Brain Boosting Activities

Have you ever felt that you can’t get your brain kicked into gear? Or that you could do with being a bit quicker when it comes to puzzles and even the pub quiz? We all know that when it comes to muscles, the more often you use them, the stronger they become. 

Here are some brain-boosting activities that get the grey-matter moving, and can pass a few hours too!

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Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Lumosity

There are some games that are known for being fun to play and offer a range of brain training and mental fitness options. For Lumosity, you can sign up for free and play up to three games per day. After that, you will need a subscription. Lumosity games and activities are backed by science, and you can play them on iOS, Android, and on their website. If you want to help your brain, even more, they have a meditation and mindfulness app called Lumosity Mind too. 

Crosswords

Crosswords are a popular way to increase your vocabulary and keep that verbal Rolodex in good order. If you get a newspaper, then you will most likely see a crossword in there, although there are some crosswords that are harder than others. You can also purchase a stack of crossword puzzles and other puzzles from https://www.pennydellpuzzles.com/logic-math/ to keep you going for a while. 

Peak

If you prefer to get your brain training on an app, then Peak is a lot of fun. The activities on Peak are designed for memory, problem-solving, mental agility, focus, and cognitive functions. You can also see how you fare against other people if you have a competitive streak. While the app is free to use, you can purchase a subscription and unlock some extra features. 

Brain Age Concentration Training

This was one of the first games, Brain Training, for the Nintendo DS. Brain Age Concentration Training if for mental fitness and brain training for the Nintendo 3DS. It has a wide number of games, and your progress can be saved so that you can see the improvements over time. There are number games, concentration games, memory and calculation games, and other brain skills. Not only is this fun, but it can be challenging and portable too. 

Sudoku

Some people can grasp Suduko quickly and easily, and others don’t. In general, though, the more simple Sudoko relies on short-term memory. The numbers need to be placed in the right place in order to complete the puzzle. You have to look ahead at what is coming and what you have just written. They come in a range of difficulties, most people do the ‘easier’ ones for a short time, and they are ready for a more significant challenge. 


These types of puzzles aren’t just great for your memory, but they are an ideal way to pass the hours when the weather is terrible, or when it is simply too cold to spend time outside. Concentration games are great for all ages, too; they can help everyone get used to numbers, patterns, and more.

Which Game Station Should I Buy?

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It can be confusing to choose the right games console. There are so many out there, with so many different games that it can be mind boggling to sift through them all to find the one that stands out for you. You may think that the XBox One is the most powerful and then there would be the PS4 with huge diversity in its gaming titles. You also have the Nintendo range of games consoles and games, and these can be exceptional when you’re looking for fun multiplayer Mario games! 


There is no right answer for which the best console is that you should buy. Why? Well, games consoles are individual. What’s good for one is not good for all, and you need to base your choice on the games you play, if you’re using it to learn and create, or you simply want to relax with it and even the budget you have. You also need to consider how many people will be using the consoles that you purchase. With this in mind, let’s talk through what you need to think about before you buy your game console!

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Image source: Pexels

Who Is It For?

Before you buy anything, you need to ask yourself who it’s for. You could buy the best XBOX ONE X games but if they’re not age-appropriate for the kids, you’re going to struggle with not feeling like you’ve wasted your cash. The average gamer age is 35 in the United States, so you need to think about which consoles will fit you and what won’t. 


What Are My Gaming Options?

Below, we’ve put together a list of consoles that you should consider buying - with a little bit about each of them!

  • Nintendo Switch

Best for families and younger gamers, the Nintendo Switch is like the Disney of the gaming world - it’s suitable for everyone of any age! Some of the games include Zelda, Mario and Pokemon, and Nintendo games in general often avoid most of the violence and language that other consoles include in their games. The Nintendo franchise is long in the tooth, so you will know the history of GameBoy and other Nintendo consoles out there. The Switch allows for multiplayer gaming, and it’s one of the easiest consoles to use out there!

