Are you struggling to boost your productivity at work or trying to do better at school? One of the biggest killers of brainpower is stress and anxiety. According to research published in Molecular Psychiatry, chronic stress can result in long-term changes in the brain. These changes can lead to a weak memory, loss of focus and the person can even experience early signs of Alzheimer’s.
Maintaining psychological well-being is important to make sure that your brain functions in optimal health. A great way to promote better mental health is to participate in stress-reducing activities like exercise or socializing with friends and family. What’s more, research proves that brain training apps or braintests can help improve cognitive function. According to a 2013 study published in PLOS One, people who used brain training apps regularly demonstrated improvements in overall brain function, memory and information processing speed.
Today, we have compiled a list which includes five tried and tested brain training apps that can help you improve your brain health and cognitive function while having fun:
1- Lumosity
This app is one of the most highly rated brain training apps on the app stores. A staggering number of 90 million people have downloaded the app on their phones, which means there is something about this app which really promises results.
Once you download the app, the first thing you are required to do is complete a ‘Fit Test’ to see your baseline score. Your results will then determine the amount of daily brain workout you need to do. You can then choose from a plethora of brain games such as puzzles, memory games, problem-solving and logic games and so on.
Play these games against the clock and beat your previous records. The developers of Luminosity say that only one session a day can improve your mental skills. You can even track your progress and compete with friends for even more fun!
2- Elevate
While Elevate may not have as many downloads as Luminosity, it is still a very popular brain training app among people. In fact, Elevate was awarded the best iPhone app in 2014. So, let’s take a look at which features make it stand out from other brain training apps.
The app contains an exciting combination of 40 minigames that are designed to boost various cognitive skills such as math, speaking skills, memory, focus, attention span, and information processing speed.
According to the developers of Elevate, the more you train with this app, the more you will notice your cognitive skills improving. Regular training sessions will increase self-confidence, productivity, and critical skills.
Elevate also provides a regular rundown of your overall performance and maintains a track of your progress in five key areas- writing, listening, speaking, reading, and math.
The basic version of Elevate is free for both Android and iPhone users.
3- Peak
Another award-winning app, Peak was rated as one of the best Android apps by Google in 2016. Peak is an excellent brain training app which has been developed after thorough research of scientists from Yale University and the University of Cambridge, among other renowned institutes.
This app contains more than 30 minigames to improve the concentration, memory, mental agility and problem-solving skills of the player. The best part about this app is that many games are appealing to children and adults alike. For example, a mental agility game known as Turtle Traffic requires the player to navigate a turtle through the sea and collect jellyfish points.
Similar to other brain training apps, you can track your progress in different cognitive functions and compare performance with other users of the app. Developers of the Peak app recommend brain training for at least 3 days per week to see definite results.
4- Fit Brains
Another brain training app which is developed after keen research of neuroscientists, this one will have you hooked for all the right reasons. Fit Brains boasts the largest variety of minigames. In fact, there are more than 60 minigames and 500 plus personalized training programs in Fit Brains.
Each one of this game has been carefully designed to stimulate the brain’s essential cognitive functions, such as- concentration, memory, problem-solving and information processing speed.
What makes Fit Brains a unique brain training app is that it also encourages emotional intelligence. There are games which are particularly designed to enhance social skills, social awareness and self-control of the player. What’s more, there is even a school edition in Fit Brains which consists of games to improve the cognitive functions of school children.
5- CogniFit
CogniFit, one of the most advanced brain training apps in the market, consists of minigames to improve more than 20 cognitive skills. Yes! You read that right. Apart from traditional cognitive skills such as memory and focus, CogniFit also focuses on areas such as short-term memory, planning, auditory skills, and hand-eye coordination.
Due to this reason, CogniFit is being used by healthcare professionals to boost brain training in patients. After all, each minigame has been validated by scientists, including researchers from renowned universities such as the University of Washington and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.
Like most brain training apps, the basic version of CogniFit is free for all Android and iOS users.
Conclusion:
Brain training apps are an excellent way to stimulate your mind and have fun. However, these apps can never replace face-to-face intervention.
Use a brain training app in conjunction with other stress-reducing activities such as exercise, yoga or visiting a therapist and you will notice a positive change in your brain and body.
Do you think downloading a brain training app is a surefire way of increased brain power? Share your favorite brain training apps with us in the comments below and let us know which one works best for you and why:
