Puzzles have been around since the early 1700s, providing a creative and intellectual challenge to those who attempt them. A puzzle can be anything from a jigsaw or crossword to a Rubik’s cube or logic problem. Puzzles come in all shapes, sizes and levels of difficulty, with some having hundreds of pieces and others having just a few.

One of the key elements to puzzles is that they often require an assembly of pieces, or solving of clues to generate an answer. This approach means that puzzles require the participant to think critically, to make observations, and to solve problems. This makes puzzles great for developing problem-solving skills from a young age, and potentially sparking interest in areas such as mathematics and logic.

In addition to helping problem solving skills, puzzles also offer enjoyment and creative satisfaction when solved. In fact, some people actually enjoy puzzle-solving and have made it a hobby. There are even worldwide competitions, magazines and websites devoted to puzzles. People of all ages, genders and types of ability can find enjoyment in doing puzzles.

On top of these puzzles offering items of joy and intellectual stimulation, there is also research to suggest that puzzles can also support wellbeing. Puzzling is said to create a ‘flow’ state where worries, stress and other negative emotions are replaced with a sense of contentment, while offering something sufficiently challenging to keep the participant interested. Research also suggests that puzzles may help reduce feelings of loneliness.

Given their positive impact, puzzles are one of the few items you can buy that provide a healthy challenge and, hopefully, some brain-boosting benefits. Whether you are looking for puzzles for yourself, a relative or a friend, there is a wide variety of options available, and needless to say, there is a puzzle out there to suit everyone.