Brain Training Games

News Flash: You have conscious control over your mind and how it works. In the past couple decades, numerous different studies have shed light on our ability to actively shape our minds. While there is still some disagreement amongst neurosceintists on the subject, most now believe that brain training is not only possible, but extremely important and powerful. Higher-functioning brains mean a greater quality of life and a better chance at avoiding dementia and other forms of mental decline as we age. So what's the best way to train your brain?

Recently, much of buzz around brain-training has centered around games. Brain games are very promising as brain-training tools as they are an excellent way for you to exercise cognitive functions that you have little opporunity to use in your day-to-day life. Well-designed brain games are also customizable, allowing users to play them at a difficulty appropriate for each individual. Furthermore, they are usually fun, meaning you are more focused while playing them and more likely to use them regularly. These days, there are thousands of different brain games spread across the internet, but luckily for you I have compiled a list of the best resources for brain training games.

Before I get to that though, let me take one more second to convince you that all this brain training talk is for real. It's easy to hear something like that and dismiss it as some fringe, cult-like belief promulgated by self-improvement gurus in self-help books; I know that's how I viewed it for a long time. So let me take one moment to introduce you to our great friend and ally in this process, neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to rewire itself in response to new stimuli. If you were to study the minds of a theoretical mathematician, a football player, and a filmmaker you would find that they are organized differently and skilled in differenr ways. But these differences are not so much a result of genetical variations as they are a product of the environment that these brains occupy. Every time a filmmaker studies a film, her mind is sculpted by that experience. Every time a mathematician is exposed to a new proof, his mind is shaped by the new idea. In general, the organization and capabilites of our minds is constantly changing in response to our thoughts and experiences, and since we often have contol over what we do and what we choose to think about, this means we have the ability to consciously train our minds.

Ok, I think you are just about ready to play. If so, you will want to check out on the the following sites that offer free games to exercise your mind. It's possible that I have spent more time researching online brain games than anyone else in the world, so I assure you that these represent the cream of the crop:

• playwithyourmind.com - Play With Your Mind offers 100+ original brain games and mind puzzles, along with a brain fitness program, memory exercises and other valuable information about brain training, neuroplasticity and mental fitness.
• Brain Training 101 - This is a clean and well organized site that has compiled a nice collection of brain games from different sources across the web. Also offers brain-training How To's and other articles.
• ActiBrain - ActiBrain offers a bunch of simple yet effective brain exercises based on their line of PC brain training games. You can play a number of them for free, or subscribe for access to additional games.
• Fit Brains - Fit Brains offers exercises in Language, Memory, Concentration, Visual-Spatial Skills and Executive Function
• Braingle - Braingle offers a huge number of brainteasers, logic puzzles and riddles to exercise your mind.
• Brain Training Games - A diverse collection of original games and exercises to train your brain and improve your mental fitness

Perhaps you've left this page already, but if not, let me offer you one last little piece of guidance for getting the most of your brain training sessions. It's not always enough just to pick out a random game, start playing it, and then instantly become smarter. The games you choose, and how you play them will determine how much you benefit from your exercise. Keep the following in mind:

• Choose a game outside of your comfort zone - It may be more fun to choose games that play to your strengths, but it's probably not as beneficial. Select games that challenge you in ways your job or hobbies do not.
• Make sure the game gets harder as you improve - You want to be playing at a level that is neither too hard nor too easy for maximum benefit
• Have fun - The more fun you are having, the more likely you are to be attentive during the game, and the more likely you are to return for more practice
• Play regularly - You'll notice a lot more improvement if you play short, frequent sessions rather than infrequent, prolonged ones.
• For more tips on this subject, check out this advice on brain training with brain games.

Here are a few other links and resources on the topic if you care to read more:

The above discussion focuses primarily on free brain games, playable on the internet.  If you are looking for something a little more structured and scientifically designed, you might want to check look into a brain fitness program.  Such programs offer a variety of games and exercises to workout your brain and often allow you to customize difficulty.  Check out my other hub on brain fitness programs.