Brain Exercises: Games by Marilyn Vos Savant, Rule Changes to Enhance Creativity, and 100 Leisure Time Ideas at Home

Brain Exercises: Games Used by Marilyn Vos Savant

You’ve probably heard of Marilyn Vos Savant, the woman who set a world record in 1974 by memorizing 2,150 digits, earning the nickname “the living computer.” Her phenomenal memory and brain-training methods continue to inspire many to this day. Marilyn pioneered unique brain training groups that help individuals tap into their hidden intellectual potential and achieve remarkable results.

There are numerous exercises that Marilyn utilized to train her brain and enhance her abilities. Here are a few of them:

1. Memorizing Cards: Start by thoroughly shuffling a deck of cards and laying them out. Marilyn Fund’s group used visualization techniques. Picture the place where the cards are laid out and begin mentally memorizing their order. This method of visual memory is incredibly effective: information tied to vivid images is much easier to remember. Try creating bright and unusual images for each card to strengthen your memory.
2. Learning New Words: Each week, pick a new word to enrich your vocabulary. Use it as often as possible in your daily conversations and writing. For instance, if you learn the word “energum” (a person full of enthusiasm), you could say, “My friend is a real energum when it comes to sports and healthy living.” This practice not only boosts your memory but also enhances logical thinking and communication skills.
3. Studying Poetry: Marilyn Fund believed that poems are excellent for brain development. Choose a poem that inspires you and learn it by heart. For example, “The Night, the Street, the Lantern, the Pharmacy” by Alexander Blok. Memorizing poetry improves memory, enhances concentration, and cultivates an appreciation for beauty.
4. Keeping a Journal: Write in a journal every day. This habit not only improves your writing skills but also fosters self-reflection and Creative thinking. Describe your day, your emotions and thoughts, or invent a short story. This method helps you better understand yourself, analyze your experiences, and unlock your creative potential.
5. Identifying Numbers in Words: Turn letters into numbers to develop metaphorical thinking. For example, the word “modifications” can be transformed into “m0dific4tions” by replacing some letters with similarly shaped digits. This playful approach fosters associative and creative thinking.

These exercises can significantly enhance cognitive abilities. It’s important to use different approaches and methods to develop various brain functions. Experiment with new games and exercises, strive for new heights in creativity and intellectual growth, and you will discover new horizons of your potential.

In the next section, we will explore even more engaging exercises designed to enhance your creative and logical skills.

100 Engaging Ways to Enrich Your Leisure Time at Home

When you find yourself spending a lot of time within the walls of your home, it can truly test your creativity and patience. Monotony can quickly trap you, making each day feel the same. However, there are countless wonderful ways to make your time at home fulfilling and enjoyable. If you’re looking for something to do, here are 100 creative ideas to help you pass the time productively and with pleasure:

1. Try Your Hand at a New Hobby. Have you always wanted to learn something new? Whether it’s ukulele playing, flamenco dancing, or crafting polymer clay jewelry, now is the perfect opportunity!

2. Host a Movie Marathon. How about rewatching all the films from your favorite director or binge-watching a series like Marvel or “Star Wars”? Invite family or friends to an online gathering and have a discussion after each movie.

3. Master Culinary Delights. Treat yourself and your loved ones by experimenting with recipes from various cuisines. Create French croissants, Mexican tacos, or Japanese sushi. You could even host themed nights with matching decor and music.

4. Home Improvement and Design. Looking to refresh your decor? Create a new cozy reading nook, rearrange the furniture, or add new DIY decor elements to your space.

5. Board Games and Puzzles. Revitalize your collection of board games or invest in some new ones. Fun puzzles and games will not only occupy your mind but also allow you to have a good time with family.

6. Dedicate Time to Reading. Immerse yourself in uncharted literature—from classic novels to contemporary bestsellers. Consider organizing a book club with friends that includes weekly discussions about what you’ve read.

These suggestions are just a small glimpse into what you can do while staying at home. Get inspired and don’t hesitate to experiment! Whether you opt for a creative project, physical activity, or something that feeds your soul, the key is to find joy and satisfaction in what you choose to pursue.

