Jigsaw puzzles: the pastime that's good for your brain — and your social life

A quiet house became a popular hangout a few years ago when Physicians Mutual employee Sheri L. and family members began checking in on her recently widowed aunt.

The attraction? Sheri’s beloved Aunt Evie, of course.

And also … jigsaw puzzles and lots and lots of conversation.

“As many as five or six of us could sit around the table to work on the puzzle while we visited,” Sheri said, recalling that special time of togetherness, and the unexpected way everyone enjoyed putting jigsaw puzzles together while they visited.

“Sometimes, between talking and working on the puzzle, we overstayed.”

The health benefits of puzzles

You might have heard that jigsaw puzzles are good for you.

But did you know they can also become a favorite with party guests that has something for everyone?

“My Aunt Evie was always a person who liked to read and keep her mind busy,” Sheri said. “After my uncle passed away, she was lonely and started working on jigsaw puzzles to fill the time. We started going to see her more often, and worked on the puzzles, too, while we visited.

“In the beginning, the puzzles were just something to do while we reminisced about my uncle,” she said. “But then, we kind of got hooked! Some people think puzzles are just for kids, but they’re great for everyone — in a lot of ways.”

Some studies suggest that keeping the mind active with jigsaw puzzles and other mind-stretching activities might lead to a better quality of life, longer life expectancy, and possibly reduce the chances of developing memory loss and dementia.

Here are a few reasons why jigsaw puzzles are good for you.

• Jigsaw puzzles work both the left (analytical) side of your brain as it focuses on the individual puzzle pieces, and the right (creative) side as it takes in the puzzle’s big picture.

• Working on puzzles together encourages the production of dopamine, a brain chemical that improves learning and memory.

• Jigsaw puzzles can also be relaxing. Concentrating on the puzzle pieces might help take your mind off stressful thoughts.

• Jigsaw puzzles are easy on the eyes. No potential eye strain or backlight irritation that can happen when you spend too much time on computers, tablets and smartphones.

The mind-sharpening, crowd-pleasing perks of puzzles

Evie’s jigsaw puzzle prowess grew.

“For Christmas one year, she received 12 puzzles,” Sheri said. “She got so good at it. There was always a puzzle in progress on her table. The only time it got moved — just a little! — is when we ate, or for Sunday night cards.”

Sheri said her aunt did well following her husband’s passing. “I think the time she spent working on puzzles alone and with us helped keep her mind sharp and feeling better overall,” she said.

“At first, our visits were mostly about helping my aunt and ourselves adjust to my uncle’s loss,” Sheri said. “But the puzzles and our conversations were so relaxing and enjoyable — they were a wonderful bridge to a new normal. My aunt’s home just became the place to be. We really loved that time in our lives.”

If you’re looking for a way to sharpen your brain and your social life, a jigsaw puzzle might help.

Start one and invite a friend or relative over to work on it with you.

If you live in or visit a place where jigsaw puzzle pieces are poured out onto a table in a community room, just waiting to be assembled, give it a try. Someone might join you. It can improve your health and spark a conversation.