"Brain games"

[Nickittynic]

Has anyone else been advised to try doing "brain games" to improve their cognitive abilities?

After my Executive Functioning Test showed Some deficits, my Speech-Language Pathologist advised trying out some games. Specifically, I've been working on a website called lumosity.com. It seemed to really be working! In addition to my score improving, after a couple weeks I am finally starting to feel more "normal".
There's also things like "Big Brain Academy" and "Brain Age" for other gaming systems, but I like Lumosity because it has different 'training' pathways. I'm finishing up Basic Training now, and then will subscribe to the Traumatic Brain Injury Training to see how it differs.

You do have to pay for it after the first free week, but I would recommend it to anyone who feels "slower" after surgery - I wish I had started earlier in my recovery!

[ppearl214]

Been many discussions over the past years re: "Brain Games" (I live for Sudoku!)

Here are 3 threads/discussions in the past (you'll see how long some of us have been around these parts! )

http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=8869.0

http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=2771.0

http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=2985.0


great suggestions noted in them all.

Phyl

[Nickittynic]

Yikes, sorry, should have done a search before I posted!

[ppearl214]

oh, no worries... that is why I get paid the BIG bucks (NOT!) around here!

these links may also be helpful to others (as well as may be you?).  Hope they help and give other suggestions that may be worth checking into.

Seeing a lot of WII talk around here as well (I have NO clue what it is... but folks seem to enjoy it) for balance issues.  so, not just brain games that help us but seems other forms of games to help with the vestibular issues as well.

Phyl

[Kaybo]

I have often wondered about this - I will check it out!!\

Thanks!
K 

[lori67]

I think the brain is like any other body part - use it or lose it.   

Now I have an excuse for my crossword puzzle addiction!  I will check out that website though.  Thanks for sharing it.

There's no telling how much of my brain has turned to mush from the AN and being a stay at home mom for the past 7 years.   

Lori

[saralynn143]

Oh, I don't know about that, Lori. I think I have to be more alert to stay ahead of my kids than I ever did in the paid work force.

Sara

[lori67]

Well, good point, Sara!  I suppose if I ever go on Jeopardy, I'll do well on categories like "Name the Muppets" or " Stain removal"!     I've given up on trying to stay ahead of them - if I can just keep up - I'm happy! 

I worked with traumatic brain injury patients though, and most of them were twice my size, so there was quite a bit of incentive to stay alert!  At least my kids listen to me...usually.   

Fortunately, I get some brain games on the forum when people use the big words!   

Lori

[moe]

Great to hear that you are feeling better and the brain games are working!
Things do get better, slowly, as you are seeing..... It is a lot of work, kind of like a part time job just taking care of your body's needs
Wishing you good brain days, and a return to part time work soon.
Maureen