Just like any other part of your body, your brain needs a 'workout' from time to time to keep it performing at its optimal level. Luckily, brain stimulation is not hard to come by, with many apps and websites providing cognitive exercises right at our fingertips. And while some may say these brain training programs are just a fad, the results prove otherwise; in a 2009 study conducted by Mayo Clinic, cognitively normal adults who trained their brain were able to improve their auditory information processing speed by 58 percent.

The brain is composed of a number of parts and these apps utilize different brain 'games' to challenge different areas of the brain. The left and right hemisphere of the brain is divided into four lobes: frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital. These brain parts all process and interpret different things; the apps below utilize stimulating brain 'games' to challenge different areas of the brain and help you improve areas such as problem-solving, memory, perception, reasoning, and more. All apps listed below are free and available for both Apple and Android phones.

CogniFit Brain Fitness

CogniFit develops a brain training regimen based on your performance with the app's games and your current cognitive needs. Users will be able to challenge themselves with games that improve concentration, contextual memory, visual short-term memory, and recognition. The CogniFit website also offers users more cognitive tests, training, and even tools for professionals.

BrainyApp

BrainyApp takes a well-rounded approach to brain health and users collect gems across five lifestyle categories — heart health, physical activity, mental challenges, healthy diet, and social activity — to earn points and keep their brain strong. Users can track their progress, earn badges, participate in a community forum, and get a quick snapshot of their progress with the user dashboard.

Fit Brains Trainer

Brought to you by Rosetta Stone, Fit Brains Trainer was developed by neuroscientists and was ranked the #1 education app in over 90 countries worldwide. The app has over 360 workout sessions, 12 games, and in-depth performance reports so users can track their progress. The workout sessions and games target the six different areas of the brain and the app's accompanying website offers users even more games for more challenges.

Lumosity

Lumosity users start with taking a Fit Test and get their baseline scores on three games: speed match, train of thought, and memory matrix. After the test, users can select a personalized training program that focuses on areas that need improvement or they can choose to work on the areas they are most interested in with a variety of different games. Although the app is free, users can upgrade to premium and unlock more workouts, unlimited access to over fifty games, and tracking tools to see how you compare to other users.

Elevate

Elevate uses a variety of activities including estimation, eloquence, name recall, discounting, inversion, proportion, and more to work on skills users use most in their daily lives. Users are able to select the skills they would like to improve on and receive a personalized training program. The more you train, the better and more effective your program becomes. The app has been selected by Apple as the Best App of the Year in the United States and the games have been designed by neuroscientists and cognitive learning experts.

NeuroNation

NeuroNation provides personalized training for people of all ages and helps improve memory, focus, and intelligence. Designed by scientists, NeuroNation constantly adapts based on your performance and keeps users aware of their strengths and weaknesses. The games in the app are designed to challenge but not overwhelm and can help users process information quicker, make rational decisions, and ignore distractions.