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More than a game: Crosswords and puzzles may reduce dementia risk

Playing games, doing crosswords, writing letters or learning something new are all associated with reduced dementia risk in older adults, according to a large, long-term study. A team of Melbourne and US-based researchers study tracked 10,318 older Australians over a period of ten years (2010 to 2020), collecting detailed information on the types of leisure activities they engaged in, along with regular health checks and cognitive assessments. The study is <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2807256" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">published</a> in JAMA Network Open. Paper co-author Dr Joanne Ryan from Monash University says “the findings show that engaging in mentally stimulating activities can help preserve cognitive function and may help delay the onset of dementia.” “We know the importance of physical activity. We need to think about helping to keep our mind stimulated as well.” <iframe title="Why do Women Live Longer than Men? And What About Gender Diverse People?" src="https://omny.fm/shows/huh-science-explained/why-do-women-live-longer-than-men-and-what-about-g/embed?in_playlist=podcast&style=Cover" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0"></iframe> Adult literacy activities such as writing, using a computer or taking education classes were associated with an 11% lower risk of dementia, the study found. Active mental health activities such as playing games or doing puzzles were associated with a 9% lower risk. Creative activities like craft or woodwork and passive mental activities (reading books, watching television or listening to the radio) also reduced risks but to a lesser extent. Meanwhile, social activities were not associated with dementia risk. Ryan says this was a “little bit unexpected”. But she says it’s possible one of the reasons is those who volunteered to participate in the study were broadly already socially engaged. The median age of those participating in the study was 73.8 years. Around 2% of the cohort participating in the study developed dementia, Ryan says. Dementia risk varies depending on age and health status of individuals, she says. For instance, “we know that the risk of dementia actually increases exponentially as you get then over 80 years and over 90 years,” she says. Image credits: Getty Images <div id="contributors"> <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/body-and-mind/more-than-a-game-crosswords-and-puzzles-may-reduce-dementia-risk/">This article</a> was originally published on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com">Cosmos Magazine</a> and was written by <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/contributor/petra-stock">Petra Stock</a>. </div>

Mind

Researchers puzzled by results of anti-inflammatory medications for osteoarthritis

Researchers in the US are calling for a re-evaluation of the way some well known painkillers are prescribed after research showed they may actually lead to a worsening of inflammation over time in osteoarthritis-affected knee joints. NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen are designed to reduce inflammation for the estimated 2.2 million Australians suffering from the sometimes debilitating effects of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition affecting joints in the body – most commonly hips, knees, ankles, spine and hands – which results from the degradation of cartilage on the ends of bones within the joints. As the cartilage wears away, the bones rub together resulting in swelling, pain and restricted movement. To combat this pain and swelling, NSAIDs are commonly prescribed, however the long-term impact of this type of medication is unclear, including its effect on the progression of the condition. “To date, no curative therapy has been approved to cure or reduce the progression of knee osteoarthritis,” said the study’s lead author, Johanna Luitjens, from the Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging at the University of California, San Francisco. “NSAIDs are frequently used to treat pain, but it is still an open discussion of how NSAID use influences outcomes for osteoarthritis patients. Surprisingly the report says: “…the impact of NSAIDs on synovitis, or the inflammation of the membrane lining the joint, has never been analysed using MRI-based structural biomarkers.” The study compared 793 participants with moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the knee who did not use NSAIDs, with 277 patients who received sustained treatment with NSAIDs for more than a year. Each patient underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans of the joint, which were then repeated after four years. The researchers were able to assess the images for indications of inflammation and arthritis progression including cartilage thickness and composition. The data showed the group using NSAIDs, had worse joint inflammation and cartilage quality than those not using NSAIDs, at the time of the initial MRI scan. And the follow-up imaging showed the conditions had worsened for the NSAID group. “In this large group of participants, we were able to show that there were no protective mechanisms from NSAIDs in reducing inflammation or slowing down progression of osteoarthritis of the knee joint,” said Luitjens. According to Luitjens, the common practice of prescribing NSAIDs for osteoarthritis should be revisited as there doesn’t appear to be any evidence they have a positive impact on joint inflammation nor do they slow or prevent synovitis or degenerative changes in the joint. There is also a possibility that NSAIDs simply mask the pain. Despite adjusting the study’s model for individual levels of patient physical activity, “patients who have synovitis and are taking pain-relieving medications may be physically more active due to pain relief, which could potentially lead to worsening of synovitis,” said Luitjens. Luitjens hopes future studies will better characterise NSAIDs and their impact on osteoarthritic inflammation. With one in three people over the age of 75 in Australia suffering from osteoarthritis and an estimated one in 10 women and one in 16 men set to develop it in the future, unlocking treatment options for this crippling condition is an imperative. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/osteoarthritis-puzzled-antiinflammatory/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Clare Kenyon. Image: Shutterstock

