Why do an adult puzzle activity?

The puzzle is a fun and intellectual activity popular around the world for children but also for adults! Are you looking for a healthy activity and a momentary escape from the world around you? Well, get yourself a quality puzzle and set it up on your living room table. Putting together a puzzle has many benefits, regardless of our age!

It's time to let go of the phone, the TV and all the daily negativity that we experience head-on every hour of our lives. Take the time, be calm and work your brain, these are the values ​​that surround the puzzle activity. Let’s find out a little more about this great activity for adults:

• What is a puzzle enthusiast called?

• Why do I like puzzles?

• Why play puzzle?

• What is the best technique for making a puzzle?

What is a puzzle enthusiast called?

If you also like puzzles from near or far, you should know that a great enthusiast or collector of puzzles is called a cephaloclastophile ! This somewhat barbaric word designates a person who likes doing and collecting puzzles. Yes the puzzle is also considered a puzzle and you can also find our article which deals with it here: What are the different types of Chinese puzzles?

The puzzle is also an integral part of educational games for children.

Why do I like puzzles?

Before talking about the proven benefits of puzzles for adults, it is important to say that the majority of people enjoy playing and practicing puzzles.Completing a puzzle can be a solitary activity or a collaborative activity with someone else. You therefore have the choice depending on your mood at the moment to be alone or not!

- Alone = Spending time alone with a puzzle is a great way to relax and reset after a busy day. Many of us are stressed and constantly bombarded with information all day long. Turn everything off, grab a big glass of water, sit down and put together your original adult puzzle, wooden puzzle, 3D puzzle or modern adult puzzle, it doesn't matter. Take the time and it will reward you!

(Customer photo The Smart Child / 303 piece wooden puzzle)

- Together = Working on a puzzle with someone can help you get away from screens and create a personal connection with that person(s). We no longer realize but direct contact with a person without interference is increasingly difficult these days. Between friends or family, share quality time with the people you care about.

(Canva / Family Puzzle Game)

The modern adult puzzle is so beautiful! New techniques for creating and cutting puzzles, notably the adult puzzle of L'Enfant Malin, allow for magnificent results once the puzzle is put together! The adult wooden puzzle box is a real work of art from unpacking to putting the puzzle together. The quality of the image is such that it can even be used as a table if you wish.

When I visit my grandmother in the south of France, she always has a spare puzzle to work on. And I always have one to give him! It's our little tradition, I can't wait to spend this time with her collaborating and making up for lost time. Gather your family around a puzzle.

(The Smart Child / Original adult puzzle collection)

Finally, there is nothing more satisfying than putting the last piece of a puzzle in its place. This provides a sense of accomplishment and pride. We encourage you to take the time to find a puzzle you like and complete it. There are thousands of models (wood, cardboard, 3D, tangram) on all possible themes. It will in no way be a waste of time but rather a plus for your everyday life. Indeed, we will now see all the benefits in reconstituting a puzzle.

Why play puzzle?

In addition to the real happiness they bring, adult puzzles are also good for the brain. Over the years, many studies have shown that doing puzzles can improve our brain abilities, but not only that!

- Improve your memory!

Are you one of those people who drink coffee, eat berries and do exercises to improve your memory? If yes, then you will like this idea. Try a new way to improve your memory. Solve the puzzle! Solving puzzles increases our mental speed and short-term memory by remembering colors, shapes and details, then helps us think about the right place to place our piece. Crosswords are one of the best cognitive exercises, along with puzzles. Choose the best for you!

- Stay attentive

Most people have activities that are so stressful and mentally demanding that when they finish their work they put their brain on pause. This full relaxation is not recommended and can have long-term consequences, particularly for our memory. The act of paying conscious, consistent attention to a task in the present moment can be difficult after a long day at work. Puzzles are a good way to practice it and also with joy.

