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Brain and Memory Games: 70 Fun Puzzles to Boost Your Brain Juice Today

Ways to Improve Concentration and Focus the Mind

By: Jason Scotts

Chapter 1- The Importance of Brain and Memory Games

Keeping your brain strong and your memory intact should be a goal that everyone should strive for. As we age, our brains start to weaken, making us more susceptible to certain diseases of the mind. No one that I know wants to lose their memories, precious memories especially, like the day your children were born, your days in school having fun or old friends long gone. Luckily the brain can be exercised, and everyone should be challenged to do so every day.

But how do we exercise our brain exactly? There are many tried and true ways, but the most common, and most fun by far, are with brain and memory games. Brain and memory games come in all different types, at varying levels of difficulty. The most common games that help strengthen the mind are puzzles. Crossword puzzles, for example, force the brain to use its cognitive powers daily to help figure the answers that go in the correct boxes. This simple exercise for the brain helps stave off neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer's disease. Games like, Sudoku, also provide our brains with much needed cognitive exercise.

In this day and age, where everybody seems to have either a computer at home or a Smartphone in their pockets, there are many other ways to exercise the brain with games daily. Simple games, like Tetris, take a ton of hand to eye coordination. It also makes you think forward, where to place your next piece, which way that piece needs to fit when it gets to its destination, and then we repeat the process again.

Some of us even go as far as looking past our current piece and on to the next one in line, planning where it will go even before you have dropped or rotated the current piece. This exercise seems pointless, but put that into perspective for either a teenager or elderly adult, both of who want to drive. Being able to look forward and planning your moves and planning your routes is very important abilities that we all need to use while driving, and games like Tetris helps keep our brains sharp in this aspect.

Researchers and game designers at UCSF have built a special video game just for older adults. NeuroRacer is a great example of the importance of playing games for the brain. These researchers found that the adults that were playing their game strengthened their multi-tasking cognitive skills, which helped to not only remedy certain targeted brain deficiencies, but also helped strengthen their working memory. The working memory is the part of the brain that allows us to remember simple things, like a person's name that they have just given us, or their email address. In some cases, the older adults were on par with the cognitive multi-tasking skills of a much younger person. Simple steps forward like this for some people are very important, especially in the early stages of mental a disease, and even old age itself.

For the younger generation of people out there, these games still have great value in strengthening the brain and memory. Some students have problems maintaining information that they need, important details and facts that may seem to slip away from them when it comes time to test them. By playing certain mind strengthening games, that student can train their brain to hold more information than they has previously, and for longer periods of time. It also helps them maintain better focus in the classroom; this in turn gives them the chance to absorb more information. Even young toddlers and children need memory games.

The game Memory is a perfect example of a memory training game, and can be used for young children, all the way through to the elderly. The premise of the game is simple, use your memory to remember where each card is, and try to find matching pairs while remembering the layout. It seems simple enough, and it is. But do not underestimate the power of this useful game, for even the parents of young children who are playing with them can still, and often do, make mistakes. It is imperative that we not let our brains become lax and useless tools that sit on the shelf and gather dust.

What happens when we forget to exercise our leg and arm muscles? They grow soft and weak, unable to lift the heavier objects as easily as someone who keeps in shape. They start to have problems holding our bodies up us as well, making it difficult to walk, or even stand up straight. The same thing can happen to our brains if we do not exercise them regularly. The connections in our brain that help with our cognitive skills get soft, and some even fade away completely. This cerebral atrophy is common in many aging adults, and even more common in adults that are suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's. By playing these games, these puzzles and challenges, we are exercising our brains in much the same way as we would exercise our muscles.

There are many other simple exercises and games that we can use to keep our minds sharp. Using and reading an analog watch, for example, can have the same positive effects on your brain and as a puzzle game. Even games like Blackjack can have an effect on the brain, and other similar games, that encourage the use of math and memory to try to predict the best move each round. There are also complex mind puzzles that have you using your brain and fingers to try to undo pieces of the puzzle, using trial and error to find the solution to each complex problem.

