Puzzles are generally great for a time pass or as a hobby. Age is no bar to solve puzzles. There is one for every kind of person and their age. Playing or trying to solve puzzles not only does belong in the hobby group but also is great for the mind and health.
Jigsaw puzzles in particular have a lot of health benefits where it concerns the brain.
What is a jigsaw puzzle?
Jigsaw puzzles are of the tiling type which consists of shapes that need to be interlocked to solve the puzzle. The shapes are irregular but when interlocked put up a complete picture. The puzzles vary in sizes typically upon the number of pieces the entire picture or mosaic is broken into. The more number of pieces, the more complicated it is and more the level of concentration it requires to solve the puzzle.
The jigsaw puzzle is bringing back a silent revolution that makes screen time take a back seat. Ever since the pandemic began people started spending more time inside locked up in homes. Screen time not only increased for kids but also for adults. The re-entry of the jigsaw puzzles as a family game sure is a tough competitor to the screen times.
Not only that puzzle solving gave it a chance for the family to engage but it also had health benefits even for the elderly. So there is no way they’re giving you a no the next time you call them to play.
Benefits of Puzzling
Here are some benefits of puzzling that would convince you if you had not given it a thought to start and for you to convince others.
Improve visual-spatial reasoning
Imagining and visualising shape and objects position in mind to see where they fit and their relationship with other shapes is called visual-spatial reasoning. When you try putting up the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle your mind takes time to see where the pieces fit into the bog picture. This requires closer attention to the individual pieces. So improvising the skill is also helpful when you drive car, use a map , do packing or even understand movements in dance and try to master them.
Pay great attention to detail
When the puzzle has many similar pieces, it requires greater level of attention to notice the differences and help in completing the puzzle. This requires the eyes to scan for detail and understand the minute differences which can be applied to real life situations. This also plays an important role in the quality of work if we choose to apply the precision.
Improves short-term memory
Solving jigsaw puzzles helps in sparking and strengthening the neural connections. This in turn gives rise to a lot of new connections, which increase our solving speed and thought process.
When we choose a piece we look for similar pieces to make it fit into the picture. The mind visualizes the image on large scale and keeps it in memory to find similar pieces. When you store this information it helps in improving short term memory.
Problem solving capability
To solve a problem we use a lot of approaches in trial and error methodologies. We check hypothesis, theories and formulas when things don’t go as we plan them. This helps us in changing perspectives. This skill of problem solving or critical thinking can be applied to work because it helps us in having better adaptive skills.
Better mood and less stress
Solving a puzzle helps you relax and making it a stress relieving activity. It helps the brain switch states and be alert. Dopamine production is greatly increased when we solve puzzle. Dopamine is responsible for mood uplifting and optimism. Every time we set the piece in the right place dopamine gets released which makes you want to do more of it. It helps in memory, concentration and motivation.
Great activity for me-time
Solving jigsaw puzzles can be a great activity for people who want to spend time with themselves. To unwind ourselves from the digital lifestyle this is a great way to de-stress.
Exercises both left and right brain
When you solve jigsaw puzzle you exercise both the left and right brain. The left brain is logical and right brain works creative , so when you are putting up the pieces in the puzzle its a mental workout that keeps both sides engaged.
Puzzle regularly and live longer
People who solve puzzles jigsaw and crossword have less chances of developing alzheimers disease and memory loss. This increases life span. Solving puzzles help in stimulating brain and helps in warding off the plaque that marks the start of Alzheimers disease.
BENEFITS FOR KIDS
Kids benefit in many ways in terms of physical, emotional and cognition when they play jigsaw puzzles.
When we say emotional benefits we say that children improve self-confidence, self-control and patience.
The physical benefits include motor skills like hand eye coordination and fine grip between the thumb and index fingers.
The cognition improvement helps in developing their concentration and perception.
Start with puzzles that have interesting themes for children and you will definitely see them take a liking towards solving them. Happy puzzling.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla and sponsored by Queen’s Brigade.
