “myelin sheath” begins to thicken. Because myelin’s job is to transmit electrical signals to the nerve cells, having a strong sheath can dramatically improve brain functioning.
So, with all that said, it’s clear to see how this classic game of skill can affect its players’ health for the better. Especially nowadays where most of the reputable casino sites make it available to access at any time so long as you reside from the appropriate state, playing poker as a beginner or to refine your strategy is more accessible than it’s ever been. You may be surprised to see how such an entertaining and interactive game can also strengthen your mind.
Chess
In similar ways that both sudoku and poker strengthen the brain’s functioning over time, chess can also have great long-term benefits for its players. The advantages of playing chess are extremely multi-faceted and include everything from improved cognition and memory to better attention spans and problem-solving skills.
Scientists even claim that playing the game can improve mental age dramatically over time. As with any game, practice makes perfect, and in the case of chess, consistent play can equal huge advantages for visual and spatial processing and even improved motor skills.
The great thing about the game is that although its history is rooted in ancient times, chess is an appealing strategic activity that many people choose to play as a top game in today’s modern world. In fact, its popularity has spread so rapidly among players of all skill levels and ages that more and more free playing platforms have popped up all over the web in recent years.
If you find yourself with some free time and want to exercise those brain muscles, hopping on one of these sites for a quick gaming session might just be extremely beneficial for your overall brain health.
