As people age, it is inevitable that their memory declines. However, they can slow down the process. Professor Takari Kumby from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California (USC) in the United States said in an interview with Yahoo Life, "It is normal for memory to decline with age," and added, "But there are some ways to help maintain sharp memory."

Dr. Kumbi said, "Brain games and memory exercises stimulate neural pathways and enhance neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to change and learn. This helps strengthen neural connections and can improve skills and memory capacity," and advised, "Engaging in cognitive challenges can improve cognitive function and potentially delay memory decline."

Dr. Gary Small, Chair of Psychiatry at Hackensack University Medical Center in the United States, said, "There are several studies showing that simple memory exercises can improve age-related memory problems." Dr. Kumby and Dr. Small shared four brain games that help improve memory. Dr. Small said, "Strengthening your memory muscles and developing strategies through these activities can actually bring about change. Especially if you practice consistently over time, the effects are even greater."

Chess = Dr. Gumbi said, "Chess is not only for experts but also excellent for strategic thinking and problem-solving," and "it uses the brain by having players remember the rules, track the positions of the pieces, and anticipate the opponent's moves."

 

Card games = Drawing a deck of cards for poker or rummy has many benefits. Dr. Kumbi said, "Card games are not only fun at social gatherings but also improve memory by requiring players to remember which cards they played and to guess what cards others might have."

 

Crossword puzzles = Crossword puzzles can be challenging, but challenging yourself is important for keeping your brain sharp. A study published in 2022 suggests that they are effective in improving memory and preventing brain atrophy in people with mild cognitive impairment. While filling in the puzzle, various areas of the brain are engaged as you find the appropriate words.

 

Math puzzles, such as Sudoku and other number games, require analytical skills. Dr. Kumbi said, "They help strengthen pattern recognition and problem-solving abilities needed for short-term memory enhancement." According to a study published in 2019, engaging in mentally stimulating activities like number puzzles can improve brain function as people age.

Dr. Small said, "The important thing in such games is to find the right balance," and "It is crucial to find a point that is challenging but not too difficult or too easy. If brain games are too simple, they become boring and fail to stimulate neural circuits. If they are too challenging, they can be frustrating and cause loss of interest."

 

Dr. Kumbi said, "Engaging in brain activity can improve memory even for just 15 to 30 minutes," and added, "Consistency is key. The more frequent and regular the challenge to the brain, the better the results." He also mentioned, "Changing the type of exercise can keep the brain engaged and make the process enjoyable and beneficial."

 

Dr. Small said, "It may vary depending on daily life. People with stimulating and challenging jobs may not need additional mental exercise to keep their brains healthy. It might be better to relax at the end of the day to reduce stress."

 

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Sudoku is so much fun, isn't it?

But is this for a cellphone or something?

They say it doesn't help much when using a computer.

 

They say they prefer paper booklets.