Stay sharp with 6 easy brain games

Everyone has the occasional memory lapse, but if it seems to happen often, or you just want to keep your noggin in good working order, playing games is one fun way to improve cognitive skills, memory—and may even help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

“If the brain isn’t getting the right amount of exercise, it’s at greater risk of exhibiting decreased mental function,” says recreational therapy specialist Olivia Griffith of TriStar Parthenon Pavilion in Nashville, Tennessee. Recreational therapy specialist Teresa Treloar of TriStar Parthenon Pavilion in Nashville, Tennessee suggests playing brain games for just a few minutes a day to help boost brain health. “Games are a great way to strengthen neural pathways in our brain to keep us mentally sharp,” she says.