But no matter what your chosen brain or memory game is, just remember that just having the puzzles and games around is not enough to take advantage of their benefits. That is the same as having a home gym that you never use. You must use them regularly on a daily basis, training your memory, strengthening your other cognitive skills, and having fun while doing it. It does not matter if you are a 2 year old with a memory game, a 35 year old with a crossword puzzle, or a 75 year old with a special designed video game, we all need to make sure that we are keeping our minds strong and sharp.

Chapter 2- Keeping the Mind Sharp- 10 Speed Exercises

Speed reading is a valuable skill that many people utilize to double the words per minute that they read from an average of two hundred fifty words per minute to an average of five hundred words per minute. It can be an asset for those who often have to read lengthy documents or policy for their careers as it provides them with additional time for other tasks and helps them view the big picture of the content that they read. Here are ten exercises to help you learn to speed read and the reasons why each one is effective.

Learn to Chunk Words: Chunking is a process that entails looking at groups of words rather than just reading one word at a time. Most people already utilize this skill to an extent but it is important to take note of how many words you currently chunk then try to increase that number. This process helps you speed read because it eliminates time that is wasted focusing on individual words and rather puts the emphasis on groups of words or chunks.

Train Your Eyes: Eyes are able to look at and focus on just over one and a half inches of a line of text but the majority of people who read do not use this to their advantage. Use a ruler while reading to take note of how much space on the page you actually look at while reading and try to view an entire one and a half inches of space. This is a beneficial exercise because it trains the eye to move quickly and see more of the content.

Practice in the Morning: When training yourself to speed read, be sure to practice in the morning as much as possible. The reason that this is important is that studies have shown our brains are better able to concentrate and focus in the mornings. Once you have become a successful speed reader you will be able to read at any time of day but while in the learning stages, mornings are ideal.

Use a Prop: A variety of props can be helpful when learning to speed read. For example, a pointer of some sort such as a pen or pencil will help guide the eyes. This forces the eyes to keep up with the brain and in turn makes speed reading possible. Another helpful prop is an index card or piece of paper to keep the eyes focused on one line while quickly dragging it down the page. This again ensures that the eyes keep up with the brain to become an effective speed reader.

Keep Track of Progress: Another important exercise when learning to speed read is tracking progress. This is because it is hard to know whether you have increased your words per minute speed without keeping an accurate record of where you started and where you ended. Setting goals is a proven way to motivate one to increase their dedication to learning a new task.

Improve Your Concentration: Concentration is vital when learning to speed read. Improve your concentration by removing all external distractions and avoiding multi-tasking. Internal distractions may also be a problem if you are unable to focus on the material. Improving concentration is an effective exercise because speed readers often lack the ability to comprehend material when they are not focused or have not practiced speed reading techniques often enough to eliminate both internal and external distractions.

Avoid Regression: Regression is something that many speed readers do when they first begin to speed read. It is when you “miss” a word then go back to reread that word. It is important to train your eyes and your brain to simply skip the word instead of regress back to read it. Overall understanding can still easily be reached even if you miss an occasional word while reading. Regression is a waste of time so it is vital to avoid while learning to speed read.

Skim or Preview: Skimming or previewing the material prior to reading is an effective speed reading exercise. This is because it provides the reader with an overview of the big picture so they are not as focused on the word for word details as they might be if they did not skim the material first. Take a look at large headings and opening sentences as a way to increase comprehension and improve your reading speed.

Keep Your Mouth Closed: A lot of people read words out loud or mouth the words without intending to do so. This is hugely detrimental to speed readers because it trains the brain to focus on just one word at a time rather than chunking the words as discussed in the first tip. While reading, make a point to keep your mouth shut at all times so you are not tempted to mouth the words or read them out loud.

