There are many places to find free brain exercises in our every day life. Some are genuinely good for our brain and others are just plain FUN!

One of the keys to getting something out of the free brain exercises you do, is to look for variety and challenge.

If all you do is one type of exercise your brain becomes good at that, but only that.

You may be great at crosswords but if you don't exercise your brain to maintain or improve your memory, attention, speed and processing skills you will find that they will deteriorate as you get older.

Here are a few of my favorite free brain exercises!

Free Brain Exercises - Pick Two and Try Them Today

1. Printed Puzzles, Games and Brain Exercises.

There are plenty of places to find free printed puzzles - do you know someone who buys a newspaper or magazine but doesn't do the puzzles? Just ask them for the old ones!

The types of puzzles you will find are :

• Crossword puzzles
• Sudoku
• Word Search
• Picture Puzzles
• Brain Teasers
• Riddles

2. Lumosity Brain Games.

You can try Lumosity for 14 days for free. Brain exercises at Lumosity include games such as my favorite - birdwatching. Birdwatching helps improve your use of peripheral vision. One of the most frustrating for me is the tricky Monster Garden which is a memory game - perhaps it is because I am at the Extreme level! These games are quick and easy to do with the added benefit you get feedback on how your are improving and what to focus on.

3. Borrow a Nintendo DS.

Surely you know someone with a Nintendo DS? If not you can pick one up on ebay.

The brain training phenomenon was spurred on by two main games with brain exercises on the Nintendo.

Try Big Brain Academy to find out your brain weight or Dr Kawishima's Brain Training to find out your Brain Age!

4. Games for the Brain.

Games for the Brain has some really cool games, but no scoring or feedback. Some of these games have been optimized for mobile use on your cell or PDA - so you don't have to be at your computer.

5. Sharp Brains.

The Sharp Brains website has information and research about the science behind brain training and brain health. There is a section of free brain exercises which are mostly brain teasers to keep your brain sharp! The rest of the website makes for interesting reading which also helps to keep your brain fit, especially learning about something new!

6. Miniclip Brain Training.

There are some great free brain exercises on Miniclip. Minclip has a mixture of free and paid games, and they are just that - games for fun!

7. Fit Brains.

Fit Brains is great if you like online brain training that is a bit more complex. The games on Fit Brains generally take a while to complete. I find them great to do when I am in the mood for something with a bit more meat! Whilst in beta mode it is free, but that may change - hop on and find out.

What Free Brain Exercises Will You Do?

Lack of money is no longer an excuse! You can easily find free brain exercises if you look or are a bit creative! So what will you do?

Exercise your brain today - you might even get hooked! Even better make it a habit! Your brain will thank you!