Good For The Brain
Play On Words fits into the category that's been written a lot about the past several years -- activities/games that are "good for the brain." Our goal in creating Play On Words was simply coming up with an enjoyable, extra-versatile word game, but in the process we also invented a pastime that's very good for the brain. Try playing "Play On Words" for 30 minutes and tell us if you don't feel mentally sharper.
Here are just a few articles from publications and web sites stating the mental and overall benefits of playing board games and word games.
From USA Weekend, Feb 1-3, 2003, as 1 of 7 fresh and easy lab-tested ways to "Keep Going Strong"
"Play cards or challenge friends to a favorite board game, read a magazine or write letters -- any of these pastimes may help brains stay healthy, preliminary research shows. Previous studies showed mentally challenging tasks can help keep memory sharp. This new study out of Chicago suggests the same activities may also preserve the brain's structure. Scientists used MRI scans of 152 people to see how playing games or reading, for example affected white matter in the brain, which is made of nerve fibers to transmit information. They found a strong association between mind-stimulating activities and structural integrity of the brain's white matter.
From Time Health & Family.com, Oct 23, 2012
"In recent years, as more research reveals the benefits of staying both physically and mentally active into the golden years, health officials have been urging older people to exercise more and stay mentally engaged by maintaining a rich network of friends and family connections and by learning new skills to keep their brains sharp. Crossword puzzles, learning a new language, playing board games -- anything that requires some thought can do the trick.
From LiveStrong.com, April 26, 2011
"The brain is resilient and malleable, so people can slow down the progression of dementia and increase their cognitive ability by stimulating brain activity. One way is to do word fine, or word search, games that involve hunting, comparing, spelling and logic. In addition to magazines and newspapers, there are entire books devoted to word find games.
Scrabble and other word games requires various forms of thinking, which exercises the brain. In addition to the logic of space and placement, spelling and rational thinking, it also provides additional opportunities for socializing, since it is a game that involves multiple players. Having a Scrabble group helps alleviate loneliness and depression -- side effects and frustrations of aging and feeling isolated. A daily word game will help keep the aging mind sharp and give the person something to look forward to every day."
From eHow.com Health
"Do word games and puzzles on a regular basis. Get the crossword out of your local paper weekly or daily. Buy a Sudoku puzzle book or electronic game to do whenever you have a spare moment. Do brain games which exercise all give cognitive areas: memory, language, executive function, and visual/spatial skills."
Here are just a few articles from publications and web sites stating the mental and overall benefits of playing board games and word games.
From USA Weekend, Feb 1-3, 2003, as 1 of 7 fresh and easy lab-tested ways to "Keep Going Strong"
"Play cards or challenge friends to a favorite board game, read a magazine or write letters -- any of these pastimes may help brains stay healthy, preliminary research shows. Previous studies showed mentally challenging tasks can help keep memory sharp. This new study out of Chicago suggests the same activities may also preserve the brain's structure. Scientists used MRI scans of 152 people to see how playing games or reading, for example affected white matter in the brain, which is made of nerve fibers to transmit information. They found a strong association between mind-stimulating activities and structural integrity of the brain's white matter.
From Time Health & Family.com, Oct 23, 2012
"In recent years, as more research reveals the benefits of staying both physically and mentally active into the golden years, health officials have been urging older people to exercise more and stay mentally engaged by maintaining a rich network of friends and family connections and by learning new skills to keep their brains sharp. Crossword puzzles, learning a new language, playing board games -- anything that requires some thought can do the trick.
From LiveStrong.com, April 26, 2011
"The brain is resilient and malleable, so people can slow down the progression of dementia and increase their cognitive ability by stimulating brain activity. One way is to do word fine, or word search, games that involve hunting, comparing, spelling and logic. In addition to magazines and newspapers, there are entire books devoted to word find games.
Scrabble and other word games requires various forms of thinking, which exercises the brain. In addition to the logic of space and placement, spelling and rational thinking, it also provides additional opportunities for socializing, since it is a game that involves multiple players. Having a Scrabble group helps alleviate loneliness and depression -- side effects and frustrations of aging and feeling isolated. A daily word game will help keep the aging mind sharp and give the person something to look forward to every day."
From eHow.com Health
"Do word games and puzzles on a regular basis. Get the crossword out of your local paper weekly or daily. Buy a Sudoku puzzle book or electronic game to do whenever you have a spare moment. Do brain games which exercise all give cognitive areas: memory, language, executive function, and visual/spatial skills."