Do Not Highlight or Take Notes: It may seem quite obvious that highlighting and note taking are not components of speed reading but a lot of people make the mistake of using these tools. If a reading task requires either one of these components then it is not a task for speed reading. Highlighting and taking notes distract the reader which makes it more difficult for them to focus on the aforementioned techniques.

Most of us read quite a bit each and every day. We may read e-mails or reports at work, books and magazines for pleasure at home, and a wide variety of signs, memos, and posts throughout the average day. Keeping this in mind, speed reading can be a cherished skill to possess. Practice the ten aforementioned exercises over and over again as a way to increase your reading speed as well as your overall comprehension of the text. This is a skill that can be used by many people in many different professions but it requires extensive practice and willingness to learn.

Chapter 3- Brain and Memory Games- 10 Numerical Exercises

Numerical exercises can be very useful tools and they have been used for decades. There are several kinds of numerical exercises. These exercises are mainly used to test a person’s ability and overall performance.

First, there are exercises that analyze the long term effect of physical exercise on adolescents. This exercise essentially chooses a number of children between ages 11 and 13 to analyze the benefits of exercise over a prolonged period of time. Hopefully this exercise will teach young people the importance of daily exercise and weight control.

Basically, the exercise analysis proved to have positive benefits on adolescents psychological and mental well being. Many adolescents and teenagers in today's society are overweight. In addition, prolonged exercise can result in higher self-esteem among a select group of adolescents. Therefore, this exercise analysis has many positive results for many people.

The Euler Method was designed to help a student find numerical solutions. This method presents the various differences between numerical quantities and how they are used and applied. The Euler Method focuses on how to reach a specific value of X. This method is useful to those who pursue a career which involves upper level mathematics as well as science. The Euler Method has been used for a number of years.

Improving Test Scores is another example of a useful numerical exercise. This exercise teaches a person that numerical reasoning can be reached only through applying specific strategies and perspectives within a timely fashion. An exercise related to helping improve test scores will challenge concentration and overall mathematical ability. Although, intelligence level normally remains the same it has been proven that test scores of certain individuals can improve over a period of time.

Finding Roots of Polynomials is an example of a numerical exercise geared toward improving a person’s math ability. Essentially polynomials teach us that the real number X is always equal to a. Polynomials have linear factors that can only be found through certain numerical methods. This exercise also experiments with large polynomials and their various applications. Polynomials and their properties are considered to be upper level mathematics. However, basic applications of polynomials are now taught as part of a general mathematical curriculum.

Percentages are a good example of a numerical exercise. Percentages are taught to students as part of a basic mathematical curriculum. Percentages are helpful when attempting to find differences between various numerical quantities. Percentages also help make fractions easier to solve in some cases. Percentages are generally referred to as basic mathematics which is usually taught to students in elementary school.

Psychometric Testing are useful tools which measure a person’s true mental abilities. In order to do well with a test of this nature you must prepare well in advance. A test of this nature should prepare the person to give positive, impacting and effective presentations. Psychometric testing focuses a great deal on personality traits and overall educational abilities. In addition, a great deal of time is spent on the construction of instrument as well as procedures for measurement. This exercise is also designed to sharpen a person’s motor skills and ability.

Thermoluminescence Techniques are used in many dating applications as well as the analysis of TL data. Thermoluminescence is taught as part of a curriculum for students studying for a career in advanced science, research technology and medicine. Thermoluminescence is a form of Luminescence which is characterized by crystalline materials and some minerals. Applications of this nature can be quite difficult and are normally reserved for those who have demonstrated above average performance in mathematics.

Thermoluminescence has proven to be a useful tool in the analysis of sand migration. Thermoluminescence has been used extensively when studying radiation as well as its long term effects. We know today that radiation can cause cancer after prolonged exposure.

