Jigsaw puzzles aren’t just a fun pastime for kids, they can also be a great source of entertainment for all ages. Many people don’t realize the numerous benefits that come with solving a jigsaw puzzle. From improving cognitive skills to reducing stress, puzzles offer a wide range of benefits for everyone.

For kids, jigsaw puzzles can improve their problem-solving skills and boost their cognitive development. As they work on a puzzle, they learn to identify different shapes and colors, which helps them develop their visual recognition skills. They also learn to think logically and strategically as they try to fit pieces together to complete the puzzle.

For adults, jigsaw puzzles can be a great way to unwind and relax after a long and stressful day. Solving a puzzle can help reduce stress and anxiety, allowing the mind to focus on something enjoyable instead of worrying about everyday problems. It can also improve memory and concentration, as the brain works on different tasks simultaneously.

Jigsaw puzzles are also a great way to bond with friends and family. Solving a puzzle together can be a fun and engaging activity that brings people closer. It encourages teamwork and improves communication skills as people work together to complete the puzzle.

In addition to these benefits –

Jigsaw puzzles can also be a great way to pass the time. They offer a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when completed, and they can be done alone or with others.

Overall, puzzles are a fantastic way for people of all ages to improve their cognitive skills, reduce stress, and have fun. Whether you’re a kid or an adult, puzzles solving benefits are both enjoyable and pleasurable. So, the next time you’re looking for a fun and engaging activity, consider grabbing a jigsaw puzzle and getting to work!

Take a look now!

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Jigsaw puzzles can be done independently, or with a group of friends, family members, or coworkers. They are great for socializing and help us to make new connections. Research suggests that people who do puzzles together are able to have a better connection than those who don’t do puzzles together. This is likely because puzzle-solving requires communication, which can help people open up and make new connections.

Jigsaw puzzles can also help us reduce our anxiety and stress levels, making them a great tool for making new friends, strengthening our current friendships, or finding time to relax.

Here are a few tips for solving jigsaw puzzles faster –

1. Choose the right size and piece count for your skill level
   Seems logical, right? But some people try to tackle a more difficult puzzle too soon and then lose interest.
2. Turn all pieces face-side up, so you can see the full images
   This speeds up the process of sorting out all the details. 
3. Select the perfect puzzle surface
   It really does matter what type of surface you set your puzzle pieces on. Selecting a surface with a contrasting color to the pieces helps you identify puzzle elements faster. 
4. Have plenty of light
   Overhead lights or lights that don’t cast shadows will help the puzzle features and colors stand out.
5. Find the border pieces first
   The border pieces will help you understand the shapes and alignment of the rest of the elements and will help you to fit together the rest of the puzzle much easier.
6. Sort by color or similar designs and images
   This will make finding elements and sections of the puzzle easier. 
7. Start with the corners
   Once you’ve found the pieces of the border, start with the corners, as they’re usually the most recognizable pieces of the puzzle.
8. Find any pieces with printed text
   These may include copyright or manufacturer information. Often these pieces are located on the right or left side of the bottom edge.  
9. Work on small sections at a time
   This helps you focus on one area making it easier to move on to another area. It may also help you eliminate similar-looking pieces.
10. Don’t give up – Stay motivated
    If you have trouble finding pieces, simply take a break. Often refreshed eyes find the right piece much easier. 

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The impact of jigsaw puzzles on memory –

People who complete jigsaw puzzles are able to recall more information, even after only a few minutes, than those who don’t do puzzles. While it’s unclear why this is, it may be linked to their ability to focus better and improve problem-solving skills.

Jigsaw puzzles may help us better recall new information because we have to create a picture in our minds as we work to solve them. This may also explain why jigsaw puzzles are a great tool for teaching children, as they force children to imagine the picture as they put the pieces together.

The type of jigsaw puzzle you do may also impact your ability to recall new information. Research suggests that doing a collage puzzle (a type of puzzle that uses word fragments) could lead to better retention of information, as opposed to doing a picture-based puzzle.

The power of completion and jigsaw puzzles –

Completion is tied to achievement, which can be linked to dopamine. This explains why people often feel an overwhelming sense of satisfaction after completing a jigsaw puzzle. The feeling of achievement and completion can last for several hours, and even longer if the puzzle was really difficult!

Completing puzzles can bring us joy for various reasons, including the fact that it’s an accomplishment we can feel proud of. It can also help us to feel less stressed and less worried about other things in our lives.

If you’re looking to get more satisfaction out of your puzzles, you should start by choosing a puzzle set at your current ability. Then as your skills progress, select more challenging puzzles. Remember, your goal is to relax while exercising your memory. It is not to add stress to your day.

The dopamine reward system and jigsaw puzzles –

The dopamine reward system is what tells our brains what we should do to feel good. This can explain why puzzles are so rewarding. When we complete a puzzle, our brains release dopamine, which tells us that we are doing something right and we should keep doing it!

The dopamine reward system is responsible for many of our daily activities. This reward system is very helpful during times when we feel stressed or depressed. Puzzles, along with other activities that release dopamine, can be helpful when we need a boost.

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Why is it that we find jigsaw puzzles so addictive? So engrossing? Let’s take a look at the science behind our love for jigsaw puzzles and explore why they’re so captivating!

Cognitive benefits of jigsaw puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles are a great activity for all ages, providing a number of cognitive benefits, including improved memory, problem-solving skills, and an increased ability to focus.

Jigsaw puzzles challenge our problem-solving skills – 

After completing a jigsaw puzzle, we tend to remember more of the details from the picture than people who didn’t do a puzzle. This is because jigsaw puzzles require us to create a picture in our minds, and by doing so, we’re training our minds to better remember information.

Jigsaw puzzles boost our memory – 

A jigsaw puzzle presents us with a problem to solve: how to fit the pieces together in the correct order. This gives us practice in problem-solving in a less stressful environment and can help improve our analytical skills. A common puzzle strategy is to work from the “outside” in, which means you start with the edges of the puzzle and work your way in, fitting in the pieces along the way.

Jigsaw puzzles boost our ability to focus – 

Focusing on a jigsaw puzzle requires us to narrow down our thoughts to the puzzle at hand and tune out everything else. This can help us to focus better on a daily basis and could be helpful for people who suffer from ADD/ADHD or have trouble staying on task.

Psychological factors behind our love for jigsaw puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles are extremely rewarding when we complete them, which is likely why we find them so compelling. Completing a jigsaw puzzle gives us a sense of accomplishment, which is linked to dopamine, a chemical that is released in our brains that gives us the feeling of pleasure and enjoyment.

A desire to complete puzzles may be linked to our need to feel in control. This is because when we solve puzzles, we feel as though we’ve gained control over the situation at hand, which can lead to a sense of relief. This can be especially helpful for people who have anxiety, or who are perfectionists.

Another psychological factor behind our love for jigsaw puzzles is that they allow us to lose ourselves in the moment. When we’re focusing on a jigsaw puzzle, we lose track of time and are able to forget about our daily stresses. 

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