Body

Missing piece of the Cleo Smith puzzle

Images: Getty Detectives continue the search for the sleeping bag Cleo Smith was curled up in when she was allegedly snatched from her tent at the Blowholes campsite. A police spokesperson said it was believed the red and grey sleeping bag was still unaccounted for. Forensic teams continue to examine other items from the site and the Carnarvon home where the four-year-old was found after being missing for 18 days. The sleeping bag was deemed a critical item during the search, with police releasing a image that was on missing person posters all over the country. Motorists travelling on the North West Coastal Highway have even been urged to keep an eye out for the item as police conducted search through roadside bins. Officers went through 50 cubic metres of rubbish recovered from bins from Minilya to Geraldton, but the sleeping bag was not found. The item was also not found at the home of Terence Kelly, who is currently behind bars for the alleged abduction of Cleo Smith from her tent. Further charges could be laid but over the abduction of Cleo, but WA deputy Police commissioner ruled out claims that a “mystery woman” was being investigated. Cleo Smith vanished from her family's tent while on a camping trip at the Quobba Blowholes on October 16th, and was rescued 18 days later. Terence Darrell Kelly has been charged with two offences, including one count of forcibly taking a child aged under 16.

Legal

How to solve a jigsaw puzzle fast

Puzzle-solving tips from the experts Sitting down to begin work on a jigsaw puzzle is an exciting but daunting experience. Alfonso Alvarez-Ossorio, the president of the World Jigsaw Puzzle Federation, and Tammy McLeod, a competitive puzzle solver, share their tips on solving puzzles quickly, expert strategies for completing jigsaw puzzles of all sizes, the best methods to get started with the hobby of puzzling, and more details about how jigsaw champions work on their puzzles. The challenges of solving a puzzle fast “The difficulty of a jigsaw puzzle – and the time it will take to assemble it – is directly proportional to the number of pieces,” says Alvarez-Ossorio. In addition, there are two factors that account for the difficulty of a jigsaw puzzle, says Alvarez-Ossorio. First, he says is the “morphology of the pieces, which depends on the manufacturer and the die used (the more you distinguish some pieces from others, the easier),” and second is “the contrast of the puzzle image (the greater the contrast, the more diversity of colours and strokes more defined, the easier and faster the assembly).” The right surface Where you do jigsaw puzzles is almost as important as how you do one. “In official competitions, vinyl-plastic is used so that the pieces move quickly across the surface,” says Alvarez-Ossorio. The mats are usually used white, “to reflect the light of space – lighting is a very important factor.” When doing a puzzle at home, you’ll want a dedicated space, such as a folding card table, so you can spread out your pieces and so they won’t get lost. If you don’t have room, puzzle mats are helpful because you can easily roll a puzzle-in-progress up for storage when you need to reclaim your dining room or coffee table. Different strategies for different puzzles In her personal puzzle-solving experience, “a 500 piece jigsaw is small enough to be spread out completely on a table so that all the pieces can be viewed at the same time,” McLeod shares. “This makes it easy to simply pick out pieces to be assembled, without sorting; usually, each piece contains enough details to uniquely identify it.” Larger puzzles are a different story, however. With a puzzle of 2000 pieces or more, “each piece contains a much smaller portion of the full image, so it’s faster to sort into general groups,” she says. Edges first? A popular strategy is to put the edges of the puzzle together first because, with one straight edge, the pieces are easier to identify and put together. “There isn’t a single strategy that will work for 100 per cent of puzzles, but in the majority of cases, it is easiest to start with the edge,” McLeod says. “This does not apply for non-rectangular puzzles and some puzzles where the edge pieces are cut interchangeably, but generally, to solve a puzzle fast, sorting is key.” Cutting corners Because there are only four of them, McLeod doesn’t spend time looking for corner pieces. “You’d have to spend a lot of time sifting through all the pieces just to find them,” she says. “Instead, start by pulling out the edges, then when you have most of them, start assembling them.” She goes to say that you shouldn’t be of the mind that you need to find every single edge piece, as that too will waste time. “The few edge pieces that you miss will naturally emerge after other pieces get placed.” Smart sorting “The larger the puzzle, the more time you should devote to sorting the pieces,” says Alvarez-Ossorio. “Divide the jigsaw puzzle by zones, normally identified by colours, though sometimes it can also be by textures.” For example in a puzzle about nature, “separate an area of trees and another from grass – both can be the same colour but the textures are completely different.” Perfect placement Once you have your pieces sorted, it’s time to start placing them. If your puzzle is of a drawing, painting, or collage that contains lots of details or has words, it makes it easier to place pieces, notes McLeod. On the other hand, “Photographs and landscapes usually have large patches of similar textures which can be a stumbling block for beginners,” she says. Take a break Don’t expect to complete your puzzle in an afternoon. “I have worked on puzzles with over 4000 pieces that take 60+ hours to complete, so I definitely cannot finish them in a single sitting!” McLeod shares. And yes, fresh eyes can help, especially if you’re tired. You may also want to invest in a lighted magnifying glass. Puzzling patience “Working on puzzles helps you develop your hand-eye coordination, your visual acuity, colour and shape recognition, and your patience,” McLeod says It’s also a very meditative activity, she says, “Your mind can wander while your hands and eyes are involved with assembling plus you get a hit of dopamine every time you fit a piece, so it becomes a long session of satisfying feelings.” Written by Charlotte Hilton Anderson. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/culture/how-to-solve-a-jigsaw-puzzle-fast">Reader’s Digest</a>. Find more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="https://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA93V">here’s our best subscription offer</a>.

