Brain Training for Better Mental Health: Strategies and Tools for Success
Have you ever found yourself scrolling through your phone late at night (crushing some candies or trying to beat your solitaire record), only to come across an ad for a brain training game that promises to keep your mind sharp and your memory strong? These apps and games claim to offer a fun and engaging way to exercise your brain and even keep you young. But do they really work, or are they just another passing trend?
In this article, we'll take a closer look at brain training and explore what the science has to say about its effectiveness. We'll examine some of the most popular brain training apps and games, and discuss what research has found about their ability to improve cognitive function and promote brain health. So, whether you're a fan of brain training or simply curious about its potential benefits, read on to learn more about this growing trend and what it could mean for your brain health.
What Is Brain Training?
Brain training refers to a set of activities or exercises designed to improve cognitive abilities, such as memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.
Just as weightlifting enhances your physical muscles, mental strength and agility are generally developed through exercises that allow you to flex your cognitive muscles. Brain training activities often involve tasks that require mental effort, such as solving puzzles, completing memory tasks, or practicing mindfulness exercises. Some brain training programs also incorporate physical exercise, such as aerobic activity or yoga, which have been shown to improve cognitive function.
Does it really pay off to train your brain?
No matter your age, to maintain a healthy lifestyle and achieve your desired results, you must exercise your body and mind regularly.
You can increase your mental alertness, learn new things, and challenge yourself by performing brain training exercises regularly, and there may be mental health benefits associated with brain training as well. While the effects of cognitive training on mental health outcomes are still being studied, research suggests that regularly engaging in brain teasers, puzzles, and challenges can reduce stress and anxiety, reduce rumination, and help improve self-esteem. This can be especially beneficial for those suffering from mental health conditions or individuals who frequently experience depression or anxiety.
What are the Different Types of Brain Training Exercises?
So, just how do you train your brain? Various methods are available for this purpose, however, most brain training apps and platforms differ in the types of activities they offer and the amount of customization they provide. For example, as part of a brain training exercise, you might be asked to complete a series of puzzles or quizzes that target different areas of your brain, giving you a chance to improve your cognitive and executive functioning skills (such as your ability to problem-solve). These exercises aim to strengthen your brain's neural pathways and support neuroplasticity, which is the idea that the brain is malleable, meaning it can be changed through experience at any age. As a result, exercise may help you improve your memory recall, enhance your attention span, think faster, and make better decisions. A few of the most common brain exercises are listed below.
Memory training: Exercises typically involve memorizing lists of words, numbers, or associations. Following that, you test your ability to recall those items. All of these exercises claim to improve your recall speed, recall accuracy, and how much you can remember at one time.
Logical reasoning training: Activities usually require identifying relationships between different items or objects. For example, you may need to figure out which item does not “fit” into a given series of items. Exercises like this are supposed to improve your analytical skills and improve your ability to think clearly.
Problem-solving training: Generally, training involves working through a puzzle or problem. Crossword puzzles, Sudokus, and logic puzzles are all examples of problem-solving exercises. You might improve your ability to think critically and develop creative solutions through these exercises.
Attention training: Despite distractions, these activities require you to pay attention and focus on a specific task. Examples of attention exercises include concentration games and visual memory exercises. These training exercises may help you improve your focus and concentration, which will be beneficial in various situations.
Tips for Choosing the Right Brain Training Program
Researching the right brain training program is essential to getting the desired results and keeping you motivated to keep learning. So before deciding whether to sign up for a long-term subscription, take advantage of the free trial feature to see if it's for you. Here are some tips to remember when deciding:
Activity Variety: Look for programs that offer activities and tasks from different domains. A well-designed program should tap into many aspects of cognitive functioning, like language, mathematics, problem-solving, and logic. Unfortunately, too many programs focus solely on memory. Still, cognitive improvements also depend on other factors, such as speed and accuracy. Therefore, we suggest you look for a program that offers activities in all these areas.
Customization: A high-quality brain training program will allow users to customize their experience by adjusting the difficulty level based on their skills and objectives. The advantage of this is that you'll be able to work at a challenging yet achievable level, regardless of whether you're a novice or an experienced user.
Progress tracking: It would help if you tracked what you learn and how far you can go in each session to see your progress over time. With a comprehensive program, you can track your progress - like how you're doing compared to others - and see how you're improving. Furthermore, look for programs that provide feedback on your successes and failures so that the difficulty level can be adjusted accordingly.
Do Brain Training Apps Really Work?
But do these apps work? Or are the benefits of brain training too good to be true?
The good news is that, yes, some research suggests that brain training apps can help improve cognitive function; although, we suggest you proceed with caution at just how effective the results may be.
By engaging in specific tasks—like puzzles and games—you can increase the functioning of particular neural pathways, increasing efficiency in thinking and problem-solving. This is especially helpful for individuals with memory loss or cognitive impairments related to dementia or aging. Additionally, research indicates that brain training apps can positively affect mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and stress. Finally, the variety of puzzles and games build skills related to focus and resilience, which can be applied to many areas of life to manage moods and emotions better.
To determine whether a brain training app is right for you, consult your mental health care provider, such as your therapist. They can provide more tailored advice based on your individual needs. If you don’t have a therapist, check out our guide on what to look for in a therapist here: https://www.resilienceakron.com/blog/what-to-look-for-in-a-therapist
Create the Life You Want for Yourself with Resilience Counseling in Akron, OH
Brain training apps are also just one part of a holistic approach—eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep and exercise, joining support groups, forming healthy relationships (with yourself and others), all make up part of an overall approach that's beneficial for your mental health. While small hits of dopamine for a puzzle solved or a job well done can go a long way to increase your self esteem, working with a therapist to address the underlying factors is a more effective long-term solution.
If you seek a better understanding of your mental health needs or wish to improve your mental health, a therapist may also be an excellent choice. Feel free to reach out today for more information about how you can create the life you want.
For more reading:
Why Therapy Is the Secret Ingredient to a More Fulfilling Life