Keeping your brain healthy, especially as you get older, is very important for your health, happiness and wellbeing. One of the best ways to keep your mind stimulated is by exercising your brain with games. Helping to boost mental sharpness and keep memory loss at bay, here are our top 7 brain games for seniors. And the best part? They’re all free!
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Host a trivia night
Playing trivia is a wonderful way to challenge your brain. It’s also very social and a lot of fun! Why not organise a trivia night with your friends? Simply nominate a host, research your trivia topics online, create your teams and select a date. Add a touch of competitiveness to the event with prizes up for grabs for the winning team.
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Play sudoku
Great for improving memory function, Sudoku is a game of logic. It requires you to recognise patterns and think strategically. You can find Sudoku puzzles online, plus there’s one for you to solve in this newsletter! To challenge yourself further, time how long it takes you to solve each sudoku and try and improve your speed.
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Game of mahjong anyone?
Another great brain game for seniors, mahjong is a centuries-old tile-matching game that originated in China. Requiring four players, the aim of mahjong is to make matching sets and pairs. It can get a little competitive but is great for stimulating short-term memory, strategy and focus. It’s also a fantastic way to socialise with others.
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Partners in Pen
This game requires a bag of random objects, paper and pen. Gather your friends then divide them into pairs, sitting back to back. One person takes out an object and describes it to their partner (without saying what it is). Their partner must try and draw it. It’s a great activity to stimulate the brain and enjoy a lot of laughs.
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Opposites day
Ready to switch it up a little? Choose an upcoming day to use your non-dominant hand to complete tasks. So, if you’re right-handed, try eating, brushing your teeth and writing with your left hand! Not only is it a lot of fun, but this exercise also builds new connections between your brain cells.
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Checkmate!
This board game requires strategy, creative thinking and focus. It tests your memory and encourages critical thinking. Making decisions, both visually and analytically, chess develops your brain and improves cognitive ability. You can choose to play online, with another person or at competitive events.
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Be active
Help keep your mind healthy by incorporating exercise into your daily routine. A simple walk can help protect your brain against dementia, yoga helps your balance and makes you feel centred, while tai chi sharpens your mental focus. Go one step further and make it a social outing with friends!
Put simply, memory and cognitive decline doesn’t have to be a part of getting older. And keeping our brains healthy doesn’t have to be boring or time-consuming. Hopefully these 7 brain games for seniors will spark your creativity and inspire you to challenge yourself every day.
