When it comes to giving your wellbeing a boost, it could be as accessible as piecing together a puzzle

There’s a quiet movement going on in the world of entertainment – and it doesn’t involve apps, screens or the latest technology. The humble jigsaw puzzle is enjoying a resurgence. What was once a childhood pastime has been adopted by people of all ages, thanks to its simplicity and accessibility. Jigsaws are inexpensive, can be done by anyone of any age, alone or as a group, and require no special skills or equipment, apart from a flat surface. What’s more, mental health experts say puzzling could even boost wellbeing because it’s an engrossing activity that provides a chance to unplug and de-stress. Jigsaws require your full attention and give a real sense of achievement when they’re completed. Some studies have even shown they can help ward off cognitive decline and be useful for patients with dementia. There really are so many reasons to get puzzling. Here we explore just a few…

Educational origins

Jigsaw puzzles have been around since the 18th century. London engraver and cartographer John Spilsbury is believed to have produced the first in 1760. The earliest were used to teach geography, with maps mounted onto sheets of hardwood and cut into pieces. It’s thought the royal governess used them in lessons with the children of King George III. But it wasn’t until the 1880s that they became known as jigsaws – thanks to the tool used to cut out the shapes. Cardboard puzzles only became popular in the early 20th century, when during the depression years they became cheap, long-lasting and recyclable forms of family entertainment. In more recent times 500- or 1,000-piece puzzles have become an increasingly popular hobby for adults as well as children. The world record for the largest commercially available jigsaw is held by a company called Grafika, for a puzzle called Travel by Art, which has a staggering 54,000 pieces.