We all want to maintain our brain health and stay mentally sharp as we age, but things like dementia, Alzheimer’s and the loss of cognitive function are things with which at least some of us will have to contend. There are several steps you can take to reduce the risk of diminishing mental faculties, including staying physically active, sticking to a healthy diet and exercising your brain.
To help you exercise your brain while at home or on the road, here are five apps for your smartphone or tablet that focus on brain training.
1. Lumosity
Lumosity is a brain training application developed by neuroscientists. It allows you to track your progress as you play cognitive games and train your brain to sharpen your memory and ability to focus. The first five sessions are free, so you can try it out before paying for a subscription for ongoing use.
2. Brain Challenge
According to Gameloft (the developer and seller of Brain Challenge), Brain Challenge is a best seller and offers a comprehensive brain-training experience to its users. Forty-three mini games within the app allow you to exercise your brain to enhance your focus, memory, logic, visual and math skills. This one is $4.99, but it is also reportedly one of the most popular apps for exercising your brain.
3. Clockwork Brain and Clockwork Brain Premium
Clockwork Brain is available in nine languages and has a variety of games geared towards flexing your brain cells in the areas of memory, math, language, logic, visual acuity and spatial intelligence. A robot named Sprocket guides you through the games, and you can compete against other players to earn Game Center Achievements. Clockwork Brain is free and offers in-app purchases, or you can spring for Clockwork Brain Premium, which is $2.99.
4. Charge Your Brain HD
Charge Your Brain HD offers 13 mini games in three levels of difficulty: easy, normal and hard. Test your logic, improve focus and challenge your memory skills with this simple app that focuses on making brain exercises fun. The developers state that you will see improvement by playing these games for just five to 10 minutes each day. Charge Your Brain HD is a free app, but it does offer in-app purchases.
5. Brain Bust
This app for brain fitness is best for those who are a bit competitive and are motivated by unlocking achievements, topping leader boards and showing off that they are smarter than their pals. Of course, you can also avoid challenge mode and just work on improving your cognitive skills in solo games. Brain Bust is $1.99 and offers in-app purchases.
Leave a Reply