Very Puzzling

Puzzles are good for your mental health as well as brain function. Studies have shown that doing jigsaw puzzles can improve cognition , visual and spatial reasoning. It can also improve your short term memory and problem solving ability. Every day stress can evaporate and is replaced by a sense of peace and tranquility that lowers your heart rate.

Putting a puzzle together can also be good for your mental health.

Puzzling reduces stress by occupying and engaging your mind to create a sense of calm. Doing a puzzle activates both right and left sides of your brain. Whole brain activities are shown to keep you in the present moment. Mindfulness is is the ability to be aware of where we are and what we are doing and not be overly reactive or overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts or worries.

You only think to solve the puzzle. Your concentration is on a single piece of the puzzle while closing your mind to other thoughts. For that period of time you are stress free and relaxed. Focusing on a single task, like completing a puzzle, can put your mind into a meditative state and create a sense of peace. Being in the present moment can also improve your memory and cognitive abilities.

You can also use puzzles as a way to connect your family. Leaving one out on a table and family members can sit for a few minutes and by a common goal strengthen ties. It also also for conversation while participating in an activity and that makes conversations easier for some people, particularly teenagers.