We have all solved jigsaw puzzles, haven’t we? While some love doing them, some have a love hate relationship with them. On the day of World’s Puzzle Day, we thought of sharing some of the undercover benefits of solving a jigsaw puzzle that you possibly didn’t know of. If you are someone who doesn’t like solving puzzles much, you might want to reconsider that after you are done reading this.
Let us take a look at some of the benefits of solving a puzzle, shall we?
1- Enhances mindfulness
Given the constant stress that our minds are subjected to, it isn’t a surprise at all that our mind is either working on an overdrive or struggling to keep things in check. One of the best benefits of solving puzzles that stands out is the fact that it helps enhance the overall mindfulness of the mind. You will often find your worries fizzling out, when you are trying to get the pieces to match. Many people have often referred to solving a puzzle as very relaxing and therapeutic. It has also been found to help regulate high blood pressure, which again is a good deal.
2- Better brain exercise
With the constant suppressing stress, our brain functions are often subjected to a halt. If that is something that you have been experiencing, one of the best ways to charge your brain functions and promote better brain functions is by opting for some puzzles. Know for a fact that either side of the brain is programmed for functioning differently. While the left side controls the analytical and logical thinking, the right side is responsible for creativity. Solving puzzles engage both hemispheres of the brain, ensuring a very good brain exercise.
3- Boosts memory
Even though many don’t believe this, it is actually proven scientifically that solving jigsaw puzzles have been found to have amazing benefits in boosting one’s memory. Studies have found that working on the puzzles charge and trigger the existing neural connections in the brain. These have actually been found to further improve the mental speed and the overall thought process of an individual. People who are subjected to memory loss and issues surrounding that can actually benefit a lot from the same.
4- Boosts better family bonding
Not many people realize this but solving jigsaw puzzles is one of the best ways to boost family bonding. The most unique thing about this is the fact that you wouldn’t even realize the same happening, which is one of the reasons why people shy away from solving them. It can bring families around and make the whole event a very social one, making it easier for you to engage better with your family and get to know them better and spend some quality time with them as well.
5- Improves the overall problem solving skills
Yet another one of the most common and effective benefits of solving jigsaw puzzles is the fact that it helps improve the overall problem solving skills for the better. Being able to solve problems and process the critical thinking is one of the best ways to improve your overall mind games and solving puzzles can further help with the same better than what you will even realize. Since the puzzles make us opt for multiple approaches for solving them, they are often considered to be good options for improving the problem solving skills in an individual.
6- Supports better thought process
For those who aren’t aware, it is believed that solving puzzles further help in supporting better thought process. Since you are using your skills to solve it, chances are that the same will contribute to the overall prospects of improvements in your thought process. Studies have found that people who indulge in solving puzzles tend to have a better understanding of things that further help them achieve better brain functions in the long run. It also promotes sustainable understanding, which is one of the reasons why it is considered such a good option.
7- Instant mood lifters
Lastly, puzzles impose amazing benefits on your mood, helping uplift them, especially if you have been having a hard time. These have good impacts in distracting your mind, taking your mind off of the bad things that might have been happening with the overall prospects of your health. If you had a bad day at work, taking out the puzzle at night can help take off your mind from the bad, helping improve your overall mood for the better.
If you have been shying away from puzzles until now, it is time to make different choices right off the bat because they have amazing impacts on your mood, your brain functions and overall well being.
-Somapika Dutta