  • PlayStation 4

Excellent for the older teens in the house and adults, the PlayStation 4 is the perfect console for gamers who love to be online and interacting with people all over the world. There are some excellent role-player games as well as shoot-em-up games that can be enjoyed by all. There are even sporty games like FIFA that are perfect for those who want to play in a team. There are tons of single-player games that are just as great as the multiplayer games. The console has a lot of platforms and one of the most popular games, Fortnite, began on PlayStation 4. There’s not really much room for family games with the PS4, either, which makes it less than inclusive for the family market. However, the PlayStation store is easy to use and you don't just get games on the console, either. You can buy and download movies, TV shows and demos so that you can keep up to date on the games coming out!

  • XBox One

Another one great for kids and older teenagers, the XBox One is brilliant for the Minecraft fans out there. There is a correlation between their biggest competition - the PlayStation 4 - and themselves, but there is less for families with the XBox One. Instead, it’s great as a high-value, high-powered console for teenagers. There are usually tons of deals for the XBox One out there, but you have to wait for the sales and know where to look when you’re shopping around. 


How Much Do You Have To Spend?

The last question that you really need to ask yourself is what your budget is for your console? The right budget will fit the criteria for your console, and you can ensure that you are buying the right one when you hunt down the best deals. Thankfully, there seem to be sales all of the time when it comes to games consoles. The year has Black Friday, holiday sales, end of season sales and upgrades, too. The few hundred dollars in price between each console really do make a big difference, and seeking out the best value is important. There are usually bundle deals with games and accessories included, but new deals always come and go. All you have to do is ensure that you buy at the right time!


Buying a console is a luxury, and buying the right one will mean that you have years of fun ahead of you. Choose wisely!

Five Ways You Can Ease Yourself Back Into School

Nowadays, people often question why we still go to university or school when answers are so so readily available online. You want to know the tallest mountain or when the first man landed on the moon? Google it. Looking for music? Go to Youtube or Spotify. 

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Photo by Pixabay from Pexels


Although we have all this information at our fingertips, school is about so much more than that. Some of the best things about school are things like making friends or be able to support your school team by wearing a 1st Place Spiritwear. However, going back to school after you’ve enjoyed a summer break can still be difficult. 


To make it a little easier have a look at some of the tips below: 


Start Your Routine Before You Go Back

You can’t expect to go to bed late every night and still get up in time in the morning, and if you do you probably won’t be feeling refreshed. Around a week before you head back to school start getting up early and go to bed at a reasonable time, this way you will feel ready and prepared when you come to start. 


Create A To-Do List

Make a list of absolutely everything that you need to purchase and do before school. Completing these in advance, otherwise, you may find yourself feeling like you are catching up through your first semester. 


Get Ready The Night Before

If you leave yourself to get ready in the morning then you will probably waste a lot of time trying to find the right outfit, pack a lunch, and finding your books. Do yourself a favor and pack your bags the night before. Have a look at the day’s classes, pick out your outfit, and prepare your lunch. You can get up get ready and go without having to rush around and get organized. 


Create A Schedule 

One of the best things you can do is create a schedule. So, you may not know when each class is going to be and when but you can fill in the gaps once you receive this on your first day. You should include things like getting ready, eating breakfast, your commute, your classes, your lunch, and your extra circular activities. 


Think About A Budget 

It can be very easy to run through your budget very quickly when you go to school, in fact, the first few weeks of school can be some of the most costly. Your a student at the end of the day, so you need to budget like one, the student is certainly not the most well-off of people. So, unless you have been working all through the summer, or have nabbed yourself a part-time job, make sure you don’t go too crazy. Try t bring snacks and lunch from home, and try not to blow your budget on weekends with your friends. Create a budget and try to stick to it. Remember to put some to one side for the events that you really want to go to, and that you don’t need to attend them all. 


Your time at university or school are some of the best times in your life, everyone will tell you how much it changes them. You will certainly miss it when it’s gone, and being prepared is one of the best things you can do to ease you back into it.