At the age of 16, I have recently discovered a new addiction. No, it is not alcohol or drugs or Tom Holland. My new addiction is jigsaw puzzles. 

Before you sniff and snigger, let me tell you the numerous benefits my current obsession can have on your health. 

 

Doing jigsaw puzzles helps you relax, lowering your heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate.

It keeps your mind sharp- strengthening your problem-solving skills, memory and visible perception, as well as slowing down cognitive decline (aka making you an eternal genius).

Who needs drugs when the dopamine hit from jigsaws floods you with feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment after every piece?

Doing jigsaws is also basically therapy as it has been proved to reduce stress and anxiety levels. For me, revising for my GCSEs, jigsaws offer the perfect relaxing break from revision.

They are also great to connect with friends and family – although be careful about arguments over who gets to place the last piece.

They help to get some me-time away from the screen-time. Social media is nothing in comparison to the endless entertainment of puzzles. 

Here are a few fascinating facts about jigsaw puzzles I guarantee you didn’t know:

The world record for the jigsaw puzzle with the most pieces is 551,232

The world record for the jigsaw puzzle with the largest size is 6,122.68 m2

The largest collection of jigsaw puzzles ever to be owned is 1260

The largest number of people to solve one jigsaw puzzle is 9569

The most expensive jigsaw puzzle was sold for £21,365

As you can see jigsaw puzzles aren’t just boxes stuffed in nurseries, paediatric wards and care homes. In fact, I think every household should invest in a good jigsaw puzzle to improve physical, mental and social health in one £10 hit.