1. Try cooking a new recipe. For instance, bake something exotic like French croissants or Asian spring rolls. You’ll gain new culinary skills and delight your family with tasty surprises.
2. Set up a picnic on your balcony or in your backyard. Lay down a cozy blanket, pack a basket of snacks, and enjoy the sunny day or starry night.
3. Learn a new word in a foreign language and incorporate it into your everyday conversations. For example, find out how to say “joy” in French (joie) and try using it in dialogue.
4. Explore a new hobby: knitting, drawing, sewing, etc. You might be surprised at how enjoyable and relaxing it can be.
5. Watch a movie or a series in a different genre. If you usually stick to comedies, challenge yourself to watch a thriller or a documentary.
6. Find a new game and play it with family or friends. Consider options like “Codenames” or “Ticket to Ride”—both are fun choices for any gathering.
7. Write a letter to a friend or family member. In our technology-driven age, handwritten notes feel especially heartfelt and romantic.
8. Call someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. A simple gesture like this can bring immense satisfaction and joy to both you and your conversation partner.
9. Read a new book. Getting lost in a different world through its pages is a wonderful way to learn something new and find inspiration.
10. Make a charitable donation online. Give time or resources to a cause you care about, such as supporting orphanages or animal shelters.
11. Create a new music playlist. Curate songs that lift your spirits or help you unwind.
12. Show off your dance skills by learning a new dance. It could be a solo routine or something with a partner like salsa or tango.
13. Jot down your thoughts and feelings in a journal. Writing can help you better understand yourself and clear your mind.
14. Enjoy a spa day at home: treat yourself to a face mask, manicure, or pedicure. Set the scene for relaxation and self-care right in your living space.
15. Try a new type of workout. Get into Pilates or experiment with high-intensity interval training (HIIT).
16. Have a fun photoshoot at a local studio. Explore creative and playful concepts using different props and lighting.
17. Create your own cocktail menu. Experiment with ingredients to craft unique drinks for a party or a quiet evening.
18. Host an online party with friends. Use video calls to hang out, play virtual games, or just catch up.
19. Organize a tea party with your mom or grandma. Tasty tea, homemade pastries, and pleasant conversations create a warm and cozy atmosphere.
20. Take a virtual tour of a museum or art gallery. Services like Google Arts & Culture offer virtual experiences of the most famous exhibitions worldwide.
21. Teach yourself a new dish and create your own cooking show. Record the process and share your culinary success with friends or on social media.
22. Make personalized souvenirs like t-shirts or pillows for friends and family. Use fabric paint or heat transfer stickers to create unique designs.
23. Do some embroidery to hang on your wall. It could be a quote, a picture, or even intricate patterns—whatever suits your style and skills.
24. Join an online garden tour of London or another city. It’s a fantastic opportunity to explore beautiful sites without leaving home.
25. Create a photo album of your life. Gather images from different stages, add captions and comments—this will help preserve cherished memories.
26. Organize a streaming event with friends. Choose a theme and share your knowledge or experiences, whether it’s a movie review, cooking show, or video game tournament.
27. Try your hand at a new sport: frisbee, badminton, curling, or bowling. Discover something you’ve never attempted before to mix up your physical activities.
28. Plan a movie night at home with hot cocoa and popcorn. Prepare delicious snacks and watch films with your family or friends.
29. Explore a new form of meditation or yoga. Look into mindfulness practices or yoga nidra for deep relaxation.
30. Play classic board games like Monopoly or Chess. It’s a great way to enhance strategic thinking and communication skills.
31. Create your own logo or font. Design a unique symbol or text that reflects your personality or project.
32. Try a new type of massage: Thai or lymphatic drainage massage. This experience will help you relax and improve your well-being.
33. Host a trivia game on Zoom with friends. Prepare questions and challenges to test your knowledge and see who’s the most erudite among you.
34. Knit your own cashmere scarf or hat. Find suitable yarn and patterns that will keep you warm while adding a stylish accessory to your wardrobe.
35. Invite friends to a camera-to-camera game in a chat room. It could be trivia, guessing games, or any other fun activity.
36. Try a new math puzzle like a Rubik’s Cube or Sudoku. These brain teasers will sharpen your logic skills and provide a welcome distraction.
37. Experiment with a new makeup style or hairstyle. Watch tutorial videos and have fun trying things out in the mirror—you may discover your new signature look.
38. Watch live animal cams at the zoo online. Many zoos offer real-time webcams to observe animals in their habitats.
39. Offer to lend a hand to friends or family for a day. Help with chores, childcare, or projects needing extra hands—you’ll be appreciated!
40. Create lemon batik or sun paper. These crafting projects will allow you to make unique designs on fabric or paper using natural colors and sunlight.
41. Host an online trivia night with fun questions and challenges to ensure a lively and competitive atmosphere.
42. Take a meditative approach to Decision-making. Set aside time for deep reflection and seek inner calm to make important decisions.
43. Make wall art using paper or wire wool. Craft unique decorative pieces to brighten up your interior space.
44. Create your own Pokémon character. Draw or mold your version of this beloved character, adding new abilities and a unique look.
45. Start your own blog or podcast. Share your knowledge, interests, or observations with the world—it’s a fantastic way to connect with like-minded individuals.
46. Watch an online film you’ve never seen before. Diving into a new cinematic experience can be inspiring and spark fresh ideas.
47. Try learning a new dance style: salsa, Caribbean, Bollywood, or Argentine tango. Mastering different rhythms and movements will broaden your dance horizons.
48. Write your own graphic novel. This is an excellent way to unleash your creativity and craft an engaging story in comic form.
49. Organize a virtual volunteering marathon. Get involved in online projects or participate in charity events to help those in need.
50. Host an origami night with friends. Fold various paper shapes while enjoying a fun and creative atmosphere.
51. Create animal latex masks. Crafting these masks can be a fun creative project, perfect for costume parties.
52. Try a new method of making coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. For example, whip up elegant Dalgona coffee or refine your skills in brewing matcha tea.
53. Watch an online musical performance. Enjoy live concerts or musical showcases from renowned artists over the internet.
54. Organize baking sessions for children with your neighbors. Bake cookies or bread together—it’s both fun and promotes teamwork.
55. Explore an esoteric approach to finding answers. Turn to tarot cards or other divinatory tools for fresh perspectives on current situations.
56. Make a paper pyramid to display on a table or windowsill. It serves as a lovely decorative element and a symbol of tranquility and harmony.
57. Plan online tours of museums, churches, castles, or palaces. Discover the culture and history of different countries without stepping outside.
58. Engage in bead crafting with daffodil, seed beads, and modeling clay. Create jewelry or decorative items for your home from scratch.
59. Try a new water sport: kayaking, waterskiing, or diving. These activities will introduce you to the exciting underwater world and add adventure to your life.
60. Create your own website for online courses or an e-commerce store. Share your expertise or products with a wide audience, promoting your ideas online.
61. Watch an online concert from a philharmonic orchestra. Immerse yourself in the world of classical music and enjoy virtuosic performances.
62. Organize an online marathon for educational discussions. Participate in thematic discussions and meetings, making them engaging and informative.
63. Try a new cooking workshop or baking class. Bake bread or pies to hone your culinary skills while treating your loved ones to homemade goodness.
64. Create your own cocktail course. Develop and film a series of tutorials on making diverse drinks to share with friends or followers.
65. Host your own auction featuring lots created by you. It can be a fun experience for friends and acquaintances, showcasing your creative flair.
66. Ask your friends to send you live photos, then compile them into a display. Create a collage or album to cherish pleasant memories.
67. Design your own colorful poster. Use drawings, photos, and text to create a unique and vibrant composition to decorate your space.
68. Try your hand at a new type of baking workshop or brand. Develop unique recipes and test your skills in the baking world.
69. Explore a new form of cycling or self-drive rallying. Discover new places while enjoying beautiful scenery at your own pace.
70. Organize an offline marathon for consuming organic products or fast food. Compare different dietary approaches to find the most suitable and delicious for you.
71. Create your own photo exhibition. Select your best shots and prepare them for display, hosting a small showing for friends or the public.
72. Watch an online masterclass on cake or cupcake making. Learn how to prepare exquisite and tasty desserts that will impress at any gathering.
73. Organize an online musical marathon. Exchange experiences and learn new things with fellow music enthusiasts.
74. Connect to online health interviews. Participate in webinars or chats with experts to gain useful insights and tips for caring for your health.

How Changing Game Rules Can Foster Creative Thinking

Games aren’t just a fantastic way to have fun; they’re also powerful tools for developing creative thinking. In a world where creativity is more valuable than gold, games serve as effective workouts for our brains. One of the best ways to broaden your perspective, become smarter, and more resourceful is by altering the rules, essence, and objectives of well-known games.

Imagine transforming a classic chess match into a unique creative challenge by giving each piece special “abilities.” For instance, a pawn can suddenly leap over other pieces, and a knight can move both in an “L” shape and diagonally. These tweaks force players to think outside the box and devise new strategies for victory.

Another striking example is modifying the rules of the board game Monopoly. You could create your own “Chance” and “Community Chest” cards, adding unexpected and amusing tasks. For example, “Send your opponent to the nearest deserted island for three turns” or “Build a skyscraper instead of a regular building.” This not only introduces an element of surprise but also requires players to quickly adapt to new situations.

Finally, consider tweaking the rules of Scrabble. Instead of the standard word formation, you could introduce a theme to which all words on the board must adhere. Themes can range from “Scientific Terms” to “Food Items,” compelling players to expand their vocabulary and employ creative thinking.

In summary, changing the rules of familiar games not only elevates the fun but also stimulates intellectual growth. It’s a great way to enhance analytical skills, learn to adapt to new conditions, and consistently exercise your creative mind.

Examples of Rule Changes in Popular Games

Classic board games like Monopoly and Chess have been around for decades. While they’ve proven to be beloved pastimes, there’s always room to spice up their rules and adapt to modern trends. Let’s dive into a few examples.

Take Monopoly, for instance. Despite its long-standing history, the potential for changes in this game is almost limitless. Imagine introducing new types of properties such as eco-friendly homes or high-tech skyscrapers that offer additional bonuses. Or consider adding unexpected events to the game. What if you had “unforeseen circumstances” that could flood a street or result in a technological breakthrough, altering property values? These innovations would make the game more dynamic and unpredictable, keeping players engaged until the very end.

Chess, as another example, also offers ample room for experimentation. Instead of the traditional goal of checkmating the opponent’s king, alternative victory conditions could be introduced. For instance, the winner could be the player who captures a certain number of enemy pawns or manages to place three of their pieces in key positions on the board. This would shift the focus from merely defending the king to strategically conquering specific pieces and territories.

And it’s not just the classics that can be adapted. Take the popular card game UNO. Unique action cards could be added to shake up the standard gameplay and rule structure. Imagine cards that change the color of every card in a player’s hand or cards that allow a player to swap hands with an opponent.

By diversifying rules and introducing new mechanics, classic games can remain relevant and exciting for new generations of players while preserving their originality and spirit.

Developing Creative Thinking and Strategic Planning Skills

Changing the rules of the game offers a unique opportunity not only to diversify your usual processes but also to significantly enrich your mental toolkit. Such updates foster the development of creative thinking and the ability to strategically plan your actions. When faced with new rules, you must reassess your familiar strategies, reevaluate your approaches, and pay attention to details that may have previously gone unnoticed.

It’s important to recognize that a fresh perspective on the game allows you to cultivate a variety of intellectual skills. For instance, in chess, adapting to new rules may require careful tactics and the ability to foresee possible moves several steps ahead. Similarly, consider the board game “Monopoly”: introducing new conditions could mean rethinking your financial strategy and balancing risks against rewards.

This need to adapt to changing circumstances enhances your logical thinking, improves your ability to analyze the current situation, anticipate opponents’ next moves, and discover innovative, unconventional solutions. Ultimately, these changes and adaptations in gameplay make you more flexible, resourceful, and better prepared for real-life challenges.

Humor and Breaking the Rules

Games with altered rules can turn into not just a fun pastime but also a powerful tool for developing a sense of humor and the ability to break stereotypes, creating something new and surprising. Imagine playing chess in a three-dimensional space instead of on a traditional board, or a game of Twister where participants must move in reverse. Such changes introduce an element of surprise and require players to think creatively and adapt.

Now, picture playing classic Monopoly, but with a twist: every Chance card introduces a new rule created by you. For example, “Go on vacation to the Bahamas and collect $1,000” or “Move to any unoccupied space and claim it for free.” These kinds of experiments help dismantle old frameworks and pave the way for fresh, unexpected solutions, which can lead to some of life’s most memorable moments.

In this way, modifying the rules of familiar games becomes not only an entertaining activity but also a means of unlocking your creative potential, enhancing analytical skills, and fostering a love for breaking away from tradition and established norms. Sometimes, all it takes to make the world more vibrant and interesting is a simple change in its rules.

Exercises for Developing Communication and Empathy Skills

In an age where the world is flooded with information, the ability to listen attentively and understand others is no longer just a desirable skill; it’s a necessity. A deep awareness of different perspectives, sensitivity to emotions, and the ability to engage in productive dialogue enhance both our professional and personal lives. One effective exercise to cultivate these skills involves the following technique:

1. Make an agreement with someone close to you to ask at least five questions during your conversation.
2. Before you start the discussion, think of an interesting and unexpected question that will surely resonate with your conversation partner, but keep it a secret.
3. Once you pose your first question, focus intently on the response as if it were the most crucial moment of the conversation.
4. Based on what you’ve heard, formulate a new question that logically extends the dialogue and aims to deepen your understanding of the topic.
5. Repeat this exercise five times with different people to gather diverse viewpoints and appreciate the variety of thought.

Regularly practicing this exercise strengthens essential skills such as active listening, empathy, attention to detail, and keen observation. Imagine a scenario where your colleague shares their struggles with a project. Instead of offering a standard response, try to delve into their challenges with questions like, “What do you find most challenging about this task?” or “What solution do you think would be most effective?” This not only deepens your understanding of the situation, but also demonstrates your genuine interest in the other person.

Such practices do more than improve your communication; they help prevent misunderstandings and conflicts, build trust, and position you as a valuable conversational partner. Learn to show sincere interest in those around you, and you’ll discover how transformative attention and understanding can be in your life.

Exercise to Name 100 Words Starting with a Letter

Self-improvement is an exciting journey, and one of the most engaging brain exercises is the challenge of naming 100 words that start with a specific letter. This game not only expands your vocabulary but also sparks creative thinking. It’s best to start with letters that have a wealth of words associated with them, making it easier to get going. For instance, the letter “S” offers plenty of options: “sofa,” “squirrel,” “sugar,” and so on.

Recognizing that our vocabulary is much broader than the words we use in everyday conversation is crucial for personal growth. It’s akin to learning new languages—while you might think you know a lot of words, a simple chat in a new language can leave countless hidden terms untouched. This exercise with nouns helps bring forth those words we seldom use or might even have forgotten. For example, words starting with “A” could include “arch,” “automobile,” “airline,” and many more.

The rules of the game are straightforward and easy to remember. First and foremost, you can only name nouns. For instance, the words “forest” and “forester” are considered one word due to their common root, whereas “tree” and “sawmill” count as two separate words. Another example: “cat” and “kitten” can be seen as variations of the same word, while “cat” and “cooking pot” are definitely two different ones.

Don’t worry if you can’t immediately name 100 words starting with a given letter. The focus isn’t on the quantity of words you’re able to come up with but rather the cognitive workout itself. This exercise enhances your associative thinking, memory, imagination, and concentration. Ultimately, you’ll be amazed at how much your creative and logical thinking abilities improve.

Try BrainApps
for free

59 courses
100+ brain training games
No ads

Get started