Brain Games

Today Claire Gunnels and Patsy Brautigam got our neurons firing with games and activities to keep our brains active and potentially increase intelligence. Claire referenced Dan Hurley's book, Smarter: The New Science of Building Brain Power, where he went on a quest to increase his own intelligence using a variety of methods.

First off, the group discussed a number of "old school" activities to increase brain power:

• Crossword puzzles
• Sudoku
• Memorizing poetry
• Memorizing phone numbers
• Reading fiction
• Learning a new language
• Drawing or coloring
• Exercise
• Meditation
• Drinking coffee
• Learning to play a musical instrument

Claire and Patsy also showed us a number of online and video games available:

• Brain Games at AARP.org
• Brainspade.com
• Fit Brains Trainer (also available as an app for Apple and Android devices)
• Lumosity.com- Free trial version is available, there is a monthly fee for full access
• N-Back game at http://brainworkshop.sourceforge.net/ 
• Big Brain Academy- video game for Nintendo Wii systems

No matter which method you choose, make sure you're challenging yourself!