I Forgot Day: Fun ways to train your memory
July 2nd is “I forgot day”, a day dedicated to forgetfulness. Did you know that board games and puzzles can help improve your memory? The mental stimulation by playing games, solving puzzles, holding conversations, and reading is associated with better memory. In light of this day, we researched how board and puzzle games can improve your memory. Time to exercise your brain!
Stress reduction
Did you know that being under a lot of stress can affect your memory? Stress usually causes concentration problems and reduces our capacity to memorize, making it more difficult to remember things accurately or even at all. Board games are a great way to relax a bit and can help release positive endorphins and dopamine. Endorphins are believed to be a reaction to stress and help relieve it a little bit. When you win a game or solve difficult challenges, your body will release dopamine, making you feel happy and relaxed. So, take some time for yourself and play a game to improve your memory! For adults, we would recommend our IQ range, like IQ Stixx, IQ Fit or IQ Twins.
Focus and concentration
Your ability to focus and concentrate plays a big role on how you store data in your brain. Increasing your attention span and learning how not to get too distracted are key to improving your memory. A couple of single player game that really needs you to focus and help you practice concentration is IQ Mini. The challenges of this IQ game need you to focus for a short while to solve them. If you are already able to focus for longer periods of time, you might want to switch to more difficult games like Diamond Quest, Horse Academy or Colour Code.
Memory training and strategy
One of the most straight-ahead ways of improving your memory, is to directly train it with memory games like Grabbit. During this family game you need to remember where all vegetables, moles and mice are hidden in order for your rabbits to collect them. Another fun way to train your memory is to play strategic games. Strategic and sequential games force you to think ahead, to remember what moves you want to make, and to not forget moves just done. An example of a strategic duo-player game is Dragon Inferno. Examples of sequential movement puzzle games are Cats & Boxes, Squirrels Go Nuts! and Grizzly Gears.
How do you train your memory? Let us know via @smartgamessocial !
More information and sources
E. Scott (7 October 2021). How Stress Works With and Against Your Memory. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/stress-and-your-memory-4158323
Amir S, Brown ZW, Amit Z (1980). The role of endorphins in stress: evidence and speculations. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. Spring;4(1):77-86. doi: 10.1016/0149-7634(80)90027-5. PMID: 6250104.
Baik, JH (2020). Stress and the dopaminergic reward system. Exp Mol Med 52, 1879–1890. https://doi.org/10.1038/s12276-020-00532-4
C. Schulz, (14 June 2021). The Best Mental Games and Exercises to Improve Memory. Total Brain. https://blog.totalbrain.com/the-best-mental-games-and-exercises-to-improve-memory