Mind

Your brain approaches tricky tasks in a surprisingly simple way

Have you ever sat down to complete your morning crossword or Sudoku and wondered about what’s happening in your brain? Somewhere in the activity of the billions of neurons in your brain lies the code that lets you remember a key word, or apply the logic required to complete the puzzle. Given the brain’s intricacy, you might assume that these patterns are incredibly complex and unique to each task. But <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-018-0312-0">recent research</a> suggests things are actually more straightforward than that. It turns out that many structures in your brain work together in precise ways to coordinate their activity, shaping their actions to the requirements of whatever it is that you’re trying to achieve. We call these coordinated patterns the “low-dimensional manifold”, which you can think of as analogous to the major roadways that you use to commute to and from work. The majority of the traffic flows along these major highways, which represent an efficient and effective way to get from A to B. We have found evidence that most brain activity follows these types of patterns. In very simple terms, this saves your brain from needing to work everything out from scratch when performing a task. If someone throws you a ball, for instance, the low-dimensional manifold allows your brain to swiftly coordinate the muscle movements needed to catch the ball, rather than your brain needing to learn how to catch a ball afresh each time. In a study <a href="https://www.cell.com/neuron/fulltext/S0896-6273(19)30775-5">published today in the journal Neuron</a>, my colleagues and I investigated these patterns further. Specifically, we wanted to find out whether they play a role in shaping brain activity during really challenging cognitive tasks that require lots of concentration. We scanned people’s brains with high-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while they performed a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_square">Latin squares task</a>, which is similar to a Sudoku puzzle but uses shapes instead of numbers. Anyone who has played Sudoku before their morning coffee knows how much focus and concentration is required to solve it. The idea behind the Latin squares task is to identify the missing shape in a particular location in a grid, given that each shape can only show up once in each row and column. We created three different levels of difficulty, defined by how many different rows and columns needed to be inspected to arrive at the correct answer. Directing traffic Our prediction was that performing the more difficult versions of the task would lead to a reconfiguration of the low-dimensional manifold. To return to the highway analogy, a tricky task might pull some brain activity off the highway and onto the back streets to help get around the congestion. Our results confirmed our predictions. More difficult trials showed different patterns of brain activation to easy ones, as if the brain’s traffic was being rerouted along different roads. The trickier the task, the more the patterns changed. What’s more, we also found a link between these changed brain activation patterns and the increased likelihood of making a mistake on the harder version of the Latin Squares test. In a way, attempting a difficult task is like trying out a new rat run on your morning commute – you might succeed, but in your haste and stress you might also be more likely to take a wrong turn. Overall, these results suggests that our brain activity perhaps isn’t as complicated as we once thought. Most of the time, our brain is directing traffic along pretty well-established routes, and even when it needs to get creative it is still trying to send the traffic to the same ultimate destination. This leaves us with an important question: how does the brain achieve this level of coordination? One possibility is that this function is fulfilled by the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/thalamus">thalamus</a>, a structure that lies deep in the brain but is connected to almost the entire rest of the brain. Importantly, the circuitry of the thalamus is such that it can act as a filter for ongoing activity in the cerebral cortex, the brain’s main information processing centre, and therefore could exert the kind of influence we were looking for. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/298044/original/file-20191022-28112-nv7utl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/298044/original/file-20191022-28112-nv7utl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> Positions of the thalamus and the cerebral cortex within the brain. Pikovit/Shutterstock Patterns of activity in the thalamus are hard to decipher in traditional neuroimaging experiments. But fortunately, the <a href="https://cai.centre.uq.edu.au/facilities/human-imaging/7t-magnetom">high-resolution MRI scanner used in our study</a> collected by my colleagues Luca Cocchi and Luke Hearne allowed us to observe them in detail. Sure enough, we saw a clear link between activity in the thalamus and the flow of activity in the low-dimensional manifold. This suggests that when performing particular tasks, the thalamus helps to shape and constrain the activity in the cortex, a bit like a police officer directing busy traffic. So next time you sit down to play Sudoku, spare a thought for your thalamus, and the low-dimensional manifold that it helps to create. Together, they’re shaping the brain activity that will ultimately help you solve the puzzle.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/124891/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/james-shine-730758">James Shine</a>, Robinson Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/your-brain-approaches-tricky-tasks-in-a-surprisingly-simple-way-124891">original article</a>.

