Compared to those untrained, these participants were able to do such skills as cooking, managing finances and using their medications. Reliable improvements had been noted at 87% in speed training and at 74% in reasoning training. These improvements in mental acuity had been detected for about two years or more by the authorities. There are games which focus on how you strategize, these games significant effects on critical thinking. Brain training software. Aside from the Brain Age, there are also other brain trainers which you can use. These hand-held games have different kind of brain exercises which you can use for a few minutes a day. Take on the complexities involved in learning how to master an instrument. According to research, children who engage in piano lessons at an early age perform well in school specifically in mathematics. Your brain needs to freshen up once in a while. Move away from the monotonous sights, sounds, and smells in your life. Think of the brain as a muscle. When developing muscles, exercise is needed to develop strength and flexibility. The same goes for the brain, different exercises would help sharpen the memory and enhance focus and concentration. In a brain training program, you would have an idea on the present status of your brain. Research also showed evidence that these mental calisthenics had considerably slowed down the effects of aging of the mind and other age-related mental deterioration. This package of exercises usually includes puzzles and logic games, flash cards, video games and other thinking drills. All of them are designed to improve the memory and to help increase concentration. It is not enough to focus on one form only like a card game. There are different kinds of brain exercises which can be used like puzzles, optical exercises and illusions, math, reasoning and language exercises. Brain training is also not only mental exercises. Physical exercises are also important in developing better mental health.