Can you keep your brain happy?

October 23, 11:11 AMSF Boomers ExaminerSuzanna Stinnett

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I’ve been exercising my brain at HappyNeuron.com for a few weeks now. I wanted to write a review back in September, but I’ve been a little preoccupied with a couple of the games on the site. Well, preoccupied is one way to put it. Sometimes the brain copes with overwhelm by getting hyper-focused on something fun.

Let me warn you up front: These computer brain games can be habit-forming.

HappyNeuron has a great selection with a fair amount of diversity in their exercises. They offer specific exercises to address the five main brain areas that are important to keep stimulated on a regular basis: Memory, attention, language, visual-spatial skills, and executive function.

I think I tried all the games, and only found a couple that didn’t work for me. That’s a subjective comment, though. Overall the games are inventive and fun. There’s one that prompts you to remember a route through Paris, for example. One called “Heraldry” shows coats of arms, and you’re prompted to memorize details. You can choose between word games, colors and shapes, and objects. That’s just in the Memory section.

In the Attention section, I found an exercise where you get to compare writing symbols from different culture. I thought it was beautiful, and spent the rest of the night playing the levels of that game. When I could have been making brownies or sweeping the garage. What can I say?

Then I found the one with bird songs on it. You see the bird and its name, hear the bird song, and then go through different memory tests to match them up. As soon as I have this posted, I’m going back to work on that one again. I keep mixing up the Rock Sparrow and the Common Stonechat. See you in a week or so.

I think you’ll enjoy HappyNeuron, and that’s the point. Brain exercises should be fun. A word of warning, though, you might want to set a timer with a loud alarm on it. It’s hard to stop.

Suzanna

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