Stop Playing Candy Crush and Start Playing Better Games

Thanks to smartphones and tablets, we’re all gamers now. I’m a gamer, you’re a gamer, our moms are gamers, and their moms are also probably gamers. So it’s about time we start putting all that gaming to good use.

In the video above, I make the case for deleting “dumb” games like Candy Crush and recommend “smart” games that will help you improve a skill, relax and meditate, or flex those neural connections in your brain.

The apps I recommend are:

• Elevate (iOS, Android)

• Lumosity (iOS, Android)

• Orixo (iOS, Android)

• I Love Hue (iOS, Android)

• NYT Crossword (iOS, Android)

• Bonza (iOS, Android)

While it’s debatable how effective “brain training” games are, it’s hard to argue that doing math problems in Elevate or solving the NYT Crossword isn’t a better use of time than the zombie-mode tap, tap, tap of playing a game like Crossy Road.