Scientists at the University of California's Berkeley campus have recently concluded that there is a direct link between the regular mental exercise of things like puzzles and mental well being, much like the link with physical exercise and physical health. They looked at 65 healthy elderly people, whose average age was 76, and found that those who kept mentally active with reading or puzzles tended to lower amounts of a destructive protein linked to Alzheimer's disease, than those who were less mentally active.
If you like keep mentally active there are loads of websites these days dedicated to online puzzles and games that actively promote mental wellbeing. Typically they are short, fun puzzles and games that can be played anywhere and anytime you have a few spare minutes.
Here are three of the best ones.
LUMOSITY
With over 14 million subscribers and counting Lumosity is Fast becoming the leader in this field. It's an online puzzles and games site that offers brain fitness programs that are both entertaining and challenging. They focus on the following cognitive areas: Speed; memory; attention; problem-Solving and flexibility.
You can choose a particular mental attribute and focus on that, or indeed just go for a general workout with all of the areas. It really is a gym for the mind. The brains behind this great website is Lumus Labs, a neuroscience research and development company. There are a few complimentary sample puzzles but to get full benefit you will have to take out a subscription for a small cost.
FIT BRAINS
Hot on the heels of Lumosity are Fit Brains, again the brainchild of a private research lab called Vivity. It follows the same pattern as Lumosity with a basic no fee subscription that can be upgraded to use all of the features.
This online puzzles and games website offers brain training games for improving your memory, concentration, visual perception and also word skills. They offer detailed instructions and you also have the ability to choose your skill level. On every page Fit Brains includes a list of life benefits the brain game provides and the particular brain skills it targets. There is an ipad and an Android app on offer as well.
COGNIFIT
Last in our roundup of online puzzles and games websites that help mental wellbeing are CogniFit, who again have a limited and premium account. The brain games on offer focus on several components including: Response time; divided attention; hand-eye coordination; visual short-term memory; working memory and spatial perception.
They have a bit less of a selection of games than the other big players in this field but they do have other advantages. The site continually monitors your performance and gives you regular reports meaning that no matter how well or badly you do in the puzzles you will always be pushed. The site also has great look and is very user friendly with a social media element that allows you to make friends and share information, very reminiscent of Facebook. An ipad and iphone app is also available.
Well that's the round up. These websites can really help you so why not give one of them a go for a fun way to ensure your mental well being.
