Knitting has incredible benefits on brain health

Whether players want to improve their brain health and memory after sustaining a head injury or purely want to test their cognitive skills, memory activities are a great way to stimulate mental fitness and improve brain health.

Experts at SolitaireBliss have revealed a top 5 list of brain training and memory improvement activities that offer players a wide range of cognitive benefits.

  1. Jigsaw puzzles

The benefit of puzzles is that they are available for all ages; whether you’re five or fifty-five, there are plenty of puzzles and jigsaw games on the market that will test your brain cells and improve mental speed.

Both physical and online puzzles are mentally stimulating and can also help increase concentration and attention levels whilst working to enhance positive moods.

Puzzles are also an incredible way to eliminate stress and reduce anxiety, so they are a perfect option for those suffering from these problems.

  1. Card games

Card games might seem like an obvious option but are often forgotten about. Card games are the perfect way to work on improving problem-solving and strategy building.

Alongside delaying and preventing memory decline like puzzles, card games are also great for people who may struggle with social anxiety. They keep you socially active as many games require more than one player and help improve basic maths skills.

  1. Knitting

Contrary to popular belief, knitting is not only for the elderly! Knitting is a great way to keep all brain parts active and engaged. The calming act of knitting helps reduce anxiety, has fantastic benefits like eliminating emotional stress, and is a great way to distract from pain.

Not only does knitting allow a great sense of achievement when the project is finished, but it’s also a great way to increase dopamine and serotonin, which promote the body’s happy hormones.

  1. Chess  

Chess is the perfect way to challenge the mind and keep critical thinking at the forefront of the brain. The ancient game helps to develop pattern recognition, analytical thinking, exercise logic and improve memory.

For centuries chess has been an impressive game to master, which is why the beloved game has seen many world champions over the years. Albert Einstein was known to be an expert at the game, just like his best friend Emanuel Lasker, who held the world title for 27 years, the longest reign of any world champion.

  1. Online apps/websites

In this day and age where we are glued to technology and our phones, it is common for our minds to stay inactive and unengaged with all our hours of mindless scrolling, which is why brain training apps are perfect for everyday use by their ease of accessibility.

Many apps and websites are available for Android and Apple users, so finding one that suits you will be easy. Some of the most popular ones for brain training are SolitaireBliss, Lumosity, Elevate, CogniFit and NeuroNation.

A spokesperson for SolitaireBliss commented: “Not only are all these braining training activities beneficial by engaging cognitive skills, but they can help to prevent the early onset and reduce progression rates of Alzheimer’s, dementia and other memory-affecting diseases.

The benefits of taking part in any of these activities will keep your brain happy, healthy and engaged and give you the opportunity to learn a new skill and increase your social skills simultaneously!”

A Nostalgic Nation?

Brits’ favourite ways to spend time with their Grandparents

  • –    Nostalgic conversations are the nation’s favourite way to spend time with their grandparents 
  • –    Research reveals top 10 activities include baking, gardening, and playing board games  
  • –    Psychotherapist, Andre Radmall, explains why it’s so important for grandchildren to spend time with their grandparents.

Reminiscing about the past (32%) is the nation’s favourite activity to do with their grandparents, new research has revealed. 

The study was conducted by Gala Bingo, the nation’s favourite bingo site, to launch its new Paddle Pals TV advert, which celebrates the bond we have with our grandparents. 

Playing card games (31%), looking through old photographs (30%) and baking (30%) were some of the other ways in which we cherish time with Grandma and Grandad.  

Men and women tend to have different favourites, however, as while talking about history is the favourite grandparent pastime for men, baking takes the top spot for women. Almost two in five (38%) women say baking is their favourite thing to do with their grandparents, compared to just 21% of men. Yet men and women equally enjoy spending time planting and pruning in the garden (26%) with their elders. 

Interestingly, age plays a part in which activities are most enjoyed. Cooking alongside their grandparents is a popular activity for both the 25-34 (41%) and the 35-44 (33%) age groups. For the younger generation (18-24), taking the dog for a walk with their grandparents topped the list at 31%. 

