The Health Benefits Of Jigsaw Puzzles - The Sister Project Blog

By Jiggy Puzzles

Jigsaw puzzles have long been hailed as a great tool to exercise the brain, improve concentration, strengthen cognitive function, help improve short term memory, and relieve stress.

In fact, puzzling stimulates the brain so much so that research shows it can help keep the brain healthy and working better for longer.

And here’s more, working on a jigsaw puzzle can put you into a meditative state due to the deep concentration used to solve puzzles.

Bring on the zen!

Did you know that puzzling helps improve your visual-spatial reasoning? If done regularly, putting puzzles together can help with reading maps, driving, packing, and learning steps to your favorite dance sequences. In other words, using your noodle to sort out how smaller pieces and their different shapes fit into the big picture can help you digest and organize other visual information more efficiently.

Why stop now?

It appears, when puzzling, you use both the left and right sides of your brain at the same time. The left side of our brain is the logical side whereas the right side is the creative side. When utilizing both simultaneously, it’s literally like your brain is lifting weights and going for a jog.

Essentially, jigsaw puzzles can help sharpen your problem-solving skills.

With so many health benefits, it’s safe to say that every home should have a puzzle or two waiting to be put together. It is the perfect excuse to put the phone on Do Not Disturb and give your mind a little mental workout.

Perhaps the next time you find yourself needing to chill…pull out a dang puzzle and get after it.

Puzzling is a great way to connect with yourself as well as your family or friends too. I guess we’d say that puzzles are super hygge!

They’re also the perfect gift. So the next time you are puzzled (yeah we did that) on what to get a special someone, think of what they love in life and find a puzzle that represents that thing. Trust us, it’s out there.

Pro tip: Buy yourself a roll-up puzzle mat. This way you can pack it up and bring it to your friends for a night in or roll it up and keep it out of the way.

Here are some of our favorite jigsaw puzzles for mental workouts.

For the wanderlust traveler.

We’ve been told this very puzzle has a high level of difficulty…are you up to the challenge? Or would you rather a one-way ticket to Italy?

Cinque Terre, by Buffalo Games, 1,000 pieces

For the 1980’s babies.

1980 babies are turning 40 this year, look no further for the perfect gift!

The 1980’s, White Moutain Puzzles, 1,000 Pieces

For the cocktail lover, bartender, or that person that likes the idea of going out but really wants to stay in.

Pour yourself your favorite cocktail in your fanciest glass and get to it!

Disco Queen, by Piecework, 500 Pieces

For space and sci-fi geek.

Different than your typical space puzzle, The Astronaut, by Jiggy Puzzles, offers a more artistic spin for sci-fi lovers. You’ll also receive puzzle glue so you can turn it into wall art!

The Astronaut, by Jiggy Puzzles, 800 Pieces

For the book worm.

The book lover in your life will adore this puzzle.

Vintage Library, by Galison, 1,000 Pieces, foil stamped

For the Andy Warhol obsessed.

If you had the chance to see the Warhol exhibit at The Chicago Art Institute, this may be just the puzzle for you.

Andy Warhol Selfies, by Galison, 1,000 Pieces

For the interior designer and/or PRIDE lover.

Shape puzzles are a bit rarer than your standard rectangular ones and in this case, extra bright and festive! Jonathan Adler fans will want to get their paws on this one.

Jonathan Adler Rainbow, by Galison, 750 Pieces

For the feminist.

Celebrate some of the most courageous, inventive, notable, and bad ass females of our present and our past! Girl power!

Nevertheless, She Persisted, by Cobblehill, 1,000 Pieces

For the Asian art and music enthusiast.

This wooden, circular puzzle is absolutely beautiful. Throw on a rendition of this Chinese piano masterpiece by the same name to really set the mood.

Hundred Birds Paying Homage To The Phoenix, by Hartmaze Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles, 253 Pieces

For the car lover.

Loving both the cozy, winter ambiance and the vintage ride. Hope they didn’t run out of gas!

Winter Drive, 1957 Chevy Bel Air, New York Puzzle Company, 1,000 Pieces

For the rosé all day type of guy or gal in your life.

This soft pink puzzle comes in a set of two and is perfect for a girl’s night in. Slap on a mask and pour the rosé!

Rosé All Day / Set of two puzzles, by Galison, 500 Pieces

For the snow bunny!

Retro ski posters are the perfect puzzle for that special someone who loves the slopes!

Ski Posters, by White Mountain, 1,000 Pieces

For the avid New Yorker reader.

The New Yorker puzzles are some of the coziest ones out there! We love the porch hangout sesh they’re having and clearly get a kick out of the lobsters escaping their death.

New Yorker Summer Getaway, New York Puzzle Company, 500 Pieces

For people who love doors.

Believe it or not, there are a lot of people out there who love doors. Doors are the entrance to so many homes, stories, and human experiences. They really are a remarkable thing.

Knock Knock, by Melissa and Doug, 1,000 Pieces

For the hygge and winter lover.

There is something so nostalgic about this puzzle. It’s cozy, tranquil, and calming. Plus, if you’ve ever lost a loved one, they say cardinals are visits from the ones who have gone before us. Love.

Oleg Gavrilov’s Winter Cardinals, Bits and Pieces, 300 Pieces

For the zen enthusiast.

Also available in Night, this puzzle offers space to really exercise your brain. This one appears very challenging, however, you may find yourself in a meditative state while putting it together.

Dawn Puzzle, by Printworks, 500 Pieces

For the dog lover.

These pooches and their big noses will have you wanting to adopt a pup ASAP!

Follow your Nose, by Buffalo Games, 300 Pieces

For the art lover.

Putting together this masterpiece by Italian artist, Sandro Botticelli, will make you feel all goddess-like.

Birth of Venus, by Liberty Puzzles (wooden), 474 Pieces

For the Santa and holiday obsessed.

Liberty Puzzles create such fun shapes for their puzzle pieces and this one is no exception! What a festive puzzle to have for the holiday season.

Mistletoe and Holly, by Liberty Puzzles (wooden), 364 Pieces