Share Whether you’re taking a break from work or sitting down for a moment before you complete the rest of the housework, we all need a little time to recharge during the day. However, we don’t want to relax so much that getting back into the swing of things is going to be even more difficult. As such, it’s a good idea to find ways to keep the brain active and engaged, even while being able to take your mind off the task for a while. For that reason, we’re going to look at a few games that can become your breaktime rituals. Word Puzzles If you’re able to fit a little meaningful benefit into your breaks, without feeling like you’re putting yourself to work, then that can be the perfect way to make sure that you stay switched on and can easily get back to work. Daily word puzzles like Wordle are great for this, rewarding your logic and deduction, activating your pattern recognition and memory, and even helping you expand your vocabulary if you play them enough. These games are perfect for those who prefer the feeling of really solving something, compared to the more endless or repeating games that we’ll look at below, allowing you some sense of accomplishment to lift your mood before you get back into the day. Sudoku And Number Puzzles While they operate much like word puzzles in that they have a definite end and a win state that you’re trying to aim for, mini brain puzzles , be it Sudoku, math teasers, or otherwise, tend to engage the brain at a slightly slower rate. Because they take a little longer to solve, at least, they encourage you to settle down for a session of quiet focus, engaging the brain’s problem-solving centers, and encouraging you to develop strategic methods with forward planning to find the best solutions. Of course, you can add the pressure of a timer if you want, and some people do that to increase the difficulty when they get used to Sudoku puzzles, making them effective as either quick mental resets or longer, deeper focus sessions. Solitaire Card games are an excellent way to reset the brain, especially if you want to get away from the computer screen while you’re at it. These games work well because they rely on inherently familiar patterns, while encouraging subtle strategy. The rules may be relatively simple, and you may repeat similar scenarios, but the particulars of how you manage your strategy of trying out different card routing paths can have you managing risk in your mind, adapting to randomness, and noticing patterns that improve your play next time. Digital solitaire takes that and adds a lot more convenience and the ability to quickly restart a game, but there is something to be said about the mindfulness of playing with physical cards. Casino-Style Games There are other card games that are designed to play with the concept of risk much more inherently, with clear win and loss states that are infinitely repeated. Poker and blackjack are two clear examples of these, but you don’t have to put any money at risk to enjoy them. There are plenty of free versions of these games out there for those who like a sense of stakes, to weigh odds, make calculated choices, and manage risk without losing anything for real. Even when the stakes aren’t real, the unpredictability and using your own logic, pattern recognition, and understanding of chance can help you turn things in your favor. Many free games allow you to aim for high scores, such as how many chips you might earn (or lose) in a predetermined amount of time. Brain Training Apps If you’re looking to maximize the beneficial nature of your break, then you could make it the time for a quick and focused mental workout. There are apps like Lumosity that are designed to deliver daily games that target skills such as memory, attention, processing speed, flexibility, and more. These sessions are typically short and goal-oriented, making them perfect to fit in your break time every day. They feel inherently game-like, but they still require real concentration, meaning that they might not be as great if, for instance, you’re likely to be distracted by family or coworkers during your break. Logic Games If you prefer something a little slower and more thoughtful, but you prefer to think outside of the box, rather than relying on learning and repeating methodology like Sudoku, then logic-based games like pattern grids and deduction puzzles could be the right thing for you. These games are all about thinking multiple steps ahead, testing out hypotheses, and going back to old assumptions and open threads when you get a new clue. These games are great for those who want to keep their attention and focus sharp, instead of other games that could see you slip into something more of an autopilot mode. The sense of gradual progress with each unearthed clue or next step stops them from feeling too frustrated, as well. Chess Timeless strategy games like chess might take a while for a newcomer to learn. Once you do, however, it’s the kind of game you can come back to time and time again. Chess offers the chance to get into bouts of deep thinking for even short amounts of time, engaging your memory, planning, and foresight. Online chess platforms make it easy to face players at any level, so whether you’re still picking up parts of the game, beginning to memorize strategy, or getting to the higher levels where you’re reading your opponent as much as the game, you can find players that will match your mental skills. The game is complex enough that it’s rewarding to return to time after time, as well, while some puzzles and games can eventually get boring. Whether you have one game that you like to return to time and time again, or you’re more likely to switch it up day by day, having a game that keeps your brain active can be a great way to make your breaks truly refreshing. Share this: