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Brain Games That Actually Help
Trivia: Which 1964 U.S. Supreme Court case established “one person, one vote” for state legislative districts?
RetireHub
August 29, 2025
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Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Friday newsletter is here!
Today we’re sharing fun tips on brain games that actually help, along with the best deals, fun trivia, and more!
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What We’re Reading
Get these e-book deals before they’re gone.
 | By: Ava Strong Police officer and single mom Megan York is doing her best to raise her daughter in her small Midwestern town, hoping her past won’t come back to haunt her and that her violent ex won’t be released from prison. But when women turn up murdered on local sailboats, victims of a serial killer, Megan must enter the mind of a killer and tackle the toughest case of her career—while her ex comes up for parole. Can Megan stop a killer—and save her family? |
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On this day in 2005 Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast in Louisiana, unleashing unprecedented devastation on New Orleans. The catastrophic flooding, caused by breached levees, claimed nearly 1,400 lives and left behind one of the most expensive disasters in U.S. history.
Brain Games That Actually Help: Boosting Your Mind Without the Gimmicks
In a world full of apps promising to “rewire your brain” or “make you smarter,” it’s fair to ask: which brain games actually help? The truth is, not all puzzles are created equal. But science does support a few targeted types of mental activities that can keep your mind sharp, especially as we age.
Think Beyond the Flashy Apps
While many brain-training apps offer colorful games and quick challenges, their long-term benefits are often limited. Research suggests that while you may get better at the specific game you’re playing, that improvement doesn’t always carry over into everyday memory, focus, or decision-making. What does work? Games and activities that challenge multiple cognitive functions—like strategy, memory, language, and speed—and feel meaningful or fun enough to stick with.
Puzzles, Strategy, and Word Play
Crossword puzzles, sudoku, and logic games aren’t just classics—they’re brain food. Crossword puzzles, for instance, activate memory, language recall, and pattern recognition all at once. Sudoku and number games improve attention and problem-solving skills. Even better? Strategic board games like chess, Scrabble, or Rummikub. These not only require planning and memory but also offer social interaction, which is a major plus for brain health.
Learn Something New
One of the best “brain games” isn’t a game at all—it’s learning a new skill. Whether it’s picking up a new language, learning how to watercolor, or playing the ukulele, activities that stretch your brain into unfamiliar territory create new neural connections. That’s the gold standard when it comes to cognitive longevity.
The Power of Real-Life Challenges
Sometimes, everyday tasks offer more brainpower than we realize. Organizing a new closet system, planning a trip, navigating unfamiliar streets, or even trying a new recipe from memory all require problem-solving, sequencing, and working memory. Think of them as mini brain workouts built right into your life.
Make It a Habit, Not a Hassle
The key isn’t to chase perfection—it’s to engage your brain in varied, stimulating ways on a regular basis. Mix it up: do a crossword in the morning, play a word game after lunch, and try a new recipe on the weekend.
The goal isn’t to outsmart aging—it’s to stay mentally active, curious, and connected. And that’s a brain game worth playing.
Yesterday’s Poll Results: What’s the First Phrase You Always Learn in a New Language?
Turns out, we’re a polite bunch—“Hello” and “Goodbye” ran away with the lead, with nearly 60% choosing greetings as their first phrase to learn in a new language. “Thank you” followed with a respectful 21.8%, proving that a little gratitude really does go a long way. While only 1.2% are focused on ordering coffee right away (surprising!), bathroom logistics and bargaining power each earned a handful of votes. And of course, a few adventurous spirits had answers that didn’t fit the mold—perhaps learning to say, “I’m lost, please help!”
TOP COMMENTS
“In my younger years (while a nautical officer in the merchant marine ) ordering a beer was one of the first phrases I learned in a number of languages followed by ‘Thank you’”
“I also find the phrase, ‘Excuse me’ or the equivalent in the local language to be helpful when requesting someone's attention or when moving through crowded locations.”
“Please and thanks. And How to do ‘cheers’ !! I can toast a drink in 8 languages.”
Your Best Self Is Still Evolving—No Expiry Date Required
When a line from The Dutch House suggests our “best self” belongs to youth, that notion meets a warm, resounding refusal here: our best selves are not fixed behind us but continually unfolding. Thanks to the wisdom and richness of age, every passing day offers new opportunities—whether learning a skill, challenging the mind and body, or simply savoring life's small joys. Being your best self isn’t about hitting a peak but about embracing growth, kindness, and joy—no matter the year.
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Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Stroll Goals
Meaning: A lighthearted phrase describing an ideal walking experience—whether it's a scenic route, a satisfying step count, or simply a walk that lifts your mood. Often used to celebrate peaceful, picturesque, or purposeful strolls that feel just right.
In a sentence: “An iced coffee in hand, the roses in bloom, and not a single hill in sight—now that’s what I call stroll goals.”
Good News of the Day
Washington Bets on the Forests of Tomorrow—77,000 Acres Preserved Today
In a sweeping conservation effort, Washington State has designated 77,000 acres of biologically rich, mid-aged forests—known as “structurally complex” or “legacy forests”—as protected land. These forests may not yet be ancient, but they’re teeming with biodiversity, play a critical role in carbon storage and wildfire resistance, and represent the future old-growth groves of tomorrow.
Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove calls this move “the biggest step forward in forest conservation in a generation,” acknowledging that these forests benefit not just wildlife and ecosystems, but also our changing climate and local communities. While 29,000 acres of similar forest remain open for sustainable harvest to support schools and counties, the protected land opens new paths—like selling carbon credits and ecosystem services—to support communities in more climate-smart ways.
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RetireHub Trivia
Want more trivia? Play our “Nostalgia Trivia Game” on our site! We add fresh questions daily, so there’s always something new to test your knowledge.
Not into trivia? No worries! We’ve got plenty of other fun games to enjoy, like:
Which animal is uniquely known for producing cube-shaped droppings? |
Which 1964 U.S. Supreme Court case established “one person, one vote” for state legislative districts? |
Which company released the first commercially available consumer CD player in 1982 (model CDP-101)? |
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