Crossword puzzles boomed in popularity in the US in the early 1900s. From then until now, a lot of people are still hooked on them. If you’re not into solving crossword puzzles, it’s high time that you jump on the bandwagon. Most especially if you incorporate it into your morning routine, your brain can benefit tremendously, say the experts.
A cup of freshly-brewed java. Check! A bowl of oats topped with blueberries. Check! Clue #8 across. Check! The addition of crossword puzzles to the breakfast scenario may help ward off Alzheimer’s disease, numerous studies found out. That’s because the stimulation provided is said to help ward off the formation of the so-called beta-amyloid.
Beta what? Without going too technical, beta-amyloid is a kind of protein naturally found in the body, and it’s toxic. According to scientists, it is the primary component to brain plaques. Yes, plaques form not only on the surface of your pearly whites and the inner walls of your arteries, but also on your gray matter.
You don’t want plaques to form on your brain because that’s the primary characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. Touted as the most common form of senility, Alzheimer’s disease is the progressive degeneration of the brain which tends to kick off in old age. However, it is very much possible for it to also strike in the middle age — or even earlier!
There is no way that we can stop time and the inescapable aging of the brain. But the good news is we can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. How? Through something as simple as doing crosswords in the morning or any other time of the day. Experts say that brain stimulation is an effective way of warding off brain plaque formation.
Just think of your brain as a skeletal muscle — the more it is used, the bigger and stronger it gets. While there are so many brain-stimulating activities on the surface of the planet, doing crosswords is perhaps the simplest of them all. These puzzles are in your daily newspaper, which means they are cheap and easily accessible.
Doing crossword puzzles every morning, however, is not only good for keeping at bay the formation of brain plaques and ultimately Alzheimer’s disease. Based on numerous studies conducted, crossword puzzles offer many cognitive as well as emotional benefits. The following are just a few of the most amazing ones:
- A wider vocabulary. Whether you can finish an entire crossword puzzle or not, it can help throw in new words to your vocabulary. Admit it — being dubbed as a “walking dictionary” is good for your image and ego.
- A sense of accomplishment. Speaking of ego, you can feel very confident and accomplished after completing crossword puzzles. Due to this, you can feel that you can deal with anything that life offers.
- Improved problem-solving skills. Daily, we are faced with all sorts of challenges. Doing crossword puzzles every morning primes your brain for dealing with all the challenges about to come your way.
- Reduced stress levels. Because your mind is focused on all the clues, you can forget all of your fears and worries. Whether done in the morning or at the end of the day, crossword puzzles help combat stress.
- Happiness. Crossword puzzles make for a wonderful bonding activity done with your loved ones. Besides, you will find it easier to complete crossword puzzles when several brains are working all at the same time.
- An awakened mind. You can save yourself from dozing off back to sleep when you do your crossword puzzles in the morning. In other words, it leaves no room for tardiness which can keep you from being productive!
Source: about.com
