How to Exercise Your Brain - Do Crossword Puzzles

Crossword puzzles have been a staple past-time for a century, if not more. Crossword puzzles first appeared in England around 1913, when journalist Arthur Wynne from Liverpool published the first known, published crossword puzzle. Over the years, the crossword puzzle has taken on various layouts, but the concept has remained pretty much the same. Now, research shows that solving crossword and similar puzzles may keep the brain healthily engaged, which may help prevent such dreaded ailments as Alzheimer's disease and others.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Pen or pencil
• Crossword puzzles
• Time
• Patience

1. Some personal experience:
   I have been an avid crossword puzzle and other word game enthusiast for many years. I don't think I could count the word-game books I have filled up. People are always giving me new ones for birthday and holiday gifts, as they know I am a fan.
   
   I truly enjoy word games, and crossword puzzles always seem to provide that back to basics retreat when some of the other, perhaps more complicated and mind-taxing word games are just a bit too much to wrestle with.
2. The challenge:
   Crossword puzzle difficulty covers the gamut; from the very simple to the extremely difficult! I never liked anything TOO difficult, as those usually just gave me a headache. I prefer to keep my brain in a relaxed state if I can, so I stay with the level I'm comfortable with. I usually look for those that I can at least work with.
3. The benefits:
   One of the most rewarding things I have appreciated about enjoying crossword puzzles is the learning experience and mental exercise I get from it.
   
   Crossword puzzles teach many new words, new meanings, and new understandings of words.
   Crossword puzzles exhibit other, more subtle relationships between words as well, such as letter commonalities between words, etc.
   Crossword puzzles teach about letter usage; which letters are used most, and which are used least.
   Crossword puzzles teach organizational skills, in that it's often necessary to work back and forth between the "Across" and "Down" definitions to solve the puzzle.
   Crossword puzzles teach a little about patience, in that it becomes necessary at times to take a deep breath, close your eyes, and reestablish your focus!
   Crossword puzzles provide that often needed break from reality. Sinking yourself into a good crossword puzzle or other word game is akin to reading a good book at times. You can get lost there! And that's OK!
   Crossword puzzles provide much needed mental exercises, which may keep the brain healthier, longer.
4. Conclusion:
   I must say that word games in general have been one of MY personal favorite hobbies, and crossword puzzles have been one of my staple word-games for just about as long as I can remember.
   
   I always enjoyed English courses in school, and even won several spelling bees in grammar school. I also enjoy writing (poetry, articles, song lyrics/music, short stories, etc.), and I enjoy other creative arts as well, so I would have to say crossword puzzles are a natural fit for me.
5. The after-word:
   Maybe I should have saved all those filled-up crossword puzzle and other word-game books. Who knows? There may be collectors out there who would love to have them!

Tips & Warnings

• Don't try to over-tax your brain! Get puzzles you can work with!
• Try using a pen instead of a pencil! There's special "get it right the first time" challenge in it!
• Crossword puzzle solving may be habit-forming.
• Crossword puzzle solving may increase your vocabulary.
• Crossword puzzle solving may increase your general knowledge.
• Crossword puzzle solving may improve your communication skills!