Verbal and Numerical Reasoning Exercises are helpful when recruiting new officers of the law. Many police academies use verbal and numerical reasoning tests when seeking new police recruits. This exercise can accurately access a person’s overall ability to solve problems within a timely manner. In addition, exercises of this nature can easily access mental or psychological abilities. Police work is stressful and can cause depression for some officers therefore; this is an extremely useful exercise to give beforehand. This exercise is given many times in conjunction with psychological counseling.

The ability to communicate in an effective manner is critical for almost any job or profession. Verbal and numerical testing can quickly identify one’s ability to effectively communicate with a person of authority. Some people have difficulty relating to a person who is in authority.

Beginner Numerical Exercises are often used to access general verbal and mathematical abilities. A beginner exercise discusses variables, data variation, numerical operations and random number generation. This exercise is very basic and it is still used widely today mainly for pre-employment screening purposes. This exercise is very similar to a numerical reasoning test. This test is considered very basic which could prove to be ideal for those who find difficulty in upper level mathematics.

Numerical Exercises in Calculus is an exercise in upper level mathematics. Calculus focuses a great deal on derivative numbers, mean value and linearization. Calculus is an advanced mathematics that is normally required for those studying for a career in science, medicine and engineering. Exercises in calculus teach the person various applications of limits and continuity, derivatives as well as definite integrals. In addition, calculus also introduces infinite numbers and mathematics pertaining to parametric vector. Mathematics of this nature can prove to be very difficult to the average person. Therefore, mathematics of this nature is normally reserved for those with a better than average math ability.

There are various numerical exercises that are still used today. These exercises were originally designed to test ones intellectual ability and mental performance. Many employers use numerical exercises as a means of choosing the best qualified for a particular job position. These exercises can include or exclude a person seeking a job within a particular industry.

Chapter 4- Brain and Memory Games- 10 Word Puzzles

Imagine that each son in a family has an equal number of brothers and sisters. Each daughter has two times the number of brothers as sisters. How many daughters and sons are in the family?

John steps on a scale and weighs 120 pounds. Jane steps on the scale and weighs 100 pounds. When they step on the scale together, they weigh 210 pounds. Upon examining the scale, they found the zero point was set incorrectly. Is the reading on the scale too high or is it too low?

Two clocks are set at noon. One clock gains five minutes each hour. The other loses five minutes each hour. At what time will the two clocks show an hour difference in time?

Susan is the middle runner in a race. Danielle is in 10th place and slower than Susan. Linda is in 16th place. How many runners are in the race?

A man drives to work at an average speed of 50 miles per hour. It takes an hour and 15 minutes to arrive. Going home, he also drives at an average speed of 50 miles per hour. It takes 75 minutes. Explain how this is possible.

One container has peaches; a second has pears, and a third both peaches and pears. All of the containers have been labeled incorrectly. Is it possible to pick one piece of fruit from a container and determine the correct labels without looking inside the containers?

I am the sister of a piano player. I do not have any sisters. How is this possible?

A man fails to stop at a stop sign. Realizing he left his driver's license at home, he drives three blocks down a one-way street. Why wasn’t he stopped by a policeman?

How many rotations does a penny revolve, when it is rolled around the edge of another penny lying flat on a surface?

There are 10 green and 10 red ornaments in a drawer. Without looking, how many ornaments must be taken out to be assured of having two of the same color? How many have to be taken out to assure two ornaments are different in color?

There is a great deal of controversy over a precise definition of intelligence. Individuals who score high on an IQ test may have little aptitude for matters that are defined as common sense. Simple solutions may escape them, but complex theories in science can be easily explained.

Being smart can mean possessing knowledge. To some, the lack of ability to reason and apply that knowledge is not considered smart. There are arguments that intelligence has multiple facets versus a general intelligence theory.

Brain training is meant to improve memory, attention, speed, flexibility and problem solving.

Memory builders including remembering an object's location, recalling a name after being introduced, quick and accurate learning of new subject matter, and simultaneously keeping track of more than one idea.