Overall, the nation’s top 10 favourite activities to do with their grandparents are:  

  1. Talking about the past – 32% 
  2. Playing cards – 31% 
  3. Going through old photos – 30% 
  4. Baking – 30% 
  5. Cooking – 28%  
  6. Playing board games – 28% 
  7. Gardening – 26% 
  8. Walking – 23% 
  9. Going to the park – 23% 
  10. Doing puzzles, crosswords, word games –20% 

Dog walking (15%), taking a trip to the beach (15%) and puzzling over jigsaws (19%) were among the other wholesome activities that were mentioned but didn’t quite make the top 10. 

Sporty activities such as swimming (4%) and bowling (3%) were some of the least popular endeavours. 

There is also variation across the UK. Playing board games with the grandparents is the preferred activity for people in Bristol and Edinburgh (both 37%) whereas taking a stroll around a park is the favourite thing to do for those in Liverpool (31%) and Sheffield (33%).  

Psychotherapist and author Andre Radmall said: “The relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren is immensely important. Spending time with each other provides innumerable benefits for both. 

“Grandchildren can learn from the experience of grandparents, passing on their wisdom through to adulthood which can be a rewarding and meaningful experience for grandchildren.”  

Karina Adrian, head of brand marketing at Gala Bingo, said: “It’s really great to see the nations appreciation and love we share for our grandparents.

“There are so many shared experiences between a grandparent and their grandchild, with this research reflecting just how much of a positive impact the bonds with our grandparents can have on us as adults. 

“We hope this research has inspired people to spend some quality time with their grandparents this week and reminisce on good times spent with them.” 

Lockdown Fun Learning

HOME LEARNING MADE FUN WITH LEX-GO!

As schools remain shut, homeschooling is something that all parents are coming to terms with during this latest lockdown. It can be hard thinking of new ways to keep kids entertained, as well as learning whilst they are out of school.

Lex-GO! is the super-fast word game from Waddingtons No. 1, that is not only fun and exciting but also helps kids with spelling and vocabulary.

Waddingtons No.1 of London is an iconic British heritage brand that as been around for over 130 years.

In this game race against other players to get rid of your word tiles by swapping letters and even stealing your opponents’ tiles. There are two versions; Harry Potter and Disney and both include special tiles that help you win the game.

WATCH THE TV ADVERT HERE

HARRY POTTER VERSION

Harry Potter has 4 special SPELL TILES:

  • EXPELLIARMUS – disarm another player by messing up their tiles
  • DEPULSO – banish one of your tiles from the round if you need to
  • REVELIO – allows the holder to look at any number of tiles in the draw pile before choosing which to swap
  • STUPEFY – choose a player to close their eyes and count out loud for 10 seconds, before they re-join the round

The POLYJUICE tile may be nominated as any letter in a word. Once used in a word the player must announce what letter it is and it remains that letter throughout the round

WATCH THE HARRY POTTER LEX-GO!

‘HOW TO PLAY’ VIDEO

DISNEY VERSION

Disney has 4 special MAGIC TILES:

  • GENIE – your wish is granted! You can take a total of any 3 tiles from any other players
  • WRECK IT RALPH – it’s time to wreck it! Shuffle one player’s words
  • OLAF – whoops! Olaf walked over your tiles and now they’re frozen in place for 10 seconds
  • ARIEL – here’s one to add to your collection! You can take any tile from another player if it completes a word for you

The MICKY tile may be nominated as any letter in a word. Once used in a word the player must announce what letter it is and it remains that letter throughout the round

WATCH THE DISNEY LEX-GO!

‘HOW TO PLAY’ VIDEO

Harry Potter and Disney Lex-GO! are both available on Amazon

RRP £14.99

Age 8+

Putin trumps Trump

Vlad the Bad comes out on Top as new deck of Top Trumps hits the shelves 

This week, the famous British card game launches Spitting Image Top Trumps, in which politicians, Royal Family members and celebrities battle it out in categories like ‘heart throb’,‘bank balance’, ‘shelf-life’ and ‘world domination’.

