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Are Jigsaw Puzzles good for your brain?
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Are Jigsaw Puzzles Good for Your Brain? + Best Jigsaw Puzzle Apps!

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By Jaunty Staff

 

While I do love good TV, being housebound has me in search of more “mental stimulation.”  Fortunately, the lost art of solving Jigsaw puzzles is a great option! Dating back to the 1700’s puzzles have challenged and entertained us for generations. Now, some of the best jigsaw puzzle apps are available online. Also, science gives puzzles a big “thumbs up” for stimulating our brains!

Today we look at:

  • Are jigsaw puzzles good for your brain?
  • Best jigsaw puzzle apps – online and free!
  • Tips for solving jigsaw puzzles
  • Getting your hands on a classic jigsaw puzzle
  • Creating your own jigsaw puzzle from a photo

 

Are Jigsaw Puzzles Good for Your Brain?

Are jigsaw puzzles good for your brain

First, are jigsaw puzzles good for your brain? That’s a big fat yes!

Studies have shown that working on puzzles:

  • Work both the left and right hemispheres of your brain, tapping into both your analytic and creative side
  • Improve memory function by reinforcing the connection between brain cells
  • Improve problem solving skills
  • Enhance your mood and Reduce Stress! Something we can all use during these uncertain times!
  • And much more…

For more on this, check out this great article from Goodnet.org

 

Best jigsaw puzzle apps

Jaunty has no relationship with the products mentioned below

Online and Free! Another option might be a more modern take on the classic Jigsaw puzzle. Try some of the best jigsaw puzzle apps online. All 3 apps mentioned here are free, so you can get started right away.

Online jigsaw puzzle apps also have the benefit of instantly laying out your puzzle pieces, assistance with organization and hundreds of different puzzle designs to choose from. They can even track the time required to solve the puzzle. Personally, I’d rather not have a reminder how long it’s taking me to solve the damn puzzle!

While each app offers premium options, you can continue to play for free, in exchange for seeing ad banners.

While I’m currently enjoying a classic 1000 piece puzzle with the family, the flexibility and portability of the online puzzle is worthy of a try.

Jigsaw Explorer

Jigsaw Planet

Jig Saw Puzzle (For iphone/Ipad)

 

Did you see our article on Spotting Fake News? A must read during election season!

 

Tips for Solving Jigsaw Puzzles

Certainly, the basic concept of solving jigsaw puzzles is simple enough. However,  for larger puzzles, some tips and strategy can make your investment of time more enjoyable.

Consider these suggestions:

Flip all the pieces, right side up – While kind of a pain in the butt, it give a good visual overview of the whole project. It also reveals patterns and like colors, from the outset

Cluster your edge pieces together – Building out the exterior frame of the puzzle, then moving inward is a popular strategy among puzzle guru’s

Cluster pieces together by color & pattern – Most puzzles have distinct patterns and colors that you may want to group together first. Building out a distinct area of the puzzle will help link the more obscure sections later

Relax & enjoy the moment – A larger puzzle can lead to some unintended frustration. Remember to celebrate the small wins when the pieces fit, be curious when they don’t.

Make it Social – If you can draw in a few family members, perfect!

Tips for solving jigsaw puzzles

Finally, walk away when you get fried – Take frequent breaks. The puzzle will be there when you come back!

 

Speaking of big brains, Bill Gates is an avid puzzle fan and shares his puzzle strategy in this article from Inc magazine. It’s a short read, but interesting to see how he goes about taking a puzzle down.

 

Getting your hands on a Classic Jigsaw puzzle

Although you might sacrifice a portion of your kitchen table, I still like the tactile experience of working with an actual jigsaw puzzle. Since right now isn’t an ideal time to head to the store, our friends at Amazon have several puzzles to choose from. We’ve attached a few puzzles to the article that we think you might enjoy.

 

Making a jigsaw puzzle from a photo

Making Jigsaw puzzles from photos

Making a jigsaw puzzle from a photo is a creative and fun way to design a personalized  puzzle. You can submit a favorite family or vacation photo online, decide on the puzzle piece size and in as little as a week receive your puzzle. Here are a few companies that specialize in photo puzzles.

Portrait Puzzles

Collage

Puzzles Print

Puzzle You

 

Finally, whether you choose the classic jigsaw puzzle, the best jigsaw apps or customize your own puzzle you still reap the benefits. Again, are jigsaw puzzles good for your brain? Absolutely! The social element with friends and family also ranks high on the list. Certainly, we have to catch a little TV to stay informed as our new reality unfolds. But a simple distraction to occupy your thoughts might be just the thing.

 

Did you see our article on Spotting Fake News? A must read during election season!

 

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