- Problem solving

Problem solving skills are very important in our life. Having these skills means you are able to identify the problem and find the best solution. If you train your brain by solving puzzles, you can improve these skills. When solving puzzles, you are forced to find several alternative solutions and look for mistakes in advance. This can be very useful at work, do you agree?

(The Smart Child / Adult puzzle collection from 95 pieces to 400 pieces)

- Creativity

Using the puzzle as a mind exercise can stimulate the imagination and increase both your creativity and productivity. Indeed, resolution has a rather special characteristic which is to make both parts of our brain work at the same time!

- Reduce the chances of diseases like dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Did you know that puzzles, crosswords or even brain teasers can help prevent and delay certain illnesses? Many studies show that these thinking activities stimulate the patient's mind, which can help prevent/delay Alzheimer's disease in older adults. Activities like solving puzzles can reduce the amount of damaged brain cells in patients with this condition. If a patient solves puzzles, this activity promotes the growth of new, healthy nerve cells. But that doesn't mean you should solve puzzles only if you suffer from these illnesses. Solve puzzles preventively and train your brain in time!

Cognitive functions, concentration, reflection, patience, these are the health benefits that puzzles can provide for adults but also for children.

(The Smart Child / Ying&Yang Puzzle 106 pieces / 300 pieces)

What is the best technique for making a puzzle?

1. Choose a workspace suitable for the puzzle

Most puzzles indicate the final size on the puzzle box. It is important to choose a suitable location that will not be inconvenient for daily routines. While the kitchen table is a great place to put together a puzzle, it might not be the most convenient location for your adventure. Look for a card table or other flat surface that won't be easily disturbed. Look for a low-traffic area or a flat surface that will accommodate the size of the puzzle and will not be disturbed. Puzzle mats are very handy if you need to move the puzzle.

2. Lighting is the key to quickly putting a puzzle together
In order to clearly see the colors and patterns of a puzzle, lighting plays an important role in the success of any puzzle enthusiast. Floor lamps may work temporarily, but they produce shadows and can also strain your back. Many desk lamps are recommended, but be sure to find one that can be rotated and maneuvered without disturbing the rooms.

3. Turn all the puzzle pieces over, image side up, to sort and group them

This step reduces assembly time and may require a little patience. Turning all the pieces so the photo is facing up may seem like a tedious task, but it saves time in the long run. By rotating the pieces, you can easily sort the puzzle by edge and middle, placing the edges of the puzzle in one area and the center pieces in another area. If you have sorting trays or paper plates, you can also sort by color.

Sort all remaining pieces based on edge or center. Sorting the pieces based on the pattern and color of the puzzle photo will also save you time.

3. Assembling the border

Now that you have separated your pieces by border and center, place the puzzle photo on the table and arrange all the border pieces in one area by color, texture, or pattern. You can start assembling the border based on your photo and the final size of the puzzle. Assemble the edges according to the final shape of the puzzle. For example, round puzzles will usually have pieces with rounded edges. If you're looking for a corner, you might not find one!

4. Center assembly

All puzzle pieces have what I call hooks or buttons. Now that you have sorted the pieces by color, texture, or shape, you can start placing them together based on the alignment of the hooks and buttons. Often it's obvious whether they will line up (or not). It is recommended to work in small sections of the puzzle, as some sections will be easier and quicker to put together. Once you've completed a small section, it's time to place it into the puzzle frame. Try to place it where it will be when you finish the puzzle.

5. Keep working and don't give up

The puzzles come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and difficulty levels. There may be times when you need to step away from the puzzle and take a break from assembling. A fresh perspective is always helpful. Putting together puzzles should be a fun experience and should not be frustrating. Whether you take longer than expected, please know that this is a common occurrence. The more puzzles you do to develop your skills, the easier you will find the puzzles and the better you will become.

What are you waiting for, hurry up and get your puzzles!

Now that you have discovered the surprising benefits of solving puzzles for adults, are you tempted to buy one? We hope you decide to buy a puzzle and spend your free time doing something fun and educational! And of course, now you have another cool gift idea for your friends that will definitely delight them.