  • DISHY RISHI, THE NATION’S HOTTIE – Rishi Sunak trumps the rest to come out as the biggest heart throb, beating Priti Patel and Meghan Markle to top spot
  • COVID-19 DOMINATES THE WORLD – Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump battle it out for World Domination, but there is a new kid on the block and Covid-19 is showing them who’s boss
  • ECO- WARRIOR TO THE END – She’s not going anywhere! Young Greta Thunberg has the longest ‘shelf-life’ in the pack
  • PRINCE UNCHARMING – Prince Andrew gets a big fat zero for shelf-life after his royal career and public persona took a dive
  • BIG BUCKS – Elon Musk tops this rich list and makes the others look poor

Spitting Image is back on our screens. One of the most-watched TV shows of the 1980s and early 1990s, the uncompromising, fast-turnaround and uniquely British satirical take on global events returned this autumn to critical acclaim, delivering record-breaking subscriber numbers to BritBox.

It became the most-watched show of the year in its Saturday night ITV slot for a one-off US Election Special, and continues to enjoy incredible global success online with content of the new series watched over 60 million times at the time of writing.

With almost a hundred new characters including Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Kim Kardashian and even Covid-19, what better way to play them off against each other, than with new Spitting Image Top Trumps.

The famous card game, which was also a family favourite in the 1980s (and continues to be so today), has launched hundreds of titles over the years from Cars to Dinosaurs and Breaking Bad to Star Wars. In a game of Top Trumps, the idea is to ‘trump’ your opponent by picking a stat and hoping it beats theirs, and in brand new Spitting Image Top Trump, players have four controversial categories to pick from.

‘Dishy Rishi’ Sunak comes out as the biggest ‘heart throb’ in the pack, just beating Priti Patel, Harry and Meghan. British politician Rishi won the nation’s hearts after supporting the country during the pandemic and therefore take’s the top spot. Ed Sheeran (who is depicted with a turnip coming out of his head in the TV show), comes out almost bottom, only just beating Covid-19, sorry Ed! 

Who is after world domination? Who wants the power, or most importantly, who is capable of achieving it? With lots of characters in the pack being hungry for power, who is going to win at ‘world domination’?  There are some powerful world leaders, but of course Covid-19 has spread across the planet, wreaking havoc in pretty much every country and is therefore ready to take them on.

The next category is ‘shelf-life’… how much longer will they be seen as ‘relevant’? Well it’s no surprise that Prince Andrew gets a zero, after dropping all his royal duties this year, following his recent scandals. 17 year old Swedish activist, Greta Thunberg however, has many years left in the public eye (and probably a lot more to give the world) and therefore comes out trumps in this category. 

Who is the wealthiest? The final category is ‘bank balance’ and with a fair bit of money between them, who takes the lead? Whilst Xi JinPing and The Pope come out as being pretty minted, the winner is of course engineer and businessman, Elon Musk who has a net worth of around $93m, trumping everyone else’s bank balance and taking the win. He does however, only just beat Covid-19 who has rinsed many economies this year.

Spitting Image Top Trumps comes in a limited edition case, features 30 characters from the new series and is available for order (RRP £9.99), alongside Waddingtons No1 playing cards (RRP £3.99)  and a 1,000 piece puzzle (RRP £14.99) on AMAZON

Game On on Friday, but do not pass go …

happy-families-cards

North Edinburgh Timebank is hosting a Community Board Game Afternoon this Friday (21 March) from 3pm -4.30 pm North Edinburgh Arts (after the Treasure Hunt – see previous post)

We need a good selection of games for Friday afternoon. Do you have anything we could borrow just for Friday? We shall return any game loaned to us – with all pieces intact! Ludo, Cluedo, Kerplunk, cards, Happy Families – anything that can be played by adults and children – and doesn’t take 3 weeks to finish (no Monopoly or Risk, thanks!)

If you can help out, drop things in at NEA for Julie or phone/email me to collect.

Julie Smith

North Edinburgh Time Bank Broker
c/o North Edinburgh Arts
15a Pennywell Court
Edinburgh EH4 4TZ

Mob: 07807002591
www.edinburghtimebank.org.uk

NEdTimeBank