Memory Games That Are Fun for the Whole Family
>> Nov 15, 2017
There's nothing worse than driving to work,
only to realize that you've accidentally left your ID badge at home. We seem to
start forgetting things more and more often with age, from car keys to
important birthdays. This is no coincidence. As early as age 20 our cognitive
capacity begins to deteriorate, especially when it comes to short-term memory.
Working memory, or short-term memory, holds
information in your mind for a short period as you complete a task. It’s what
allows us to remember a phone number as we type it in, or remember what items
we need at the supermarket. As you get older, however, the amount of
information that you can store in this space grows smaller. Once you reach your
senior years, your working memory functions at just a fraction of what it did
in its younger years.
While there’s no way to prevent aging, it is
possible to slow the process down. Sleeping, eating right, and working out all
help to keep the body firing on all cylinders, both mentally and physically.
You can also boost your working memory by engaging in mental exercises each
day. While this might sound like a chore, it doesn’t have to be. It’s easy to
turn your brain-training sessions into a game night that’s fun for the whole
family. Not only are mental training exercises beneficial to seniors, but they
can also help kids to improve their performance at school and for parents to
function better at work.
Brain-Training
Apps
In this world of tablets and smartphones,
it’s rare that we find ourselves without access to a screen. You can find
countless fun apps designed to stimulate your mind and improve your memory.
While some games are designed to be single-player, you can also find apps that
include a multiplayer mode.
Not all brain-training apps are equally
effective at improving working memory. There is only one type of game style that’s been shown time and time
again to help boost cognitive capacity. “Dual n-back” games give your memory an intense workout by forcing you to
concentrate and keep track of intricate patterns for prolonged periods of time.
Card
and Board Games
Always a classic, card and board games are an
excellent way to stimulate your brain in the company of loved ones. Games that
rely on visual memory are particularly good at helping to sharpen short-term
mental skills, including family favorites such as Uno, Go Fish, Battleship, and
more. These games are easy enough for young players to grasp but complicated
enough to give your brain a quality workout.
Puzzles
Another time-tested classic, puzzles of all varieties can
help you to expand your mental capacity. Traditional puzzles not only work out
your visual memory but also help to build your concentration. If you're into
wordplay, you can get the family to help out with puzzles such as crosswords
and word searches, or for families with older children, challenge everyone to a
Sudoku competition. Better yet, puzzles are cheap and portable, so you can
bring the fun with you wherever you go.
Improving your working memory as you grow
older doesn’t have to be a solitary activity. You can make things a little bit
more exciting by getting the whole family involved and turning your
brain-training exercises into games that are fun for all age groups.
0 komentar:
Post a Comment