PLAINS TALK Staci Daily, LMHC PUZZLING BENEFITS In today's instant entertainment digital world, jigsaw puzzles may not be among the most popular of hobbies, but there is a reason they are always found in nursing homes, hospitals, and mental health facilities. Not only do jigsaw puzzks improve short-tem memory, the ability to focus, and visual-spotial reasoning, the hobby has the same mental health benefits as meditation or yoga, Sokliers suffering from PTSD have used jigsaw puzzkes to quiet their minds and help them avoid outbursts and flashbacks. They may even help a person to live knger, as studies have shown that people who do jigsaw puzzles have longer life spans and are less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Solving puzzles helps reinforce existing connections between our brain cells, It also increases the generation of new relationships. This, in tum, improves mental speed and thought processes. Puzzles also increase our brains' production of dopamine. Dopamine is neurotransmitter that regulates mood and feelings of optimism. It also affects memory, concentration, and motivation. Whether you may face life's daily stress or a chronic mental illness, Plains Area Mental Health is here for you. a Call our office today at 712-792-2991 or 800-325-1192. Our office is kcated at 318 South Maple St., Suite 1, Carroll. Helping People Cope With Everyday Living. PS. Jigsaw puzzles stimulate both the creative and the logical parts of the brain, providing a mental workout that improves problem solving skills. PLAINS AREA Mental Health Center wng Pe Cpe dey ting www.plainsareamentalhealth.org PLAINS TALK Staci Daily, LMHC PUZZLING BENEFITS In today's instant entertainment digital world, jigsaw puzzles may not be among the most popular of hobbies, but there is a reason they are always found in nursing homes, hospitals, and mental health facilities. Not only do jigsaw puzzks improve short-tem memory, the ability to focus, and visual-spotial reasoning, the hobby has the same mental health benefits as meditation or yoga, Sokliers suffering from PTSD have used jigsaw puzzkes to quiet their minds and help them avoid outbursts and flashbacks. They may even help a person to live knger, as studies have shown that people who do jigsaw puzzles have longer life spans and are less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Solving puzzles helps reinforce existing connections between our brain cells, It also increases the generation of new relationships. This, in tum, improves mental speed and thought processes. Puzzles also increase our brains' production of dopamine. Dopamine is neurotransmitter that regulates mood and feelings of optimism. It also affects memory, concentration, and motivation. Whether you may face life's daily stress or a chronic mental illness, Plains Area Mental Health is here for you. a Call our office today at 712-792-2991 or 800-325-1192. Our office is kcated at 318 South Maple St., Suite 1, Carroll. Helping People Cope With Everyday Living. PS. Jigsaw puzzles stimulate both the creative and the logical parts of the brain, providing a mental workout that improves problem solving skills. PLAINS AREA Mental Health Center wng Pe Cpe dey ting www.plainsareamentalhealth.org