Mind

10 Sudoku tips that’ll help you win

Sudoku puzzles There’s a lot more to Sudoku than simply writing numbers in a row and column. Sitting down before a fresh Sudoku grid and playing Sudoku requires logic, not guesswork, and a substantial knowledge of Sudoku solving techniques. Once you know these Sudoku tips, you will be able to solve even the most challenging puzzle. What is required to solve a Sudoku puzzle? You can read all the Sudoku tips you want, but you need more than an understanding of Sudoku rules and a Sudoku strategy to be a true puzzle master. “The best Sudoku players know how to cut through the visual clutter of a Sudoku grid and start scanning immediately for the most valuable clues and information that they need,” reports Sudoku.com. Other Sudoku players have the ability to “switch off their minds to the outside world and focus for hours to solve Sudoku puzzles.” What is the technique to solve Sudoku? There are more than a few techniques to solve a Sudoku puzzle, but per Conceptis Puzzles, the easiest way to a Sudoku solution is to, “Scan rows and columns within each triple-box area, eliminating numbers or squares and finding situations where only a single number can fit into a single square.” If you’re looking to learn how to play Sudoku, the scanning technique is a swift and generally efficient method of solving easy Sudoku puzzles from start to finish and can get players far into more difficult puzzles before switching to an advanced Sudoku strategy. Before you get started, rev up your brain by seeing if you can solve these puzzles that less than 60 per cent of people can. What is pencil marking in Sudoku? Sudoku pencil marking is a systematic Sudoku solver strategy in which puzzle doers use a pencil to write small numbers inside the squares, denoting which numbers may fit in. Conceptis Puzzles says that, “After pencil marking the puzzle, the solver must analyse the results, identify special number combinations, and deduce which numbers should be placed where.” Pencil is, of course, easy to erase in a hurry once you find the solution – or realise you made a mistake. Can all Sudoku puzzles be solved without guessing? According to Sudoku Of The Day, “Sudoku is a puzzle involving logic – no arithmetic or guessing is required!” While you can, guess, of course, if your guess is wrong, it will throw off the rest of the puzzle and you’ll need to start over. What is a Sudoku candidate? A single candidate is a very easy Sudoku strategy for solving a puzzle. Sudoku of the Day says this Sudoku strategy involves “Using pencil marks to store what candidates are still possible within each cell.” The site continues on to note that, “By then examining the surrounding column, row, and box, a single candidate means you’ve managed to rule out all other possibilities for a particular cell,” leaving just a single number left that could possibly fit. Want another challenge? What is a hidden pair in Sudoku? A hidden pair in Sudoku is “When a pair of numbers appear in exactly two squares in a row, column, or block, but those two numbers aren’t the only ones in their squares,” according to thonky.com. A hidden triple in Sudoku is similar Thonky.com explains that like a hidden pair, a hidden triple in Sudoku, “Occurs when three cells in a row, column, or block contain the same three numbers or a subset of those three. The three cells also contain other candidates.” What is the swordfish technique in Sudoku? You won’t need a Sudoku strategy involving the swordfish technique when just learning how to play Sudoku – not every puzzle has a swordfish pattern – but as you progress, you may run into this technically challenging puzzle pattern – and it may confound you. “A Swordfish pattern occurs when three rows (or three columns) each contain two or three cells that hold a matching locked candidate,” according to Sudoku Essentials. This candidate must reside in each of the three rows and share the same three columns or vice versa.” What is a jellyfish in Sudoku? A jellyfish is when, “Four columns have a candidate in only four different rows, or vice versa,” per Sudoku Snake. The self-described, most advanced Sudoku application goes on to say that a jellyfish is like an, “X-Wing or Swordfish expanded into four units. The columns or rows that have these candidates are the primary units, and must only contain the candidates in the other four rows or columns called the secondary units. All other candidates in the secondary units can be eliminated.” What is a unique rectangle in Sudoku? Somewhat of a controversial subject in the Sudoku world, a unique rectangle (UR) is a situation in which a puzzle may have two different solutions. Hodoku notes that, “A unique rectangle consists of four cells that occupy exactly two rows, two columns, and two boxes. All four cells have the same two candidates left (in real Sudoku, not all cells have to hold all of the UR candidates).” Written by Jeff Bogle. This article first appeared in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/true-stories-lifestyle/10-sudoku-tips-thatll-help-you-win?pages=2" target="_blank">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA93V">here’s our best subscription offer.</a>

