The Incredible Health Benefits Of Knitting… And Other Pastimes
Over the festive season we all want to relax and unwind. But do you know which free time activities can actually help to keep your mind active?
Experts at SolitaireBliss have revealed the top 5 brain and memory improvement activities.
Do you want to help someone improve their brain health and memory after sustaining a head injury? Or do you purely want to test out your cognitive skills? In either scenario, memory activities are a great way to stimulate mental fitness and improve your brain health.
Now experts at SolitaireBliss have revealed a top 5 list of brain training and memory improvement activities that offer a wide range of cognitive benefits.
Jigsaw puzzles
The benefit of puzzles is that they are available for all ages; whether you’re five or eighty-five, there are plenty of puzzles and jigsaw games on the market that will test your brain cells and improve mental speed.
Both physical and online puzzles are mentally stimulating and can also help increase concentration and attention levels whilst working to enhance positive moods.
Pic: Shutterstock
Puzzles are also an incredibly effective way to eliminate stress and reduce anxiety, so they are a perfect option for those suffering from these problems.
Find a good value range of seasonal jigsaws at The Works. For a special gift, The Yorkshire Jigsaw Store stocks a range of Thomas Kincade’s beautiful Christmas images. There’s also a lovely selection at the DC Thomson Shop.
The People’s Friend Christmas Jigsaw, currently £9.99, DC Thomson Shop
Card games
Card games might seem like an obvious option but are often forgotten about. Card games are the perfect way to work on improving problem-solving and strategy building.
Alongside delaying and preventing memory decline like puzzles, card games are also great for people who may struggle with social anxiety. They keep you socially active, as many games require more than one player and help improve basic maths skills.
Swot up on the rules or learn new games at Playing Card Decks.
Pic: Shutterstock
Knitting
Contrary to popular belief, knitting is not only for the elderly! It’s a great way to keep all brain parts active and engaged. The calming act of knitting helps reduce anxiety, has fantastic benefits like eliminating emotional stress, and is a great way to distract from pain.
Not only does knitting allow a great sense of achievement when the project is finished, but it’s also a great way to increase levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain, which promote the body’s happy hormones.
Even better, get that extra feelgood buzz from helping others. Find patterns for items needed by people in crisis at Knit For Peace… Knit donkeys for The Donkey Sanctuary to sell in its shops… Or memory blankets for SANDS… Alternatively contact your local hospital neonatal unit to find out if they have a wishlist of items for premature babies.
Pic: Shutterstock
Chess
Chess is the perfect way to challenge the mind and keep critical thinking at the forefront of the brain. The ancient game helps to develop pattern recognition, analytical thinking, exercise logic and improve memory.
For centuries chess has been an impressive game to master, which is why the beloved game has seen many world champions over the years. Albert Einstein was known to be an expert at the game, just like his best friend Emanuel Lasker, who held the world title for 27 years, the longest reign of any world champion.
Know someone who would like a chess set for Christmas? Have a look at Jacques Of London, Farrar & Tanner or for a gorgeous replica of the historic Isle of Lewis chess set, The National Museum of Scotland.
Pic: Shutterstock
Online apps/websites
In this day and age where we are glued to technology and our phones, it is common for our minds to stay inactive and unengaged with all our hours of mindless scrolling. This is why brain training apps are perfect for everyday use by their ease of accessibility.
Many apps and websites are available for Android and Apple users, so finding one that suits you will be easy. Some of the most popular ones for brain training are SolitaireBliss, Lumosity, Elevate, CogniFit and NeuroNation.
Pic: Shutterstock
A spokesperson for SolitaireBliss commented, “Not only are all these braining training activities beneficial by engaging cognitive skills, but they can help to prevent the early onset and reduce progression rates of Alzheimer’s, dementia and other memory-affecting diseases.
“The benefits of taking part in any of these activities will be to keep your brain happy, healthy and engaged. They all give you the opportunity to learn a new skill and increase your social skills simultaneously!”
