Healing with Jigsaw Puzzles

I put jigsaw puzzles together and have often wondered if it was my imagination or if there was actually healing benefits to putting these wonderful puzzles together. Studies like the MacArthur study have actually stated that there are health benefits attached to putting jigsaw puzzles together.

Who benefits from jigsaw puzzles?

Children learn shapes and eye hand co-ordination. They find it fun to learn their numbers, colors and shapes this way. Age appropriate jigsaw puzzles can be found in numerous stores and on-line websites. The puzzles are also a great way to have children entertain themselves without the television.

Adults of all ages can benefit in many ways from jigsaws. They exercise their brains, memory and it increases concentration. It can actually lower your breath rate, heart rate and lower blood pressure. Studies have shown that jigsaw puzzles can actually slow down memory loss, that includes Alzheimer's.

Using puzzles for health reasons usually works best if you use them everyday. I have one set up on a card table and try to make it a rule to work on it for at least 30 minutes. I soon found that I can sit for an hour and be totally immersed.

I use jigsaw puzzles to attain calmness. I find that I get totally involved in the puzzle and forget my problems. This is a good stress buster for me. It brings my anxiety levels down without medicine. It's like meditating and is very soothing to the nerves.

I recently found a great website (JigZone.com) that has puzzles on it. You can put them together on the computer screen. I admit I wasn't very fast the first couple of tries, but I can see where this is a great option in terms of time. The puzzles came in a variety of sizes (numbers of pieces). It would be a great 15 minute break to do at work if allowed. On-line puzzles also negate the need for table space. I think I could get used to doing the puzzles on line. They also offer a timer, many cut designs, a shuffle and a huge variety of puzzles.

If you are a beginner, start with a 250 piece puzzle. Most of the time you can tell how hard a puzzle is by looking closely at the picture on the box. Jigsaw puzzles for your health and pleasure.

Sources:
JigZone puzzles
Social Psychiatry Blog
Connections Puzzles