Mind

20 rebus puzzles that are almost impossible to solve

Test your smarts with these rebus puzzles Rebus puzzles, also known as word picture puzzles or picture riddles, use images or words to convey a phrase or message, typically a common idiom or expression. To help you solve them, make sure to look at word placement, size, colour and quantity. Take your time and don’t give up. These can be pretty tricky. To help you get your brain on the right track, take a look at the most frequently used idioms in the English language. Rebus puzzle #1 We’ll start off with a simple rebus puzzle. Can you guess this one? Answer: Green with envy. Rebus puzzle #2 Can you solve this puzzle? Hint: Focus on the word here. Answer: Split pea soup. Try these 21 brain games guaranteed to boost your brain power. Rebus puzzle #3 This is one of the rebus puzzles where you need to focus on the placement – and number – of numbers. Answer: For once in my life. Rebus puzzle #4 Tilt your head to solve this rebus puzzle. Answer: What goes up must come down. See how you fare with these 19 trivia questions only geniuses get right. Rebus puzzle #5 How fast can you solve this tricky rebus puzzle? Make sure to take note of the placement of the words. Answer: Overseas travel. Wrack your brain with these mind-bending logic puzzles. Rebus puzzle #6 You might think this rebus puzzle has something to do with wine, but think again. Answer: Win with ease. Rebus puzzle #7 Hint: Think of different types of house layouts. Answer: Split level. Here are 5 more puzzles sure to get you thinking. Rebus puzzle #8 The answer isn’t “try to stand.” If that’s what you thought, keep guessing. Answer: Try to understand. This puzzle was dubbed the hardest ever by a university professor. Can you solve it? Rebus puzzle #9 Clear your brain and think hard about this rebus puzzle. Can you solve it? Answer: Summer (sum R). Rebus puzzle #10 We’ll give you a hint to solve this rebus puzzle. What words start with “meta”? Answer: Metaphor. Rebus puzzle #11 Hmm, what do those numbers mean? Answer: Safety in numbers. Rebus puzzle #12 First, rearrange the letters to make a real word. Answer: Trail mix. Rebus puzzle #13 We’ll throw in one of the easier rebus puzzles to give your brain a rest. (The colour here matters.) Answer: Greenhouse. Rebus puzzle #14 Can you figure out why the word “cover” appears four times and the word “head” only appears once? Answer: Head for cover. Rebus puzzle #15 This one is tricky. What words do you see? Answer: Go up in smoke. Rebus puzzle #16 This rebus puzzle represents an idiom you might use when you’re happy. Answer: Sitting on top of the world. Rebus puzzle #17 Notice the shape of this rebus puzzle to help you solve it. Answer: Street corner. Rebus puzzle #18 Can you decode this one? Answer: In between jobs. Rebus puzzle #19 Rebus puzzles aren’t easy. If you’ve solved every one so far, that’s super impressive. Answer: Up for grabs. Rebus puzzle #20 How many of these rebus puzzles did you get right? Guess this last one and finish strong. Answer: Forgive and forget. Written by Morgan Cutolo. This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/thought-provoking/20-rebus-puzzles-that-are-almost-impossible-to-solve?pages=1">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.com.au/subscribe">here’s our best subscription offer</a>.

Mind

The incredibly "puzzling" thing one boy did for the Queen to cheer her up

While many members of the royal family have begun to return their normal lives, and even attend public engagements again - Queen Elizabeth is continuing to remain in lockdown in Windsor Castle. Due to the royal’s older age, she is at higher risk for COVID-19 and that’s exactly why Essex boy Timothy Madders put his brain to the test and got to making Her Majesty the ultimate boredom buster present. The seven-year-old "wanted to do something to cheer her up," his mother, Jo Madders, told the BBC. And to do that, he configured a happiness-themed word puzzle in his “best handwriting.” He included words like “smile”, “happiness,” “family” and “jolly.” "She's probably wanting to keep herself busy," he explained. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 7-year-old Timothy Madders from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Billericay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Billericay</a> created a happiness themed word search and sent it to Buckingham Palace for the Queen. A few days ago he got a reply! <a href="https://t.co/oJJitT7XP2">pic.twitter.com/oJJitT7XP2</a> — BBC Essex (@BBCEssex) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCEssex/status/1281482836655177728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 10, 2020</a></blockquote> Timothy included a short but heartfelt letter along with the puzzle, writing, "You might be feeling sad or lonely during lockdown, so I thought I could make a word search for you to cheer you up." The gesture was well-received, with Timothy revealing he recieve a letter from one of the British monarch's ladies-in-waiting, expressing her gratitude. “The Queen wishes me to write and thank you for your kind letter, and for the puzzle you have created especially for Her Majesty," the letter read. “Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated, and the Queen hopes that you too are keeping safe and well in the current situation. “I am to thank you very much indeed for writing as you did at this time." Timothy said the letter "was very good and it was very important and made me happy that she liked it."

