[Serious] "Doing Brain-ups", how do you exercise your brain?

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I get cognitive function tests once a year, part of a study the VA is participating in. I'm not in the control group so researchers can suggest things for me do to try to stay sharp (some would say "get sharp") into my dotage. So I play games. Spider solitaire, with a win rate of about 3% in the hardest mode is one. Scrabble (online) is another. I also play the grand chess games, like Ages of Empires II.

If you haven't considered this aspect of your old age all I can say is "it's never too early."

Suggestions/thought/brickbats?

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

I do word puzzles (mainly cryptograms) and commit at least one literary passage - generally poems or song lyrics) to memory each week.

Boru

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Anything where you have to stop and think is better than sinking into daytime TV.

[arewethereyet]

Lots of different Solitaire games, crossword puzzles, Soduko...Zilla, you mentioned POGO as a time waster, I play several games on there.

Due to being given accountant rights on QuickBooks Online on Friday I will be able to renew my certification as well as complete some other training and certifications. I enjoy the learning process enough that I don't even plan to count it in my hours for payment. The process will be good brain exercise.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I've been thinking of learning a foreign language. Perhaps Scots.

[Sal]

I don't have a firm grip on what exercise I can do to improve my cognitive abilities. Closest I do, that improves my mind, is mindfulness meditation. At least I think that maintains my mind.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I don't have a firm grip on what exercise I can do to improve my cognitive abilities. Closest I do, that improves my mind, is mindfulness meditation. At least I think that maintains my mind.

I was told "first, it should be fun" so I'd keep doing it. Then something that will challenge you. POGO has Scrabble at escalating levels of skill, so I'll be challenged for a good long while.

And, of course, it doesn't have to be games. I used to do intarsia because it demanded concentration and planning. I have a few dozen half-completed projects to deal with if I ever get back into the basement.

[Angrboda]

Every morning I play a little brain game known as, "Where the fuck am I?"

Once I've mastered that, I move on to the online multiplayer game of, "What in fuck has he done now?"

[onlinebiker]

I enjoy Ages of Empires II as well. It's pretty easy unless you go up against at least 2 AI players...

It's a fun timekill in the morning.

A fun thing to do is have some monk squads steal enemy players. My record is a bit over 350 units on my team - and I think I only created about 150....

[polymath257]

Let's see.

I am writing up a set of notes that starts with the axioms of set theory and develops the rest of mathematics. Even though I have a PhD in math, I have learned an immense amount from this project. It is currently at 780 pages.

I am learning Chinese (Mandarin). Currently working towards HKS3 status.

I am brushing up on French. I'd like to get to the place where I can read a simple novel in French.

After I get good in Chinese, I'll move to Portuguese.