Solving jigsaw puzzles is a popular hobby that people do for fun and relaxation. But that’s not all jigsaw puzzles are good for. Did you know: in addition to having fun, putting puzzles together provides several health benefits?
It’s true, that many adults have experienced improvements in mood, memory, and illnesses. In this article, we are going to discuss all the amazing benefits of puzzles and how they can help you improve your mental function.
Sharpens your brain
Research has shown that adults who do puzzles have better brain function and can delay the onset of dementia. Can you believe participating in a fun activity is a brain exercise? Puzzles cause both sides of your brain (the right / creativity side and the left/logical, methodical side) to work together. The result? Increased cognitive function.
Lowers Blood Pressure
Sometimes those hundreds of tiny puzzle pieces can look scary, but nevertheless, they have a plethora of benefits. In fact, the harder the puzzle, the better the benefits. Plan carefully and be patient because solving a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle is absolutely possible!
Blood pressure is lowered as your stress levels lower, and putting together a puzzle is no different than standing in a mountain pose while you meditate. No joke, doing puzzles is like doing yoga, and after a while, heart rate, stress level, and blood pressure drop, and peace and relaxation rise.
Makes You a Better Employee
Working long hours and feeling crushed by demands from an employer can cause your stress levels to skyrocket. And it might even make you want to quit. But all the unhappiness that work causes you can be switched around if you incorporate puzzles into your life. Less stress equals a happier, more focused employee. Therefore, puzzle solving can improve your productivity by refreshing your mind and helping you disconnect from the day’s stressors.
Builds TeamWork and Collaboration
Puzzles aren’t just an activity to teach kids teamwork, puzzles also encourage collaboration with adults. In fact, incorporating puzzles into the workplace has been shown to build better communication and cooperation between coworkers.
As a family activity, as with any activity done together, puzzles help grow strong bonds with the ones you love. If you have the space, designate a table or spot where your entire family and join in and work on your togetherness.
Helps Depression and Anxiety
Making puzzles a new hobby can help the crippling feeling anxiety causes and can tame those awful racing thoughts. Problem-solving activities lower anxiety and calm the soul, body, and mind. So in some sense, it’s like going to therapy.
Dopamine production is increased while you sit matching puzzle pieces. So while creating a beautiful picture of a sunflower field or tranquil waterfall, you’re also regulating your mood.
Opt-in for challenging puzzles
Easy puzzles are fantastic for the brain, giving you stimulation and healthy brain benefits. But picture this – the harder the puzzle, the harder your brain works to solve it, causing new parts of the brain to act. So definitely try out that hard sudoku page or purchase a 1,000-piece jigsaw to put together!
Practice makes perfect
The more you solve puzzles, the better you get at it, so don’t worry if they feel too complicated at first. What might feel more like a chore will soon become your favorite pass time.
Solving puzzles is so much more than the feel-good sensation you get once it’s finished. Brain-activating games have the same cause and effect as going to the gym. Your brain is getting “fit”. From boosted mood to improved memory, regularly solving puzzles is positively affecting your brain.