The Best Puzzles for Your Boredom
Cool, quiet and good for your mind in uncertain times
Hear me out ... because I know some of you are thinking “Puzzles? That sounds lame as hell.” But give it a second and let the suggestion sink in. Aren't you getting a bit sick of watching TV? Are you feeling stressed, stir-crazy and a little anxious? If a puzzle is lame because it's slow, quiet and analog ... well that's exactly what you need.
In this new reality of social distancing and self-isolation, we need things to help pass the time, occupy our mind and stimulate our imagination. And while that Nintendo Switch is fun, it's helpful to take a break and unplug now and then. A jigsaw puzzle is like a game you can play by yourself, with your partner or whomever you find yourself locked in with. It's something you can work on at whatever pace you choose—it could last you an evening or the better part of a week. And when you're finished, you'll bask in a solid sense of accomplishment.
These humble jigsaws offer a form of meditation. They encourage you to be aware of your surroundings while focusing on a task and using deductive reasoning. You find your breathing slows and your mind relaxes. What's more, the coolest ones are so stylish that they could double as art. In fact, some puzzles from modern brands like Jiggy come with glue and a tool to preserve your finished masterpiece.
The Best Puzzles to Try
Gradient puzzle,$25 / $20 w/code PUZZLETIME
by Areaware
Cocktails Across America puzzle,
$14.97 by Galison
The California Desert Mountains puzzle,
$19.95 by Charley Harper
Moon puzzle,
$25 by Four Point
Retro video game puzzle,$19 / $14.95 by New York Puzzle Co.
Meta puzzle,
$36 by Piecework
Frank Stella puzzle,
$20 by MoMA Design
Fallingwater 2-sided puzzle,
$22.84 by Frank Lloyd Wright
The Lines puzzle,
$26.99 by Bgraamiens
FYI
Puzzles were already gaining in popularity. The US market was valued at $631 million last year (up from $400 million in 2012), according to Statista.