Crossword puzzles provide you with a great mental workout. A 2019 study of almost 20,000 people in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry indicated that regular puzzle-solving improved cognitive performance in those aged 50 and above. The more often people interacted with puzzles, the higher their scores on attention, reasoning and memory tests. Regular word puzzle players scored eight years younger than their actual ages on tests of short-term memory and ten years younger on tests of grammatical thinking. This supports the claim that regularly engaging in word puzzles helps brains to work better for longer.
Here are our top tips for boosting mental well-being through crossword puzzles.
- Take a half-full approach: don’t get disheartened if you can’t solve some – or even most – of the clues. Enjoy those you have solved and have fun.
- Try taking several short puzzle breaks throughout the day rather than spending hours on the same few clues.
- Strengthen your memory by setting a time pressure limit for a puzzle. You will see a gradual increase in the number of clues you complete.
- Use a dictionary and a notebook to keep frequently needed items to hand.
- Do crosswords with a friend. You will find that not only will the puzzle be easier to solve but the whole experience of doing the puzzle will be more enjoyable.
Crossword puzzles are well worth the effort you put into them.
Boost your happiness and mental health by mastering cryptic crosswords today!
Thanks for posting. I really enjoyed reading it, especially because it addressed my problem. It helped me a lot and I hope it will help others too.