The short answer is: Let’s hope so.
Northeast Ohio Boomer magazine runs a brain game in each issue. Our resident expert on maintaining a healthy aging brain through games is Kathleen Kilpatrick. She creates and generously shares her puzzles with our readers through her Brain Games column each issue. She includes helpful tips and other activities that keep our brains sharp. The good news is, you can do simple things to improve your brain function and memory.
It seems like word games have grown in popularity over the years. They’re a fun and easy way to stay entertained.
“My idea about those types of word games is, if you enjoy them and they’re giving you a challenge, so you can’t do it on auto-pilot, you really need to think about it, then it’s really serving you a good purpose in terms of supporting your brain health for life,” says Jessica Caldwell, PhD, neuropsychologist for Cleveland Clinic.
Dr. Caldwell says there is no minimum or maximum time you should be playing those kinds of word games. What matters more is playing them on a regular basis. If you’re not into word games, there are plenty of other options out there that can give you the same kind of health benefits. For example, you could do a tough crossword puzzle or play another kind of puzzle game. You could even watch a documentary or read a book and then have an in-depth conversation about it with a friend.
Dr. Caldwell says, anything that gives you a learning experience or cognitive challenge is what’s most important.
“In order to keep your memory and your thinking sharp, the key is really challenge and learning. Those are the only ways that you’re really actually exercising your brain, you’re growing new neural pathways, you’re supporting the old neural pathways, so the key is you can’t just be busy,” she says.
Dr. Caldwell says, if you feel like you’re not great at word games, don’t be too hard on yourself. It could be worth trying something else that is more enjoyable for you.
Look for our Brain Games section in the May/June issue of Northeast Ohio Boomer. It should be out by May 20. Want to try some now? Go to our website and search for Brain Games. We have dozens posted online. Don’t forget to cover up the answers that we provide with each puzzle while you’re playing each game.
