The benefit of puzzles for the brain (2024)

FAQs

The benefit of puzzles for the brain? ›

Working on a puzzle reinforces connections between brain cells, improves mental speed and is an effective way to improve short-term memory. Puzzles increase the production of dopamine, a chemical that regulates mood, memory, and concentration. Dopamine is released with every success as we solve the puzzle.

Studies have shown that jigsaw puzzles can help improve visual-spatial reasoning, short-term memory, and problem-solving skills as well as combat cognitive decline, which can reduce risk of developing dementia. There are also mental health benefits to puzzling.

Improved Memory

This, in turn, improves mental speed and thought processes. Puzzles are especially good for improving short-term memory. Our short-term memory helps us remember shapes and colors and visualize the bigger picture to figure out which pieces will fit together.

IQ is often used to measure intelligence and the ability to think and solve problems. A University of Michigan study by Dr. Susanne Jäggi discovered that by engaging in jigsaw puzzles or riddles for 25 minutes daily, you may improve your IQ by up to four points.

How do puzzles and games help to reduce dementia risk? Puzzles and games, particularly those that require critical thinking, problem-solving, and memory recall, have been associated with a reduced risk of dementia, says Patrick Porter, Ph. D, neuroscience expert and founder of BrainTap.

Putting together pieces of a puzzle is a way to use that area of the brain and strengthen short-term memory. Strengthening short-term memory is especially important for aging adults because it declines as they get older.

Your brain doesn't only release dopamine when you complete a puzzle — it also releases dozens of little doses of dopamine along the way. This mood-boosting ability, along with several other benefits, is what makes jigsaw puzzles so addictive and keeps millions of people hooked.

Evidence suggests that finding puzzle pieces or doing any type of puzzles are small wins that can help release dopamine in your brain resulting in a positive mood (Bergland, 2011). Other literature suggests that in our multi-tasking current way of life, it helps to focus your mind on a single task.

This is the mindset you need to be a good puzzle solver, and it's a mindset that, I find, spills over into life outside of puzzles. The hallmarks of the Puzzler Mindset include being deeply curious, solution-oriented, rigorous, cognitively flexible, and good at taking other people's perspectives.

Jigsaw puzzles can help you relax and may reduce heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate as a result. They can also be excellent for improving and maintaining our fine motor skills (making the manipulation of small objects easier).

Do puzzles sharpen your brain? ›

Working on a puzzle reinforces connections between brain cells, improves mental speed and is an effective way to improve short-term memory. Puzzles increase the production of dopamine, a chemical that regulates mood, memory, and concentration. Dopamine is released with every success as we solve the puzzle.

The ISFJ personality type is also called “The Defender.” People with this personality are kind, but reserved. They may seem quiet, yet they are constantly observing the world around them. ISFJs are great at remembering the small details, which is why they make great puzzlers.

A 1,000-piece puzzle has a solving time range of 5 to 12 hours and an average solving time of 9 hours. This kind of time of time is our preference. It's great for leaving out on the table and chipping away at over a week or two.

All your brainpower goes to finding two pieces that fit perfectly together. Puzzles reduce stress because they distract our brain with finding patterns, which then triggers a hormone response and lowers cortisol.

They provide many benefits, including mental stimulation, increased creativity, stress reduction, improved memory retention, enhanced visual-spatial reasoning, boosted problem-solving skills, increased productivity, social engagement, enhanced mood, and long-term cognitive benefits.