Why are jigsaw puzzles so satisfying? Solving puzzles aren’t just for fun; they offer a range of health benefits as well. Solving jigsaw puzzles can help improve memory and mood, prevent major illnesses in the elderly, and aid children’s skill development. Next time you’re looking for a way to pass the time, reach for a puzzle instead!
Why Are Jigsaw Puzzles So Satisfying?
It’s A Meditative Experience
A.J. Jacobs, an author who is currently writing a book about puzzles, describes the experience of doing a jigsaw puzzle as being very calming and meditative.
A few of my friends who love jigsaw puzzles and problem solving it says that time just disappears when they’re working on one. You might feel like you’ve only been at it for five minutes, but three hours could have passed in reality. That can come in handy if you find yourself stuck inside for an extended period of time. Focusing on individual pieces and jigsaw puzzling them together to form a cohesive image requires people to be present and relax; it’s also a task that doesn’t require any screens or other external stimulation.
You Can Feel Accomplished
We humans function best when we’re given tasks that test our abilities but are still within our scope of competence–tasks where we can feel triumphant upon completion. Jigsaw puzzles, for example, engage both the logical and creative sides of our brain simultaneously (fitting pieces together rationally while also envisioning the finished product).
The part of our brain that problem solves is always active, whether we’re driving in traffic or trying to time everything so dinner is ready all at once. This helps us maintain neuroplasticity, which allows us to stay flexible and improves mental speed. Jigsaw puzzles are a great way for people of all ages to pass the time during quarantine – or any other time.
There’s A Clear Purpose
Puzzles can give people a sense of purpose and direction during times when they feel lost and without any clear plans for the future.
During quarantine, many of us often feel like we need to accomplish something small, like showering, or even the television just to ensure that our day was productive. However, completing a puzzle provides the same satisfaction without consuming as much time- plus it feels like you’re working towards something bigger than simply checking off an item on your to-do list.
Provide A Welcome Escape
Jigsaw puzzles provide a fun way to break up the monotony of quarantine days. They also take us back to simpler times, before the pandemic. Puzzles are a throwback to another era. Like other popular quarantine activities (bread-making, going for walks), puzzles can help us connect to the past and offer a sense of familiarity that is reassuring during these new and chaotic times.
Kaeppeler noted that images which are calming and provide a sense of escape are appealing to customers.
You Can Make It About Togetherness
Puzzles can be a great way to pass the time, both on your own and with others. They can offer a welcome respite from all the talk about COVID-19, and help create a sense of togetherness as you work toward a shared goal.
Brown, a former teacher, said that people rarely walk past puzzles-in-progress without stopping to see the progress or offering to help. She believes that this activity creates a sense of community.
Greater Attention to Detail
It is key to focus on detail when Jerry-rigging a puzzle–especially if the pieces are uniform. You need to teach your eyes to sift for slight variances in color or shape that will help you thwarted the image. The knack for detecting small details can assist us across all parts of our lives, at work especially. When wearetail-oriented and methodical, the quality of our productivity increases.
Better Visual-Spatial Reasoning
By constantly piecing together different shaped jigsaw puzzles, we can improve our spatial reasoning.
Why Are Jigsaw Puzzles So Satisfying? – Bottom Line
Jigsaw puzzles offer a multitude of benefits, from boosting individual productivity and creativity, physical health to providing a sense of togetherness and accomplishment. So if you’re looking for something to do during quarantine, why not give jigsaw puzzles a try? Who knows- it might just become your new favorite pastime.