Today we might not often consider jigsaw puzzles to be a rewarding hobby; however, that’s just because it’s been so long since we’ve done one! When was the last time you sat down and solved a puzzle? For most of us, the answer is either as a kid or never. The surprising truth is that puzzles can be both fun and beneficial. Even Bill Gates can’t resist difficult puzzles!
The Benefits Of Solving Difficult Puzzles
Whether you start with 300 piece jigsaw puzzles, or you jump straight into a 2000 piece puzzle, there are numerous benefits that await you. A few of the most significant include:
- Problem Solving Skills. This one may seem like a no brainer, but working on difficult puzzles can help develop stronger problem-solving capabilities. This can help you in many different facets of life, and help you see new and creative ways for solving even the toughest problems.
- Attention. You might think that tough puzzles will leave your mind wandering, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact, even those with the shortest attention spans can be enraptured. This also works as a way of training your mind to better focus during other tasks as well!
- Meditation. Completing a difficult puzzle can have a similar effect as meditation. It can bring focus to you in the present moment, and leave you feeling calm and at peace. This is because by focusing your mind you’re shutting out the other things that can make you feel stressed or anxious. If you’re like me and have trouble meditating alone, having a puzzle handy can make the process a lot simpler.
- Motor Skills. This skill is important for everyone no matter their age. If you have small children, getting them to help with a puzzle can allow them to further tune their developing fine motor skills, while for us adults, it’s a good practice to keep up!
- A Brain Exercise. When solving a difficult puzzle you have to think both logically and creatively. This forces you to use both sides of your brain, which over time can help you strengthen your mind as a whole. This also ties into problem-solving, in that you can learn to use both creative and logical approaches in working out issues.
- Memory. Jigsaw puzzles can also help strengthen your memory as you must remember different shapes, colors, and sizes to solve them. This is good for everyone but has also been shown to be particularly useful for helping stave off the onset of Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Some patients who already have been diagnosed, have additionally been able to improve some symptoms by working to solve puzzles. While this isn’t a cure, it certainly can help keep your mental faculties in the best shape possible.
- Fun. Last, but not lease, difficult puzzles are just fun. In a world where we are constantly bogged down by social media and internet gossip, it’s nice to sit back and tune out of a bit. In fact, all that social media could be doing more harm than good. Taking a step back can help destress and relax you after a long day.
If you’re looking for a way to strengthen your brain, unwind, and have fun, consider picking up a jigsaw puzzle. You can start off small with easy puzzles and work your way up, or dive headfirst into the deep end! The choice is yours, and the benefits are just waiting for you to get started. Be warned; however, once you start solving puzzles, you might never want to stop!