When I was growing up we didn’t really have games consoles and computers and I spent my time playing outside, reading, playing board games and loved solving logic games and puzzles from puzzle books purchased in the newsagents. Today, I don’t really buy puzzle books anywhere, which is a shame as I used to love them, but do still like to play logic games and puzzles on my phone, tablet, laptop, Xbox and good old fashioned board games / tabletop games. A good brain teaser is a fantastic way to pass the time, but are they any good for the brain or just a fun meaningless activity?
The simple answer is yes to both questions. They are superb for mental exercise as well as being a fun and challenging activity. Logic games and puzzles use different types of mental skills to challenge the brain and help improve various cognitive skills; skills such as deductive reasoning, pattern recognition, spatial awareness, and problem-solving. You exercise your body to keep it in tip-top condition, so it makes sense that exercising the brain will have the same effect. The skills that you use to solve these puzzles, whether it is crosswords, Sudoku, brain teasers, riddles or logic puzzles, are essential for going about your daily life and help you improve reasoning, logic, deduction, critical thinking and decision making. Playing these types of games regularly helps the brain get a good mental workout and can help to strengthen these skills and become more flexible and adaptable.
Playing and solving (or attempting to solve) logic games and puzzles have some excellent benefits for the brain, such as enhancing memory. A good memory is crucial for learning and everyday functioning. Logic games and puzzles can help to improve both short-term and long-term memory, by stimulating the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain responsible for memory formation and consolidation. For example, solving a crossword can help improve verbal memory, while solving a sudoku can help improve numerical memory.
These types of games can also help with other aspects that help with day-to-day life such as:
- Concentration
- Attention
- Creative Thinking
- Logical Thinking
- Problem Solving
Other benefits, as well a giving your brain a mental workout, is that they can help you to relax and even help to reduce the stress of the day. Stress is a physical and emotional response to challenging or threatening situations, and it can have negative effects on health and well-being. Stress needs to be managed as it can impair cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and problem-solving. Solving puzzles and logic games can help to reduce stress by providing a positive distraction from worries and anxieties. Playing such games or solving a brain teaser can help reduce stress by giving your brain a challenge and a sense of achievement.
In conclusion, logic games and puzzles are not just a meaningless activity. Yes, they help pass the time and provide excellent entertainment but they are also beneficial for the brain. They can help improve memory, concentration, and stress levels, as well as other cognitive skills. By playing logic games and puzzles regularly, the brain can stay sharp and healthy throughout your life.
They are a good and fun way to help in children’s development. Playing and solving these types of games, children learn to think logically, analyse information, and make connections between different pieces of information. An excellent way to help them develop their reasoning, critical thinking and cognitive skills.
And they are not just a good resource for children. Adults can take just as much from them and they can play their part in helping to prevent cognitive decline. According to different studies, older adults who regularly take part in solving puzzles such as word or number puzzles, logic puzzles or jigsaws etc. have sharper and more active brains.
Logic games and puzzles can play a part in helping to boost our intelligence. They play a part in helping us to remember things, learn new words, and use logic. In fact, figuring out puzzles can help increase your IQ. They sharpen your brain with logic, reasoning and cognitive skills. Different types of puzzles, logic games and brain teasers activate different parts of your brain, helping you to hone your critical and analytical thinking skills.
So don’t just focus on keeping your body healthy, give your mind a challenging workout too. Logic games and puzzles are exceptional entertainment and keep your mind active and healthy.
Puzzle books and online puzzles are great, but if you want to see what brain teasing board games and tabletop games we have been playing, take a look at our puzzle game reviews by clicking the button below.
If you have any recommendations for games and puzzles that give your brain a good workout, please leave a comment and let us know.