Caring

How was the crossword puzzle invented?

Can doing crosswords really help you stay happier and healthy for longer? <a href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/185116/69171/1880?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Fan-actor-and-his-time-paperback-sir-john-gielgud%2Fprod9781557834157.html">Sir John Gielgud</a> believed so. The star of <a href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/185116/69171/1880?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Fdvd-movies%2Farthur-1981-arthur-2%2Fprod9325336162033.html">Arthur</a>, <a href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/185116/69171/1880?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Fdvd-movies%2Fchariots-of-fire%2Fprod9321337051796.html">Chariots of Fire</a>, <a href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/185116/69171/1880?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Fthe-power-of-one-popular-penguins-bryce-courtenay%2Fprod9780143204794.html">The Power of One</a> and <a href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/185116/69171/1880?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Fdvd-movies%2Fthe-portrait-of-a-lady%2Fprod0044007820520.html">The Portrait of a Lady</a> solved a crossword every day until he died, aged 97, with a completed crossword by his bedside. He used to say, “Completing the crossword is the only exercise I take.” And the Shakespearean actor spent every spare moment on set doing his beloved crosswords. The Queen, who has just celebrated her 90th birthday, also enjoys a good crossword. Actress Betty White, 94, is also passionate about her crosswords. “I do mental exercises. I don't have any trouble memorising lines because of the crossword puzzles I do every day to keep my mind a little limber.” Ever wondered how the crossword was created? Newspaper man Arthur Wynne was originally from the UK and moved to New York in 1905. While he was working at the newspaper The New York World as editor of the ‘fun’ section in 1913, he created the ‘word-cross puzzle’. This diamond shaped word game was derived from the ancient game of acrostics and wordsquares, which was a Victorian past-time. There were 31 simple clues and it was published on Sunday December 21, 1913. Due to its popularity and newly named the ‘crossword’ Wynne’s creation was published in the newspaper for ten years before a pair of Harvard graduates came up with the idea to publish a book of crosswords (as their Auntie Wixie was a fan). A publishing phenomena was born! So, how does doing crosswords help you? Of course, we all know, they are a great (healthy) escape from the demands of everyday life. They also make you think and provide much needed mental exercises, which may keep the brain healthier, for longer. Did you know crosswords were created 103 years ago? Crosswords also improve your vocabulary - new words, new meanings, and new understandings of words. They teach organisational skills. After all, it’s often necessary to work back and forth between the Across and Down clues to solve the puzzle. Your spelling skills also get a workout and you pick up all sorts of <a href="http://www.wyza.com.au/puzzles.html#/games/trivia">general knowledge</a>. So you can feel good about the time you spend wrestling with <a href="http://www.wyza.com.au/puzzles.html#/games/wordsearch">clues</a> – you’re improving your memory and sharpening your brain. Love crosswords? The <a href="https://lovattspuzzles.com/lovatts-wyza-free-big-crossword-magazine-promotion/">first 500 readers who apply with be sent a free copy of Christine’s BIG Crossword Magazine</a>. Mindfulness and puzzles One of the buzz words in today’s world of mental health is <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/health/how-learning-about-mindfulness-can-help-you-stress-less,-help-your-relationships,-feel-happier-and-healthier.aspx">mindfulness</a>. Mindfulness has its roots in Buddhist meditation principles. It is especially helpful for people who worry about the past, or the future. When solving a <a href="http://www.wyza.com.au/puzzles.html#/games/crossword">crossword</a>, you may find that your mind is totally focused on the clues and answers, to the extent that you are not particularly aware of anything else. You might say it’s a form of meditation, except that in meditation the aim is to have no thoughts at all, which is not an easy stage to achieve. When solving crosswords you are keeping your mind engaged, which means you are not thinking of the past or the future, so you are giving that part of your brain a rest. This is fine as long as you are not crosswording while driving or minding a toddler! Puzzles can be wonderful ‘companions’ “Our Lovatts puzzlers often write in to tell us that our <a href="http://www.wyza.com.au/puzzles.html#/games/crossword">crosswords</a> and puzzles are invaluable companions and our puzzle magazines are well-travelled too. Many of our correspondents also say that their memory and word skills have improved since <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/health/these-6-easy-daily-habits-will-help-protect-your-brain.aspx">taking up puzzle-solving</a> - especially if they don’t settle for easy puzzles but tackle the more challenging ones,” says passionate puzzler, <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/lifestyle/wyza-life/what-is-it-like-creating-puzzles-for-a-living.aspx">Christine Lovatt</a>. “<a href="http://www.wyza.com.au/puzzles.html#/games/crossword">Crosswords</a> and other word puzzles use the right side of the brain whereas <a href="http://www.wyza.com.au/puzzles.html#/games/sudoku">Sudoku</a> or other logic puzzles use the left side. So if you can do both, you are giving your brain a total workout,” she adds. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/entertainment/how-were-crosswords-invented.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a>

