Puzzle

Brain Fitness | 3.29.20 | By Shilo Zeller, BSc.

While many of us are in quarantine, we’ve been tasked with finding new ways to stay entertained. With all of this new and fancy technology in our lives, we sometimes forget the simple pleasures of “old school” puzzles. Classic jigsaw puzzles can help with memory by helping our short term memory. Learning color patterns, remembering the shape of a piece you’re looking for, and remembering the “bigger picture” all help to create patterns in your brain that improve short term memory over time. Another benefit? Puzzles have been shown to improve hand-eye coordination!

Jigsaw puzzles have also been shown to improve problem solving skills and can help keep us in the present moment. When doing a jigsaw, it’s tough to multitask so it gives us an opportunity to focus on the task at hand. This is a skill that’s becoming increasingly difficult as our world moves towards being highly connected, on-the-go, and demanding. Lastly, jigsaw puzzles give us the opportunity to complete something with loved ones that isn’t costly and can provide hours of entertainment and conversation. 

Looking for something to do tonight? Settle in with a good playlist, some tea, and get puzzling!