Despite conclusive scientific evidence proving otherwise, we’ve all grown up with the belief that playing video games or staring at a screen for too long will rot the mind. But the truth is that this is simply not the case. However, there is a concern that many of the apps we use on a daily basis don’t challenge our minds as much as they should. So, with that in mind (pun intended), here are a few apps that keep your brain on track and that could even increase your IQ level.
Brain-training games are nothing new. We’ve had a ton of them on the market for quite some time now. In fact, Nintendo DS units sold rather well over the last decade or so, as the older generation bought them with the express intention of keeping their minds active. Now with so many apps on the market to choose from, opting for the best one is a mental workout in and of itself.
With Peak Brain Training you get a tough (but not-too-tough) exercise to do each day and reports telling you how your mental capacity is improving on a daily basis. The challenges are fun and easy to get the hang of, and the idea is that you keep your mind sharp with just a few minutes of games a day. On the other hand, if you prefer something a bit more fun-oriented, then perhaps the next app is more for you.
Card games of any kind are fun to play, but of all the games out there, poker is the one that gives our brains the greatest workout. Many mistakenly assume that this is a game of chance when in fact it’s a highly-strategic game that gives you a real mental workout. In addition to the possibility of winning some cash, poker helps you improve your decision-making skills and your reactions to unexpected situations. Some would even put it on a par with chess. And thanks to major players in the industry embracing the world of mobile gaming, playing on your Android or iOS device is no problem at all.
And speaking of chess, you could also try a decent chess solo app or one that connects you with a community of chess players all looking for a game. Like poker, it’s strategic and will likely force you to use parts of your brain that you haven’t used in a while. Having said that, though, we still prefer the real thing. Playing card games like poker online is fine, but with chess, it’s nice to feel the pieces.
Word games like Scrabble and Words with Friends are also good options that really blow out the cobwebs from your mind by allowing you to think like a student again. You’ll be surprised at how good these apps are at improving your vocabulary as well as your reading comprehension. They’re also good practice for social game nights.
And last, but by no means least, we have the rather exceptional app called Eidetic. This ingenious app helps you remember things in your everyday life, such as phone numbers or pieces of information. You put some info that you want to remember in the app, and then it tests you at regular intervals throughout the day to see if you can remember the information. It’s very clever and is a great help for students prepping for tests.
Download at least one of these apps onto your phone, and the next time you’re waiting for a bus, skip social media and give your brain a quick workout. A quick five-minute session each day could have a hugely-positive impact on the long-term health of your mind. And besides, it’s way more fun than looking at photos of your friend’s dinner.