India, Aug. 11 -- Research increasingly shows that puzzles are more than just entertainment- they can help reduce stress, sharpen focus, and support emotional well-being by creating "flow states," moments of deep absorption where worries fade and concentration takes over.
Flow, a concept introduced by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, is a state of complete immersion in a task where clear goals, balanced challenge and skill, and reduced self-consciousness allow a person to focus deeply on the activity. Puzzles naturally fit this model, whether it's a crossword, Sudoku, or jigsaw, offering achievable goals and small bursts of accomplishment that can reset the mind during stressful days.
Studies suggest puzzle-solving may redirect anxio...