Puzzle It Out

Jodi Jill knows all about the power of puzzles. She’s a professional puzzle maker, and she uses puzzles to relax. For example, she gets nervous on flights, so she travels with a jigsaw puzzle in her bag. When turbulence × turbulence air currents that cause a bumpy airplane ride (noun) hits, she reaches for the puzzle. “It allows me to focus on what’s in front of me and what I can control in that moment,” Jill says.

There’s a lot to know about the benefits of puzzles. Read on to learn how to make them an easy part of any daily routine.

Brain Boost

The first benefit is obvious: Puzzles are fun. “We need lightness and fun and opportunities for creativity and relaxation,” says Amy Dykstra, a psychologist based in Calgary, Canada. “It’s important for our mental health.”

Puzzles have other benefits too, Dykstra says, such as helping you stay productive. If you’re having trouble focusing, try taking a puzzle break. “Once you’ve completed the puzzle, you can use that momentum to keep going in your day,” Dykstra says.

Puzzling is also a way to practice mindfulness × mindfulness intentional focus on the present moment (noun) . Matching shapes and colors provides a sense of calm. “Most people are going to benefit from mindfulness activities,” Dykstra says. She adds that people who don’t enjoy silent meditation might find puzzles “much more interesting.”

Jill recommends starting with a puzzle that interests you. “It doesn’t matter what puzzle you play,” she says. “What matters is that it brings you a spark of joy.” If jigsaws aren’t your thing, Jill suggests trying word searches, crosswords, or sudoku.