I've always had a slight anxiety problem, but it's been much worse since the epidemic.
It's the sort of anxiousness where my nervous system takes a bit to catch up even after I eliminate the stresses and address the problem. My mind is still racing, my pulse rate is up, and my stomach hurts – the sensation might last all day.
I used to attempt to divert myself by watching a TV or reading a book, but now it's grown so awful that I can't even concentrate on such things. When it was nice outdoors, I'd go for a run or do something physical to clear my head. But going for a jog in the thick of winter isn't as tempting.
So, I started doing jigsaw puzzles, which is not a novel notion.
Does "puzzle therapy" work?
The puzzle industry is flourishing since individuals are currently quarantined at home. A MarketWatch analysis projects that by 2024, the puzzle industry—yes, there is such a thing—will be worth $750 million.
But even while boredom is a component, there are other reasons as well. It's because solving puzzles can be both calming and addictive. I can vouch for it.
We had a puzzle table at my first job. The days were long and demanding because I was a copyeditor in a newsroom. My coworkers and I would add a few pieces here and there every time we passed the puzzle my boss had set up on a table next to one of the cubicles. We occasionally collaborated on it over our lunch break.
A little break after a tense client phone conversation was beneficial, and something as simple as a puzzle was helpful for team morale and camaraderie.
There are advantages to solving puzzles, even though there isn't conclusive scientific evidence or studies to support this. Many jigsaw puzzlers have provided anecdotal evidence on how doing puzzles has helped them manage their ADHD, anxiety, sleeplessness, and PTSD.
Even 18,000+ piece Ravensburger puzzles, which I had no idea existed, are revered by certain individuals. They appear unattainable and are around the size of a modest area rug.
Take a break from the TV and do a puzzle.
People are searching for new activities to engage in when they are not glued to a tiny, medium, or huge screen all day long, especially while they are confined in quarantine. Headaches, eye tiredness, and disturbed sleep are all possible effects of excessive screen usage.
Do you remember when coloring books for adults were all the rage? It's because they're used to unwinding and relieving tension, just like puzzles. But puzzles, unlike coloring books, maybe relaxing and social.
The key to overcoming stress and depression is to spend quality time with people. Try collaborating on a puzzle with someone the next time you're lonely instead of watching TV. Puzzles are a terrific method to divert your attention, even if you're quarantining by yourself, and they may even improve your quality of sleep.
I look forward to my puzzle break throughout the day. I go over to my puzzle table whenever I notice myself spiraling into an anxious state and put a few pieces together to pass the time until I feel better.
