Crosswords

When did you last do a crossword?  Was it weeks, months or even years ago?  Or are you one of those people that enjoy completing a crossword every day?  I’m actually a regular crossworder as I normally complete three or four per week and even carry a crossword book in my handbag!  But are there any benefits to completing crosswords or is it just a useful pastime to spend a few spare minutes?  I’ve identified four main benefits and there may be many other benefits too.

Relieves stress

Crosswords are a good way to relieve stress and reduce anxiety, in other words they are a method of self-care.  While you are concentrating on completing clues, your mind is forced to forget about your problems.  It also brings a sense of calmness and happiness as well as satisfaction when you complete a difficult puzzle.  Such positive feelings don’t arise when you are absorbed in “doom scrolling” on your mobile phone. 

Expands vocabulary

As it is a word puzzle, a crossword is a very good way to increase your vocabulary and improve your spelling.  For example, is it assesment or asessment?  It is also a good way to recall key facts.  This is especially true if you do the same type of crosswords on a regular basis as the same clues keep coming up regularly.  My crossword book has the added bonus of having answers at the back so this helps when I get stuck with a tricky clue.  By the way, I only “cheat” when I absolutely have to.

Exercises your brain

A crossword is like a daily workout for your brain.  Like any other muscle in the body, it is important to exercise your brain regularly to keep it in optimum condition.  This is backed up by research carried out in 2017 by the University of Exeter Medical School and Kings College London.  Researchers surveyed more than 17,000 healthy people over 50 years’ old on how often they do word puzzles, such as a crossword.  The results showed that those who regularly engaged in word puzzles showed cognition levels equal to someone 10 years younger than them, particularly when it came to testing grammar skills and short-term memory ability! 

By completing crosswords, you are of course recalling information from your past even back as far as your school days.  Dementia experts suggest that this helps to strengthen the neural connections in the brain while boosting happiness.

Being sociable

While completing a crossword in the home, this can turn into a social activity.  As you are sitting stuck at a clue with the pen poised, you could ask for help from other so-called experts in your home.  Their suggested answer may be just the word you are looking for or they may be no help at all!

The next time you have some spare time, don’t reach for your mobile phone for a nosey on Facebook or grab the remote control to watch a repeat of a Coronation Street episode.  Instead reach for your crossword book and solve a few clues to exercise your brain, relieve stress, be sociable and expand your vocabulary.

I’d love to hear your thoughts about this blog on crosswords so please add a comment in the box below.