Puzzle me this. What utilizes both sides of your brain, improves your memory, increases your cognitive function and problem-skills, and is celebrated on January 29th?
Puzzles. That’s right, puzzles! From a crossword and word searches, to picturesque jig-saw to complex Sudoku squares, puzzles offer a wealth of benefits to all ages.
According to medical professionals around the world, puzzles exercise your brain in a variety of ways that can lead a happier, healthy you. In addition to reinforcing existing brain cell connections, completing puzzles can improve you mental speed, thought process, attention to detail, and short-term memory.
By constructing a jigsaw puzzle, you not only increase your problem-solving ability, you also improve your hand-to-eye coordination, enhance visual-spatial skills and can enjoy a genuine sense of accomplishment. Enjoying a daily crossword puzzle builds vocabulary and spelling skills, as well as increasing memory and reasoning abilities.
If that wasn’t enough to have you reaching for the Sunday paper or picking up the latest 1,000- piece puzzle, there’s more. Scientists have found that keeping your brain engaged and active with puzzles can delay the symptom associated with dementia, Alzheimer’s lower stress levels and improve your mood. Studies have found that activities like puzzles that engage the brain can support the growth of new nerve cells and increase the brains’ production of dopamine. Those who regularly complete puzzles have greater self-confidence, an optimistic mindset, were more relaxed and felt more accomplished.
And it’s something we’re seeing first hand in our communities. In Loveland, Colorado at our Seven Lake Memory Care community, resident Darleen Mihulka is known throughout the community as the crossword and word search queen. She spends hours completing puzzles, and has a huge stack of completed books that stands like a trophy in her room.
“I’m constantly replenishing her book supply because she goes through them so quickly,” said Jacob Lapp, Director of Resident Enrichment at Seven Lakes Memory Care.
At our Muirwoods Memory Care in Petaluma, California, resident Bettie Krambs is found daily working through a crossword or Sudoku puzzle during meals and in between activities. She relishes her daily puzzle so much that every few months team members have to clear out finished puzzle books from her room.
“An active mind means a long life,” said Bettie, who will turn 91 next month. In honor of National Puzzle Day, why not pick up a crossword and discover a seven-letter word for good brain health (hint: it’s puzzles).