Attention training deals with staying focused on tasks for lengthy periods of time, improving precision and production, maintaining concentration while learning something new, and avoiding distractions.

Puzzles that have individuals monitor two information streams simultaneously are called dual n-back tests. One source of information is auditory. The other is visual. Pressing a key is required when an established target from one or both streams is presented. Attention must be split between the two output channels. Designers of these tests believe that being able to improve attention control will improve intelligence.

Improved ability to complete tasks within a set time frame has caused adjustments to be made to IQ tests. As more time is spent in formal educational settings, education becomes improved. Every 10 to 15 years IQ tests are made more difficult.

Speed concepts include making time-sensitive decisions, increasing cognitive processing, speed, making adaptations to environment changes, and quick reactions.

Improving flexibility makes it easier to communicate clearly, think outside of normal parameters, avoid making mistakes, and quickly and efficiently multi-task.

Problem Solving aspects are dissection of complex information, estimations made accurately, mental calculations, and determination of the best course of action.

Theories on improving brain function are often quickly embraced because people are looking for easy ways to improve intelligence. The brain performs more functions than creating and thinking. Motor functions like breathing, balance, and movement are also controlled by the brain. Neurons in the brain work together to absorb, process, store, and recall information. This happens unconsciously.

Reasoning test scores are thought to be improved with training. A study was conducted that had subjects watch patterns that changed down columns or across rows. An inference needed to be formulated to describe the changes. Four groups were formed. One group underwent 12 training sessions. A second group was presented with 17 sessions. The third group attended 19 training sessions. A control group had no training after the initial test. When retested, groups with training fared better than those without training. The longer training sessions produced the highest scores. The findings were proportional. More training meant better scores.

It should be noted that some researchers disputed the results. Those disputers conducted a similar battery of tests. Adjustments were in the number of tests completed initially. "No contact" returnees revealed the same results as the original test. However, the findings questioned the claim of more training yielding better scores.

Aging, without neuron growth in the hippocampus, causes the brain to deteriorate. Keeping active is believed to prevent deterioration. Enriched environments that provide stimuli from toys and games have been compared to physical exercise. Neuron growth was measured to determine results.

Testing was done with mice. Exercise provided two to six times more neurogenesis in mice versus those that did not exercise. Environmental stimuli seemed to have no effect on neuron growth. The study leads to speculation, that neurons spawned by activity, helps with memory and learning more than specific learning activities.

Regardless of theory, nearly all researchers agree that exercise for the body and exercise for the mind are equally important.

Chapter 5- Brain and Memory Games- 10 Memory Puzzles

There are all sorts of different ways to stay fit, and although many of these activities focus around your body and the way it looks, it is also important for you to exercise the way your mind works as well. This is going to keep your mind healthy and prevent the signs of different mental conditions. This way, you are able to stay sharp and focused, no matter how old you are or what you do during the rest of your day.

Braid

This is a game you can play on your mobile Smartphone or tablet, and it combines both puzzle logic with that of a platform video game, so it makes it incredibly entertaining and one of the most desired brain games on a mobile device. You are going to have different tools throughout the game, and you need to figure out how to combine these items in order to progress through it. It isn't like other point and click adventure games, but it keeps your brain thinking and working through problems in order to complete it. It isn't tricky or extremely difficult. , but it does keep you on your toes.

Solitaire

This is the classic card game that, while you can play it with your own deck of cards, it might just be easier to play it on a computer or phone somewhere. This game helps you count fast and match items. It also works with your eye coordination, as you have to be able to see the matches in order to progress through the game. Whether you do one card draws or three card craws, this is an excellent game for staying sharp and passing the time.

Crossword Puzzles

You don't need a digital device to complete all these puzzles. This is an oldie but goodie. With a pencil and the crossword puzzle, you can rack your brain, and possibly the brain of your neighbor, in order to complete the task. Chances are you are going to be thinking hard and trying to determine what the clues mean, in order to answer many of these questions.