That Madras Mom 
Jigsaw puzzle is a great source of medium to implement and nourish brain development. It is not only for kids but also good for adults too to keep their minds active and productive.
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There is no age for solving jigsaw puzzles. Even at this age, I love solving them. I didn’t know there were so many benefits of it. Thanks for sharing about them.
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We too have intricate puzzles at home. I and my daughters loved doing them, they sure are stress busters.
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These are some helpful pointers for sure, Jigsaw puzzles improves logical thinking and is a stress buster for me
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Jigsaw puzzles are great for kids as well.as adults and I totally agree with all your pointers. My daughter is very fond of it and we currently own many of them from Frank and Webby.
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Jigsaw puzzles really engage kids and adult , spread smile, help understanding each other. My son and daughter love them and I am happy to help them sometimes.
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All the points you have mentioned are correct. Jigsaw puzzles indeed help both kids & adults in various ways. I indulge in it too.
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Puzzles are one of the most loved thing in our house. Our entire family love to spend time making puzzles and solving the big ones. We have recently invested in a 300 piece puzzle and it’s so much fun. And I really loved that our habit has got so many benefits that you have listed above.
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I have never been too good with puzzles. Though I try to play with them online. They are really good to engage your kids specially nowadays when the kids are too hyperactive. But have never played it with the entire family. Will take up your suggestion and try it out.
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I loved jigsaws as a child. Even till a few years ago, I used to buy and solve them. However, I haven’t done one recently. Your post rekindled my memories and makes me want to get one soon 🙂 For kids, the easiest to start off is to print a jigsaw puzzle on paper, stick it on a KG cardboard, make them cut it and then solve it! Good to keep them occupied and a DIY activity too.
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I agree with you 100 percent! Jigsaw puzzles are so much fun and come with many added benefits. Thank you for writing this useful post!
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I love jigsaw puzzles, they are such fun. I usually pick up and collect puzzles once in a while to solve.
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I love jigsaw puzzles, they are such fun. I usually pick up and collect puzzles once in a while to solve. I agree that they stimulate the brain and help in thinking.
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Oh yes, I love nigsaw puzzles and my son too loves them. They are quite engaging and good for mind exercise.
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I agree with you. Jigsaw puzzles are a great way to improve eye-hand coordination and more importantly, memory. Sad that not many people solve jigsaw when they grow old.
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I totally agree with you. I have seen it first hand with my grandson. He was not yet one when we started giving him puzzles. By the age of 3 he could do a huge puzzle of the world map on the floor. I too love puzzles as they really make your mind work and relax at the same time.
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I love solving jigsaw puzzles with my daughter. They are not only important for our child’s cognition and mood enhancement but, I also find it a great way to spend time with kids…
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I love solving jigsaw puzzles. I completely agree with you on the benefits. They are a great way to exercise both the left and right brain. And puzzles of any form help keep Alzheimer’s at bay. Excellent post!
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I did not know that jigsaw puzzle has so many benefits for everyone. I have heard that solving jigsaw and crosswords have fewer chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss. Great and informative post.
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Jigsaw puzzles bring back a lot of childhood memories. And even my children love solving these puzzles and have seen an improvement in their self-confidence, self-control and patience.
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My daughter is a fan of jigsaw puzzle and age can solved any jigsaw dispute of its difficult level. Dint knew it had so many benefits.
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I have always loved jigsaws and so does my daughter! In fact I get complicated puzzles for her so that I can entertain myself.
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True my son loves playing the puzzles he have and he gets a sense of pride on finishing it faster than me.
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Both my kids love jigjaw puzzles and by the time they had turned 3, they would solve it effortlessly. My son is 5 and still loves to play with them and now he solves 80 to 100 pieces puzzle. Puzzles are the best for concentration.
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Making puzzles has always been a fun, even meditative activity, and the benefits you have outlined in this post, has made this activity even more attractive!
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