What Do Puzzles do to Your Brain? A Neurology Expert Explains

Puzzles set off a complex chain of events in your brain. 8 cognitive functions are activated when you build a jigsaw puzzle. A neurology expert explains.

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[sarahstansell]

My mother has dementia and no longer knows me or my siblings. When I was growing up, she loved jigsaw puzzles, as do I. So when I visit her now, I usually work a few with her. It is a struggle for her and we usually only do 50-100 piece puzzles, but it is very enjoyable for us both and she sees me as a good "friend." Thank you for this video. I plan to share it with my siblings.

[mydogbullwinkle]

That feeling when you swiftly connect a piece straight out of the box. Not trying to figure out where it fits, no trial-and-error. Just one smooth motion from the box to the exact place it connects to, almost like it's automatic.

I live for that feeling.

[frankiefurbag]

My mom is 97. She sorts, finds the edges. then works through it. She does a few a month. She amazes me😃🌺

[odessawadford]

Just finished a 1k jigsaw in under 30 hours. Super proud of this

[carroyo]

I have enjoyed jigsaw puzzles all of my life (in my 60's). I find the corners and straight pieces first and then riffle through the box over and over again until I find the other appropriate pieces. It is very relaxing. This is not about finishing the puzzle as fast as you can. It is about the journey, not the destination...

[kristine]

Reading, dancing, playing cards, making puzzles, filling out quiz books, crossword puzzling... I did it all. Even during exams 3000 pieces, during my divorce 1000 pieces, giving as birthday presents 850 pieces. I will start one right now ❣️ thank you so very much ❣️

[halfkinrainbolt]

I'm picky about the pictures of my puzzles. They need to have a lot of variety for me, not just one white sailboat in one big blue ocean. After watching this video, I decided to push my computer aside and make room on my desk for a puzzle again. I find that they help me make sense of my world. It's as if all the disjointed pieces of my days finally fit together to make a coherent whole. Thanks for reminding me.

[laurabarber]

I find doing jigsaw puzzles extremely relaxing! I just feel like it has my whole mind engaged and that feels calming.

[kb]

For the first time ever, I gave up on one. It had weird shapes, many of which did not connect just butted up against each other. The edge took forever because there were lots of straight pieces and some parts joined with minuscule edges. My husband and I worked on it for months and it was over half done and still taking forever. I loved the subject matter, an unusual one that was great for me. It was a no name brand sold solely on the subject matter. We were just not enjoying the process though and dreaded working on it. It induced anxiety and and I was just tired of having it in the way.

[divinadecosio]

I love puzzles and have improved with each one. Sometimes the place to put a piece just appears before your eyes. It's such a wonderful activity.

[jeremiahwells]

Add a level of complexity by completing a puzzle with three cats hanging around 😅

[tiffanyhanson]

When my brain has become so cluttered up and I can’t think straight anymore I go to my puzzles. It’s so relaxing and my brain can function again. I’m addicted!

[natalieeuley]

Puzzling is my main hobby. People always think I am weird for it. But it's so much more intellectually interesting than other hobbies. Even reading doesn't compare imo

[sabinesynnvefreyer]

Puzzling is my therapy! I let go of all stressful thoughts, focussing only on the activity. Afterwards I feel calm and relaxed😇

[wyrms]

Jigsaw puzzles are amazing. I always loved them but they also helped me a lot when I was having panic attacks. Whenever I would feel a panic or anxiety attack coming i would get to my puzzle and just work on it for some 30 minutes until I knew I was calm, relaxed and not going to fall into a panic/anxiety attack as I stop. Now I have stacks of puzzle boxes and work on them rotating or exchange them with other people if one became too easy.

[lorraineeasydoesit]

The Dollar Tree has jigsaw puzzles of 100 (kid's), 300, 350. & 500 pieces for adults. These are actually very good quality for a dollar a piece. I buy 5 at a time to work with my elderly mom who has memory issues. Sure beats $20 for 1 puzzle!

[Rubiastraify]

I think what is also going on constantly throughout putting the puzzle together is the mind is also keeping the completed picture in focus; a focus on the "whole" and how a particular piece fits into the "whole." It also forces you to examine the negative space, as well as the positive space.
I sort the edges first - any piece with a straight edge gets sorted into its side of the puzzle, and of course the corners are easy to find. Solving puzzles can be very relaxing and satisfying.

[adrianelias]

Doing my first puzzle by myself. It's a 1000 pieces and very strenuous. There are just four colors! It has been two month since I began and I surmise that I'm two-thirds completed. I'm finally seeing a light at the end of this tunnel.

[RJelly-fihd]

Why I do jigsaw puzzles my my in-person classroom! The kids love them. I usually put them into small groups of three or four students and reward the team who gets it done first. As the students are doing the puzzles, I am giving hints: "look for colors or patterns in the pieces, that go together." "Ask your colors that you need, from your partners. It's all about teamwork." I still love puzzles as an as a 45 yr. adult. It keeps my brain working better.

[michaelcroteau]

They showed one of my favorite puzzles. Strange Town. A 5, 000 piece puzzle with outstanding detail on it. Highly recommended puzzle.