In the United States, Americans experience a lot of life stressors. Some of these stressors include, but are not limited to, employment, family issues, friend issues, and individual worries- just to name a few. Because of this, people strive to discover ways they can eliminate stress. While some participate in yoga, mediation, exercise, and talking about their stressors, these actions may not always help. However, there is a concept and action that does help the young and the old! This action is completing puzzles. If you’ve been stressed, here are the benefits of completing a puzzle.
The Benefits Of Putting The Pieces Together: Completing A Puzzle
To begin, puzzles have been around for a very long time. In fact, to be more specific, the oldest form of a puzzle began around 250BC. Since then, puzzles have evolved to adhere to the changes from generation to generation. Now, individuals can find 300 piece puzzles, 500 piece puzzles, 750 piece puzzle, 1000 pc puzzle, and 2000 piece puzzle- just to name a few. Regardless of if you choose a 1000 pc puzzle or the smallest 300 piece puzzle, there are benefits you’ll receive from doing and completing a puzzle. Here are some benefits:
Memory: Although kids can complete puzzles, and they have done so for fun, puzzles create many memory benefits of adults. When you participate in doing, and completing a puzzle, this action ensures that the connection between the cells of your brain become stronger. This strength and this connection, in turn, improves your memory. This is because your thought process increases. Therefore, you can work on this and your mental abilities as you do a puzzle. You’ll see, after completing puzzles, that your memory, and ability to remember details is much stronger than if you didn’t do a puzzle.
In addition, to be specific, if you want to work on your short term memory, puzzles help. It doesn’t matter if it’s a 1000 pc puzzle or a 750 piece jigsaw puzzle! In general, puzzles help people remember colors, patterns, and sizes; and, how all of these fit together in order to complete a puzzle.
It is important to note that those individuals who have medical issues with their memory, can certainly benefit from working on puzzles at least once a day. In fact, puzzles can delay the symptoms and effects of Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
Decreases Stress: There has been a lot of research done in the field of puzzles, the brain, and an individual’s health. Current research has shown that puzzles activate our brains while simultaneously relaxing us psychologically. Therefore, our brains enter a meditative state.
This meditative state is more like the state we enter when we’re dreaming. So, when you’re completing a 1000 pc puzzle or a 500 piece puzzle, you are completely and utterly relaxed. If you want to decrease your stress levels and relax, you should begin doing puzzles.
Mood: As human beings, our moods change continuously. With that said, no one enjoys being in a bad mood or interacting with someone who is in a bad mood. If you want to improve your mood, puzzles, such as a 1000 pc puzzle, a sports puzzle, or an easy puzzle will ensure that this occurs. When you do a puzzle, your mood will improve because your brain produces dopamine. This neurotransmitter puts you in a pleasant mood and makes you happy every time you do, and complete a puzzle!
Concentration: When you do puzzles, whether these puzzles are a 1000 pc puzzle or a 500 piece puzzle, you’re improving your concentration. This also has an array of benefits. For example, when you are able to concentrate successfully, you increase your productivity! That’s right, you become more productive with ideal concentration. Therefore, if you want to improve your concentration and become more productive you should do puzzles more often.
Detail: Much like improving your memory, you can improve your attention to detail. This is because when you do a puzzle, you really need to pay attention to colors, patterns, and where pieces fit. This benefits you throughout your entire life, because you’ll be able to pay attention to detail while at work.
