Benefits of habit “Solve puzzles and crosswords”

✓ Maintains cognitive abilities
✓ Improves memory and concentration
✓ Relieves stress
✓ Can be a good hobby to pursue

First step:

Once a week

Progress:

1. This week solve 1 crossword or puzzle in a magazine or online.
2. Next week do it twice.
3. Keep it up, until you solve puzzles and crosswords daily.

Helpful tips to make it a habit:

✓ Same time is key. Dedicate a time during the day for this activity. We recommend evenings instead of TV time.
✓ Trigger your mind. Have your puzzle and crossword magazines all stacked in a visible place so you wouldn’t forget about the activity.
✓ Let the app help. You may track your progress by marking out the days you missed solving crosswords in the calendar of the app. You may also use reminder to ring when it’s time to solve puzzles.
✓ Reward yourself. Once you’ve solved 1 magazine through and through, reward yourself by buying more complex, challenging puzzles and see how you’re doing.
✓ Celebrate small victories. Every time you perform this habit, congratulate yourself! Say “I’m awesome” or “I’m so cool” out loud and with a smile on your face.

Tips for beginners:

✓ Choose what you like. Crosswords, word puzzles, number challenges – it’s important you choose something you like. Even video games can serve the same purpose, just need to choose the right ones.
✓ Keep your mind young. It’s been proven by tests that puzzles, crosswords and such can stave off Alzheimer’s by providing brain with something to do. You can start young and always keep your mind such, but if you’re already advanced in age, all more so why it’s beneficial to pick up this habit.
✓ Community. There are vibrant communities around crosswords, chess, board games of all ages all around the world. If you don’t like being alone so much, find one of these communities and join them in puzzle solving activities.