Mind Exercise: Crossword Puzzles

Mental exercise sharpens memory and delays the onset of age related mental disorders. Word and number puzzles are fun, challenge your mind, and keep you mentally alert.

Sharpen your mind and exercise your brain each day by working an online crossword or Sudoku puzzle. Puzzles are great for mental stimulation and exercising your mind. Mind and mental exercises help to keep your brain young.

USAToday offers a variety of crossword and Sudoku puzzle combinations, ranging from very easy to very difficult, all available on their Internet site. With no fees, nothing to download, and no registration required, mental stimulation is just a click away.

Most puzzles include a timer, providing a bit of self-competition.

A Brief Sampling of available Puzzles:

• Word Roundup - Find a target number of words in specific categories from among a jumble of letters. A timer paces your progress.
• Up & Down Words - The word answering one question provides a clue to the next question.
• Quick Cross - Very short, four by four crossword puzzle with a nice user interface. In addition to the timer, it tracks the number of moves you make.
• Daily Crossword - A new theme crossword each day. Work against the clock for a bit of self-competition.
• Mini Sudoku - A small version of Sudoku using the numbers 1 through 6. Many options, including a timer.
• Sudoku - The standard 9 digit version, with many options.

For more mind related articles see Mind & Attitude in the index.