I recently found a jigsaw puzzle in the trash and decided to bring it home for a date night with my boyfriend. While he didn’t enjoy it as much due to his colorblindness, I discovered many benefits of jigsaw puzzles for myself. The best part is that these benefits are backed by science. Here’s why you should consider adding jigsaw puzzling to your routine, especially if you’re looking for a relaxing and focused activity.
Why Jigsaw Puzzles are Great for Your Mind
A study published by Frontiers highlights that jigsaw puzzling enhances cognitive abilities, including visual perception, memory, and problem-solving skills. The focus required for puzzling also promotes mindfulness, helping reduce stress and fostering mental well-being.
The Benefits of Solving Jigsaw Puzzles Alone
While jigsaw puzzles can be a great social activity, they also provide several benefits when done alone. Solving a puzzle solo can help you:
- Enhance Focus: The concentration required to piece together a puzzle improves your ability to focus on other tasks.
- Practice Patience and Perseverance: Working through a challenging puzzle teaches patience and the value of perseverance, important skills in both personal and professional life.
- Stimulate the Release of Dopamine: Each small success in finding and fitting pieces releases dopamine, improving your mood and providing a feeling of reward and satisfaction.
- Improve Short-Term Memory: Engaging in jigsaw puzzles requires recalling shapes and colors, enhancing short-term memory and attention to detail.
- Enhance Problem-Solving Skills: Working on a puzzle involves strategic thinking and problem-solving, as you figure out how pieces fit together.
- Reduce the Risk of Dementia: Regular engagement in mentally stimulating activities like puzzling has been associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
Incorporating Jigsaw Puzzles into a Mindful Lifestyle
Incorporating jigsaw puzzles into your routine can be a wonderful way to practice mindfulness. The repetitive action of finding and fitting pieces together can be meditative, helping to quiet the mind and reduce stress. As someone who strives for a sustainable and mindful lifestyle, I find that jigsaw puzzles are a perfect addition.
Puzzles for Colorblindness
If you or someone you know is colorblind, like my boyfriend, choosing jigsaw puzzles with distinct shapes or patterns can make the experience more enjoyable. There are even puzzles specifically designed with colorblind-friendly features. Check out Zazzle.
Sustainable Jigsaw Puzzling
If you’re looking to start with jigsaw puzzles, consider sustainable options such as secondhand puzzles. Here are a few places where you can buy new and used puzzles in Portugal:
- Secondhand Stores and Websites: Platforms like OLX, Vinted, and Facebook Marketplace often have secondhand puzzles in excellent condition.
- Local Flea Markets: Check out events in Porto to find puzzles while supporting a circular economy.
- New Puzzles: Visit local shops such as Fnac, Worten, or El Corte Inglés, which offer a wide range of jigsaw puzzles for all skill levels. Supermarkets like Continente and Auchan also sell them.
Ready to Discover the Benefits of Jigsaw Puzzles for Yourself?
Jigsaw puzzles offer a multitude of benefits for your cognitive health and mental well-being, making them a worthwhile activity for anyone looking to relax and engage their mind. So why not give it a try? You might just find that puzzling becomes one of your favorite mindful activities.
For more on the cognitive and psychological benefits of jigsaw puzzling, you can read the full study here.
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