Art

Less than 1 per cent of people can solve these puzzles

Consider yourself a puzzle master? Challenge yourself with this mind-bending test. The Puzzled Out quiz was tested on 2,000 people to see how well they can spot the missing pattern in pictures while racing against time. Players have to tackle 10 questions, each with a 10-second timer. Less than one per cent got all the answers correct. Could you be one of them? <div class="test-app" style="width: 100%; height: 600px; margin: 0 auto; background: #fff; position: relative;"><iframe data-url="https://www.buzzbingo.com/bingo-games/puzzled-out/#embed" src="https://www.buzzbingo.com/bingo-games/puzzled-out/#embed" style="position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; border: 1px solid #ccc;"></iframe></div> <div class="meframe"></div> <div><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.buzzbingo.com/bingo-games/puzzled-out/" target="_blank">Puzzled Out</a> by <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.buzzbingo.com" target="_blank">Buzz Bingo</a></div> According to the quiz creator <a href="https://www.buzzbingo.com/bingo-games/puzzled-out/">Buzz Bingo</a>, some demographics performed better in finding the missing puzzle pieces. People aged 18 to 25 picked the correct answer in 52.6 per cent of the pictures compared to people aged over 65 with 34.9 per cent. Those who regularly partake in brain teasers also scored more highly. Those who often do exercises such as sudoku and crosswords picking 45.1 per cent of the pictures correctly compared to non-partakers at 38.5 per cent.

Mind

The 4 best iPhone puzzle games

Looking for a way to test yourself? Here are four puzzle games you can download on your Iphone. 1. 1010 1010 challenges players to position shapes in a 10x10 grid. If you manage to place shapes to form a complete line, the line disappears and creates more space which you use to make more lines. Downside of the fun: It’s a less frantic-typed Tetris and although the app is free, it comes with ads. 2. Pair Solitaire The game involves matching pairs that are separated by just one card. The goal is to clear as many cards from a standard deck of 52 as possible. The app is free and can be a fun strategy-based game. 3. Prune The puzzling game may be the challenge you’ve been waiting for. The challenge comes by helping tree branches find sunlight to grow flowers. You must nip off new branches growing in the wrong direction and get your tree through certain obstacles. 4. Threes! It’s a fun math game that challenges players by asking them to slide all numbers on a board together in one of four directions. Squishing two matching numbers together creates the sum of the numbers.

Art

The best puzzles to test your mind – and your patience

Puzzles are great for challenging your brain while also allowing you to unwind and de-stress at the same time – as long as the last piece is not missing, of course! Is there anything better to do in your spare time than to be completely immersed in a brain-stimulating boardgame? Research has proven boardgames allow people to form better memories, as well as to improve your cognitive skills. So, why wouldn’t you want to partake in the fun activity? Here are a few of the top-rated, best-selling and most-reviewed puzzles available. Swipe through the gallery above to see what people love most about their favourite puzzles. Would you purchase any of these puzzles? Let us know in the comments below.

