When something isn't functioning correctly, whether that's in your heart, kidneys or somewhere else, it's eventually going to affect your brain." "With brain health, I think of full-body health - taking care of yourself physically and mentally," explains Dr. There's certainly no downside to playing word games and puzzles, but if your goal is to take steps to benefit your brain health, Dr. Buildup can lead to blockages, increasing your risk of stroke." 3 expert tips for keeping your brain young "For instance, atherosclerosis - having plaque in your blood vessels - can involve plaque buildup anywhere, including the blood vessels supplying the brain with blood. "Your heart supplies your brain with blood, so keeping your brain young also means keeping your heart and blood vessels healthy," says Dr. Stroke can cause brain damage in just minutes and is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. Habitual exercise is also known to reduce a person's risk of stroke, when blood flow to the brain is blocked. In fact, one study found that people who are inactive are almost twice as likely to experience subjective cognitive decline - worsening or more frequent confusion or memory loss - as those who exercise regularly. People who make exercise a habit also have a reduced risk of dementia. It can improve cognition, memory and sleep, as well as reduce anxiety and depression - all things that promote brain health." "Physical activity is incredibly beneficial for the brain," explains Dr. Garg adds that there are steps you can take between games to help keep your brain young as you age. While exercising your mind may not have known benefits to your brain health, Dr. There are no downsides to having a hobby that brings you joy and encourages continued learning." Your brain also benefits from physical exercise "If you like to play Wordle every day or some other type of puzzle, you should definitely keep doing it," says Dr. Garg points out that there's certainly no harm in regularly putting your brain to work through these games and puzzles. "Anything that challenges your mind or jogs your memory is going to be good for you - even if there's no clear data showing a specific benefit to the brain."Īnd Dr. "Logically, however, if I had to choose between watching TV all day versus playing word games and puzzles, I am going to pick the games and puzzles," Dr. Tanu Garg, a neurologist at Houston Methodist.įor instance, studies haven't shown that they help prevent memory loss or reduce the risk of developing dementia.īut word-game hobbyists need not despair. "Unfortunately, there's really no conclusive evidence supporting that word games and puzzles benefit the brain over time," says Dr. Some may argue that no board game collection is complete without Scrabble, for instance, and newspapers have included crossword puzzles for decades.īut is there more to word games than amusement or competition? Could they also be a form of exercise for your brain, helping it stay healthy and young by regularly challenging it? Do word games and puzzles help your brain? When all five letter tiles turn green, it's only natural to want to share your results with a friend. As you try to uncover the five-letter word of the day, your vocabulary is stretched and tested - and your deductive reasoning skills, too. Take Wordle, for instance, one of today's more popular word games. They also bring a sense of accomplishment if you complete a challenging one. Word games and puzzles aren't just a source of entertainment.
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