How Jigsaw Puzzles Can Boost Your Mental Health

I think it’s safe to say that this is a really testing and trying time for everyone right now. The global crisis has had a massive impact on our daily lives, but the effect on people’s mental health is staggering. We are all having to adopt a new ‘normal’ and it is really hard, but they’re are hobbies we can enjoy in the comfort of our own home such as jigsaw puzzles, which can help to boost your mental health. Whilst also trying to keep your morale up whilst looking after yourself physically, but mentally too.

Whilst there’s many things we can’t do right now, there’s still things we can. There’s many great hobbies you can do in the comfort of your own home, and some can be very beneficial on our mental wellbeing.

I personally really love jigsaw puzzles and have done since I was a child. I love the sense of achievement when you complete a puzzle, but it’s amazing to be able to zone out from worrying about any stresses, and just feel so calm and serene whilst doing a jigsaw puzzle. There’s actually many benefits of jigsaw puzzles which you may have never considered, so I wanted to share some with you.

Boost Cognitive Function

If you’re working from home, you might find it hard to concentrate or you’re perhaps missing the daily interaction with your colleagues. Jigsaw puzzles have been proven to be a great method to help boost cognitive function. Completing a jigsaw puzzle tests your concentration and problem solving skills. They’re seen as being a good mental workout as they make use of our visuospatial skills.

Anxiety

Jigsaw puzzles can help calm the mind, should you suffer from anxiety. Jigsaws allow you to disconnect from the world and your worries, whilst you concentrate on completing the puzzle in front of you. I like how by doing a jigsaw, it means you can park your stresses and worries to one side, whilst you fully emerge yourself in your puzzle.

Productivity

Did you know that by doing jigsaw puzzles, it can actually boost your productivity? Which is exactly what you want when working from home. You can purchase one of those handy jigsaw mats which allow you to roll your incomplete puzzle away when not in use, and then just get it out when you feel your concentration levels are starting to dwindle.

Mood Booster

I don’t know about you, but I always have a great sense of achievement whenever I’ve completed a puzzle. Especially if it was a particularly challenging design to do. Seeing the picture come together piece by piece is so fulfilling, and you can’t help but feel good once you’re finished.

There are so many different jigsaw puzzle designs to choose from, with different difficulty levels too, so you’re guaranteed to find your perfect puzzle.

The Works is my go-to whenever I want a new puzzle, as they have such an impressive range of jigsaw puzzles, and they’re always generously discounted too, which is even better.

If you’ve not tried jigsaw puzzles in a few years, give one a try. You’ll be surprised by how beneficial they can be…

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