During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people rediscovered hobbies for staying at home. Puzzling also got a new boost at the time. The trend continues to this day - and has long since captivated not just families and casual players, but also many celebrities.
Many Benefits
According to game educators and psychologists, puzzling is far more than just a pastime: It relaxes, reduces stress and simultaneously trains the brain by activating both hemispheres. Assembling images promotes concentration, fine motor skills and spatial thinking. In addition, the brain releases dopamine when successfully putting pieces together, which makes you happy and motivated.
Tips from Enie van de Meiklokjes
Many stars also like to unwind with puzzling after long shooting days. TV star Enie van de Meiklokjes (51) counts it among her "top three hobbies", as she revealed some time ago in an interview with "Kulturnews". "I've been puzzling since my childhood. Even back then, I always loved keeping myself busy alone and in complete peace. Preferably with an audio play as well." She prefers to assemble large puzzles of 1,000 pieces or more with hidden object images or city motifs.
She doesn't have a real strategy for it. Unlike many others, however, she doesn't start with the border. Instead, she first puzzles "several small areas together, which I then combine". She also offers this tip: "Plan plenty of space and allow for the puzzle to lie around unfinished for a few days. Then whenever you walk past, you can let your eagle eye wander. Usually you'll find another matching piece. This prevents frustration."
You can also puzzle together, as demonstrated by Schleswig-Holstein author Marisa Hart (39). She enjoys working on the pieces together with her four children. On her Instagram account, she often shows herself enjoying this family hobby. She even started a year-long puzzle challenge and revealed the cover of her picture book "Das fühle ich, was fühlst Du?", which will be published in July, with a puzzle.
Between Unwinding and Adrenaline Rush
The hobby has also long since arrived in Hollywood. The biggest fan there is considered to be "X-Men" star Hugh Jackman (57), who has frequently presented his sometimes months-long puzzle projects to his fans on social media. He likes to tackle challenging motifs like Van Gogh's "Sternenhimmel". Former "Spiderman" actor Tobey Maguire (50), on the other hand, prefers more speed. Because a puzzle can bring not only relaxation, but also an adrenaline rush. In an interview with the "Hollywood Reporter", he revealed that he is a speed puzzler. "A friend of ours is a puzzler himself and introduced me to competitive puzzling." In this, the works must be assembled as quickly as possible. Reality star Kylie Jenner (28) discovered the hobby during her pregnancy with daughter Stormi (8) and later emphasized: "Puzzles are underrated."