Sudoku

This number game forces your brain to look through rows of numbers, in order to make sure it does not appear in any nine number square, nine digital row, or nine digit column. There is generally only one way to win each game, and it requires you to stay on top of the game and to be continually thinking and processing the information. It keeps your brain engaged the entire time, so you really can't stop thinking about the game, or else you are going to mess up.

Portal and Portal 2

This is one of the most popular computer and video game puzzle games of all time, so if you enjoy technology and video game systems, this is an excellent option for you. In the game, you create portals into surfaces that allow you to interact with different rooms and locations. You have to create the portal accurately in order to interact with the material and items in a completely different room; otherwise the entire campaign is not going to work. This tests the logic aspect of your brain and forces you to see things that are going to happen, before it happens.

Angry Birds

Yes, while it is one of the most popular applications of all time, it is also a great way to test your brain. This is because the game uses physics in order to determine where your birds fly, especially in the "Angry Birds: Space" and "Angry Birds: Star Wars" versions. You have to alter the flight path of your bird in order to circle planets and asteroids, and if you don't do it at just the right angle, it is not going to work at all. This is a fun game for all ages, and it requires you to process all information in the game in order to be successful.

Flashcards

Flashcards basically has you place a bunch of cards face down on the ground (there are also applications for this) and you are able to flip up two cards at a time. If the cards match, you remove them, but if they don't, you have to flip them back over. Often times this is timed. With this game, it forces you to work on your short term memory as you try to recall the placement of different images and symbols you just saw a few moments ago.

Rubix Cube

This might be the ultimate memory puzzle game, and also a game individuals boast about beating. Completing a rubix cube is difficult, and challenging, as it forces you to use logic in a three dimensional plane, in order to prove successful. If you can't, than you won't be able to complete it.

Simon Says

There are games where "Simon" tells you to perform several tasks in a row. It starts off with one task, and then it builds up from there. This is going to test your short term memory and determine how long you can go, all without messing up. There are some games there use this practice and utilize lights, sounds and colors, to see if you are able to remember this. It can be difficult, challenging and fun, all at the same time, in order to see if you can follow through with it.

Trivial Pursuit

This is just a fun game that is going to test your knowledge of current affairs, movies, sports and any other trivia you might not know. This is an excellent game to play with friends, and while you might think of it as a memory puzzle, it is forcing you to use areas of your memory you probably haven't in a long time. You might have learned these questions back in high school or in passing, and the game forces you to try and recall the game answers, in order to ensure you are able to complete the task and answer the question.

Chapter 6- Brain and Memory Games- 10 Brain Teaser Puzzles

The mind is singularly the most important part of any person. It is an organ that controls every other function of the body. Without it, individuals would cease to function and would be unable to complete even the simplest of tasks. The strength of any muscle, tissue, or organ in our body is determined by the amount of time we dedicate to using that part. For example, the more we use our arms to lift objects, the stronger they become.

The mind is no exception to this idea. That is why it is important for people to continually challenge their brain through daily practice of “neurobatics,” a phrase coined by the late Lawrence Katz, a neurologist whose works are associated with the Duke University Medical Center. Different neurobatic activities would include: reading, brainteasers, puzzles, yoga, meditation, and much more.

What Lawrence Katz found is that if one was to use the non-dominant hand to perform simple, daily tasks, is that they could strengthen pathways to the side of the brain that was correlated with their weaker hand. This proves that people are not constrained to the limitations or barriers that their mind may place upon a less dominate section. This proves that people are able to improve upon the functionality of certain areas of the brain if they are to exercise these parts on a more frequent basis. Furthermore, Katz believed that if one were to engage in puzzles, brainteasers, and even just let their mind wander on occasion, they would access certain parts of the brain that are not regularly used. Strengthening these parts of the brain is essential for individuals to function more sharply and even prevent or negate the negative side effects that aging and stress play upon our minds.