Why You Should Add Puzzles to Your Resolution List
By Donna Stark
Is your New Year's resolution list full of healthy food suggestions, different types of exercise to try, and new ways to show kindness to people? If so, that is great! You are definitely on your way to a happier and healthier new year. But did you forget one of the most important things regarding your overall well-being? Here's a little hint ... puzzles. National Puzzle Day is right around the corner and there is no better, or more fun way to engage your brain and give it the workout of the year!
Puzzles for Optimal Brain Function
Whether it is a 500-piece jigsaw, the newspaper's daily crossword, or a next to impossible Sudoku, puzzles are a great complement to your days. By incorporating puzzles into your daily routine, you will be able to improve your intellectual health in a number of ways. Take a look.
- Gives both sides of your brain an incredible workout
- Improves short-term memory by forming new connections in the brain
- Encourages critical thinking and strengthens problem-solving skills
- Improves visual and spatial reasoning skills
- Lowers stress levels and improves concentration
A Puzzle a Day
Now that you know how important puzzles can be, are you wondering how to incorporate them into your day? It sounds like an easy thing to do, at first, but if you are worried about getting bored by doing the same type of puzzle over and over again, you may be looking for other ideas. Well, if ideas are what you want, ideas are what you will get. Here are some fun suggestions.
- Jigsaw puzzles - Of course, you can always find a new puzzle to complete, but if you really want to get the most out of your time, invite a loved one to join you! Enjoy a quiet night at home completing a puzzle together or purchase two puzzles and have a race to see who finishes first. You can also increase the challenge by not looking at the picture while piecing it together!
- Electronic puzzles - There are several different puzzle apps you can download that will keep you busy throughout the entire year. There are also some that will allow you to work on a puzzle with loved ones far away. Technology can be really great at times, can't it?
Remembering Your Brain Health
Keeping your brain active by completing a puzzle every day will help improve your mental skills and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. So, go ahead, pull out your resolutions, and add this to the list. You won't regret doing so!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Cumming, Ga.