Puzzles Offer Mental Health Benefits for Adults

Experts say putting together simple kids' puzzles can help reduce stress and improve focus.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Jodi Jill, a professional puzzle maker, uses kids' puzzles to help manage her anxiety, especially when flying. Experts say puzzles provide a low-effort way to practice mindfulness, offering a sense of calm and relaxation by pulling your attention to the present moment. Puzzles can also help create momentum for more complex tasks. Jill suggests finding puzzles with themes that speak to you and being creative about fitting them into your daily routine, whether during a lunch break or while on the phone.

Why it matters

In an increasingly stressful world, puzzles offer a simple and accessible way for adults to take a mental break and engage in a mindfulness activity. The benefits include reduced anxiety, improved focus, and a sense of accomplishment that can carry over to other tasks.

The details

Jodi Jill, who lives in Los Angeles, has loved putting puzzles together since childhood. She now uses 50- to 75-piece kids' puzzles to help manage her anxiety, especially when flying. Jill says the act of matching colors and edges allows her to focus on something tangible and stop worrying about the plane. Experts say puzzles provide a low-effort way to practice mindfulness, offering a sense of calm and relaxation by pulling your attention to the present moment. Completing a simple puzzle can also help create momentum for more complex tasks.

  • Jill completed three small puzzles by 10:30 a.m. on a recent weekday morning.

The players

Jodi Jill

A professional puzzle maker who uses kids' puzzles to help manage her anxiety, especially when flying.

Amy Dykstra

A psychologist in Calgary, Canada, who is trained in play therapy and says puzzles are important for mental health.

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What they’re saying

“It allows me to focus on what's in front of me and what I can control in that moment. I have something tangible in my hand and am maneuvering it and thinking about it.”

— Jodi Jill (Time)

“We need lightness and fun and opportunities for creativity and relaxation. It's important for our mental health.”

— Amy Dykstra, Psychologist (Time)

The takeaway

Puzzles offer a simple and accessible way for adults to take a mental break, reduce stress, and improve focus. By finding puzzles with themes that speak to you and being creative about fitting them into your daily routine, you can enjoy the mental health benefits of this mindfulness activity.