Want better focus, improved memory and faster thought-processing? Who wouldn’t?
Your brain actually reaches its peak performance between the ages of 16 and 15 years, before your cognitive function starts to decline, but you can halt and even reverse this decline through working out your brain just like you would your body through exercise.
Our brains are constantly changing and adapting according to our experiences (a process called neuroplasticity).
“If we could target specific types of skills and cognitive processes, then we could teach our brains to be better at, well, anything,” reason The Guardian.
That’s exactly what brain training apps aim to do – using different tasks to improve cognitive skills such as short-term memory, attention, maths, problem-solving and the like.
According to studies, brain training can help promote mental health, too, and even reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.
Of course, every brain teaser app out there claims that it’s puzzles and exercises can improve your brain function – but how many of them really work? The Daily Burn has sourced a list of the best brain-training apps out there who’s methods are based on psychological tests and studies. Here’s our favourites:
This beautifully-designed app lets you choose which function of your brain you want to develop (memory, attention, problem solving, processing speed or flexibility of thinking) and delivers a tailored brain-exercise programme for you to work through.
Designed by neuroscientists, this app gives you an initial quiz to benchmark where you reside on the scale of several brain function areas, and uses the results to recommend different training exercises. It also helps you learn about different aspects of brain health so you’re learning in lots of different ways.
This app teaches you how to deal with stress, think positively, show gratitude and empathise, using techniques from ‘positive psychology’. Exercising and improving these aspects of your brain function over time can help form new, life-changing habits.
This app differs from its market peers because it uses information relevant to your real life to help improve your memory, such as quotes you like, interesting facts, even your phone number or bank details. The app takes you through ‘spaced repetition’ exercises and tests you over time to help you retain information.
An award-winning app that lets you track your mood and the things that are relevant to your mental health. It also includes coping methods, such as mindfulness and relaxation exercises. The app was originally designed to manage serious mental health issues, but can be used by everyone to cope with the stress of everyday life.
Happy training.