Memory Games: Which Ones Really Help? How Brain Exercises Can Support Your Memory After 55

Many of us enjoy a good crossword, Sudoku puzzle or word game. They are a pleasant way to spend time, keep the mind occupied and enjoy a little challenge.

But can these activities actually improve your memory?

The answer is encouraging: keeping your brain active and challenged can support healthy brain ageing. However, not all brain games are created equal, and the biggest benefits often come from activities that challenge you in different ways rather than simply repeating the same puzzle every day.

Just like your body benefits from different types of exercise, your brain benefits from variety.

Why Do Brain Games Matter?

Your brain is constantly changing throughout your life.

Every time you learn something new, solve a problem or practise a skill, your brain creates and strengthens connections between nerve cells. This ability, known as neuroplasticity, allows the brain to adapt and continue developing.

Mental activities can help exercise important skills such as:

• Concentration

• Problem-solving

• Reasoning

• Language

• Memory recall

• Pattern recognition

The aim is not to become a crossword champion or achieve the highest score on an app. The goal is to keep your brain engaged, curious and active.

Crossword Puzzles and Word Games

Crosswords are among the most popular brain exercises, and for good reason.

They challenge your language skills, vocabulary and ability to retrieve information from memory.

Trying to remember a name, a historical fact or the answer to a clue encourages your brain to search through stored knowledge.

Other word-based activities that can help stimulate the brain include:

• Word searches

• Scrabble

• Anagrams

• Cryptic clues

• Learning new words

For an extra challenge, try learning a few new words each week and using them in conversation.

Sudoku and Number Puzzles

Sudoku has become incredibly popular because it challenges logical thinking rather than requiring mathematical ability.

These types of puzzles encourage:

• Pattern recognition

• Planning

• Concentration

• Problem-solving

Other number activities, such as logic puzzles, maths challenges or card games, can also provide valuable mental stimulation.

The key is choosing something that makes your brain work.

Jigsaw Puzzles: More Than Just a Hobby

Jigsaw puzzles are often seen simply as a relaxing pastime, but they actually involve several important brain processes.

When completing a puzzle, you are using:

• Visual perception

• Memory

• Attention to detail

• Problem-solving skills

• Spatial awareness

They also encourage patience and focus, helping train the brain to concentrate on a single task.

Completing a puzzle with someone else provides an additional benefit—social connection.

Learning New Skills May Be Even Better

While traditional brain games are enjoyable, research suggests that activities involving learning something new may provide even greater benefits.

Why?

Because learning a new skill requires your brain to work in multiple ways at the same time.

Examples include:

• Learning a language

• Playing an instrument

• Taking up painting

• Photography

• Dancing

• Cooking new recipes

• Using new technology

These activities combine memory, coordination, creativity and problem-solving.

For example, learning Spanish involves remembering vocabulary, understanding grammar, listening carefully and practising conversation. Your brain is challenged from many different angles.

What About Brain Training Apps?

There are thousands of brain-training apps available, promising to improve memory, attention and intelligence.

Some research suggests these apps can improve your performance on the specific games you practise. However, this does not always mean those improvements transfer to everyday memory.

For example, becoming better at a particular puzzle does not necessarily mean you will automatically remember shopping lists or names more easily.

The best approach is to use apps as one tool among many—not as a replacement for real-life learning and experiences.

The Importance of Doing Something Enjoyable

The best brain exercise is one you will actually continue doing.

If you dislike puzzles, forcing yourself to complete them every day is unlikely to be helpful.

Instead, choose activities that bring you enjoyment.

You might prefer:

• Joining a book club

• Taking a local history course

• Learning a craft

• Playing board games with family

• Attending a quiz night

• Gardening and learning about plants

• Exploring new places

Enjoyment keeps you motivated, and motivation encourages consistency.

Challenge Yourself Regularly

One of the biggest mistakes people make is always doing activities they find easy.

If a puzzle no longer challenges you, try something slightly more difficult.

Your brain benefits from being stretched.

Think about it like physical exercise. Walking the same easy route every day is beneficial, but occasionally adding a hill or a longer distance challenges your body further.

Your brain works in a similar way.

Don't Forget the Bigger Picture

Memory games can be a valuable part of keeping your brain active, but they are only one piece of the puzzle.

The strongest evidence for maintaining brain health comes from combining different healthy habits:

• Regular physical activity

• Good quality sleep

• A nutritious diet

• Social connection

• Managing stress

• Continuing to learn

A crossword puzzle alone will not protect your memory, but a lifestyle that keeps your brain engaged can make a meaningful difference.

Keep Your Brain Curious

Ageing does not mean your ability to learn disappears.

Your brain remains capable of adapting, growing and developing throughout life.

Whether you complete a crossword over your morning coffee, join a language class, learn a new hobby or simply challenge yourself to try something different, every mental challenge is an opportunity to support your brain.

The best memory exercise is curiosity.

Keep asking questions. Keep learning. Keep exploring.

Your brain is designed to keep growing—and it is never too late to give it a new challenge.