Art

How puzzles enchant your mind

In today’s digital age, we log on more than log off. We are constantly sliding from one screen to another with our minds often switching to autopilot. Our brains are no longer being challenged because information is served straight to us, often so quickly we hardly have time to even process it. So it's probably a good time to take a step back and engage in some mindful activities that will not only stimulate your brain but help boost memory retention. The benefits of solving puzzles Puzzling is hardly a newfound pastime. In fact, crossword puzzles originated in England in the 19th century. There’s a reason it continues to be a beloved hobby for people of all ages. Puzzling is incredibly fun – almost downright addictive for the daily indulgers. It’s also a great practice to share with others, forming a creative and competitive bond between friends. Most importantly, puzzling has been proven to boost your health. In fact, a large-scale and robust online trial, as reported by Science Daily, has found that the more regularly people do word puzzles such as crosswords<a rel="noopener" href="https://www.wyza.com.au/puzzles.html#/games/crossword" target="_blank"></a>, the better their brain function in later life. The puzzle instinct The simple world of black and white puzzles – from crosswords and wheel words, to sudoku and brainteasers – were once confined to the pages of magazines and newspapers but now devotees are able to head online to interactive websites like youplay.com to fulfil their puzzling cravings. However, the classic art of puzzling by hand is making a comeback as people start to prefer holding physical paper in their hands instead of playing on a computer screen. This all comes down to personal preference. Puzzles can enchant your mind in a few ways, which include: 1. Using both side of your brain. When you puzzle, you use both the left and right side of your brain. Although the concepts seem simple, there is an underlying mental component to puzzles. 2. Challenge your brain to a workout. There are a variety of puzzles available that boost verbal skills, improve memory and brain function, encourage creative and strategic thinking, develop problem-solving skills as well as distracting and keeping your mind busy. The best thing about puzzles is that they offer a sense of achievement upon completion. 3. Boost your self evaluation skills. It can be initially hard to see why puzzles would increase your self evaluation skills. However, trying to figure out what pieces fit where and why that one doesn't go there is a good exercise in checking and re-evaluating your choices. This can be carried into your every day decision making processes. With the classic art of puzzling getting such a fresh makeover and mindful activities being embraced as essential, more people are turning to puzzling to stimulate, educate and reward themselves in their daily practices. Regardless of whether they are seasoned crossword connoisseurs or simply keen to dip their toes into the puzzling realm, smart never goes out of style. What puzzles do you enjoy doing? Written by Editor. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/lifestyle/wyza-life/ways-to-enchant-your-mind.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a>

Retirement Life

Can you spot the Easter bunny hidden in this puzzle?

Here’s one fun way to celebrate Easter with your family – but be warned, it’s harder than you might think! This tricky brain teaser challenges you to spot the rabbit hidden among the Easter eggs, butterflies and flowers. <img width="499" height="502" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7816983/1.jpg" alt="1 (106)"/> Research studies conducted by <a href="https://www.lenstore.co.uk/vc/can-you-spot-it/" target="_blank">Lenstore</a> have found that there is some science behind solving puzzles like this. Reportedly women tend to find the hidden object faster than men. Your chances of spotting it also increase if you exercise often. However, most users usually find the hidden object within 45 seconds. Test your skills and tell us, how long did it take you to find the Easter bunny? Still can’t find the hidden Easter bunny and give up? Scroll through the gallery above to reveal the answer! Image credit: <a href="https://www.lenstore.co.uk/vc/can-you-spot-it/.%20" target="_blank">Lenstore</a>

Mind

People are losing their minds over this coffee puzzle

A tricky coffee puzzle is going viral on the internet as people struggle to work out which cup will be filled with coffee first. The puzzle, which was posted on Twitter earlier this week, is made up of one funnel pouring into various pipes and various coffee mugs. Do you know which mug will be filled with coffee first? <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Let’s see who’s brain works 😭 who gets coffee first ? 👀🤔 <a href="https://t.co/CqCtIeKVsJ">pic.twitter.com/CqCtIeKVsJ</a> — Purp 💜 (@_herbeautyxo) <a href="https://twitter.com/_herbeautyxo/status/928756533370015749?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2017</a></blockquote> Some people have guessed that they “all get it at the same time” while others study the shape of the faucets and square containers to get the correct answer. However, if you look closely, there is one thing that gives away the correct answer. One Twitter user wrote, “Noticed that not all faucets are open... the ONLY ONE that will even get fluid in it is 5.” Cup number 5 is the only cup whose route isn’t blocked so if you chose that mug as the answer then you are correct. After finding out the correct answer, many were shocked. One user wrote, “How did I not notice that?” Did you solve the puzzle correctly? Let us know in the comments below.

Mind

Try and solve the logic puzzle dividing the internet

A brainteaser of a riddle is causing consternation and head scratching as people try to figure it out. The puzzle, which most people get wrong on their first try, asks people to figure out the relationship between the person who posed the riddle and a woman called Teresa. It goes like this: 'If Teresa's daughter is my daughter's mother, what am I to Teresa?' Five choices are available as answers - 'grandmother', 'mother', 'daughter', 'granddaughter', and 'I am Teresa'. Give it a go. To find out the answer, scroll down. * * * * * * * * <img width="494" height="175" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/40210/logic-puzzle-in-text_494x175.jpg" alt="Logic Puzzle In -text"/> First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a>.

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More than a game: Crosswords and puzzles may reduce dementia risk