The 21st century may be the digital age, but certain traditional movements still have a market today. Vinyl records, handicrafts, and of course, traditional board games. Sure, they might have been adapted online, but the fun is still intact.
Such a board game that not only involved leisure but also put our brains to slog was jigsaw puzzles.
Jigsaw has been around for more than 250 years. Believe it or not, the first puzzle was a chopped-up wooden map that was asked to be put together. Now it serves as a popular teaching method among geography teachers.
Jigsaw puzzles have helped us in unimaginable ways, and people who are good at it apply its teaching in life. Here, we will be looking at a few surprising benefits jigsaw puzzles provide if you play them regularly.
Improves Your Mood
In a study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, researchers found that subjects who were given puzzles to complete before taking an IQ test scored higher than those who weren't. The study’s author, Dr. Walter Schneider, explained why this might be so. “People who solve jigsaw puzzles or Sudoku spend less time aggravating and more time relaxing,” he said. “They're not just playing with their minds, they're also improving their mood.”
So not only does doing puzzles make you smarter (sort of), but it also helps improve your mood. In fact, there's a scientific term for this phenomenon – ‘flow.’
Increases Brain Power
Puzzles help improve memory and spatial reasoning, both of which are important for brain health. They require concentration, focus, and problem-solving skills to complete, which can stimulate the brain.
Builds Confidence
Doing jigsaw puzzles is a great way to feel good about yourself. As you start putting the puzzle pieces in their places and seeing the picture take shape, it helps build self-confidence.
You can do puzzles at any level that is right for you.
If you want to challenge yourself, choose a difficult jigsaw puzzle. If you want to relax, pick one that is easier or just fun and relaxing. Look for puzzles with many pieces so they will last longer too.
Remember, don’t worry about how other people are doing with their puzzles. You operate at your own pace, and that’s perfectly okay!
Helps You Relax
Jigsaw puzzles are an excellent way to relax and unwind. If you are stressed out or anxious, doing a jigsaw puzzle is a great way to calm your mind. The act of concentrating on something other than what's bothering you will block out worries and help you calm your mind.
This is also a great activity for social interaction and bonding with others, especially if you have children in the house. It can be fun for all ages!
Teaches Planning and Perseverance
Jigsaw puzzles teach the importance of planning and persevering to find the pieces that fit. To complete a puzzle, you have to look at the picture on the box and figure out how each piece should fit with other pieces.
If there's an edge piece, you need to work out where it goes relative to its neighbors. If it's a corner piece, then you're looking at two edges at once. This process can take some time, but it's worth it when your hard work pays off with a beautiful picture emerging from all those little pieces.
Jigsaw puzzles also teach patience while working on them. They require thinking ahead and planning how best to approach putting together each piece. If you try too hard or don't think things through carefully enough, this can lead down rabbit holes of frustration (and lost pieces).
But if you're patient and methodical about how your jigsaw is coming together and stop when needed, you'll be able to get back up again quickly rather than spending hours trying different approaches before finally giving up for good.
Promotes Bonding Opportunities
Puzzles provide an opportunity for social interaction and bonding with others. It's fun to solve a puzzle together as a group working towards a common goal.
Also, puzzles are great for children. Jigsaw puzzles are one of the best activities parents can do with their children because of the quality time spent together, but also because it encourages active learning and focus on problem-solving skills in children of all ages.
Get Started Today
Now that you’re familiar with the benefits of jigsaw puzzles and how they can improve your life, it’s time to get started. Begin with online jigsaw puzzles if you can’t find the board. But start now! Besides, it’s a great way to spend some time with yourself or have fun doing something with your family.
