Crossword puzzles such as those found in the NYT are played by millions of people each day all over the globe. Through this article, WordsRated takes a look at their numerous benefits, so you can find out how crosswords stack up when compared against your other favorite hobbies.
- By frequency, the top three reasons that Americans attempt crosswords is due to them being a challenge (69%), to exercise the brain (65%) or to keep the mind busy (60%).
- People who solve crosswords more than four times per week were found to be 47% less likely to suffer from dementia.
- For elderly people and those with Alzheimer’s, solving crossword puzzles can be at least as effective at enhancing memory as FDA-approved medications.
- During World War II, the British Secret Service employed solvers of cryptic crossword puzzles due to the strong lateral problem solving skills they possessed.
- Well designed crosswords can engage multiple regions in the brain of the solver as they search for the correct word to play.
- As crossword solvers need to combine logical thinking, pattern recognition and problem-solving, they can start to apply a more analytical approach to other areas of their lives.
- Crossword players can learn new words and meanings, which can help to improve communication skills.
- Specifically, crossword puzzles can test a solver’s knowledge of wordplay such as analogies, puns and idioms, improving creative language ability.
- When students use crosswords as a study tool, they have been found to show greater enjoyment of course content and an increased ability to recall terms.
- Those who solve crosswords on a regular basis show improvements in short-term memory, working memory and brain health in general.
Key benefits of crosswords
Although players often play crosswords in relaxing environments, the combination of stimulating hints and fun gameplay keep us occupied for hours at a time.
Fun: First and foremost, Crosswords are one of the most popular kinds of word games and should be fun to play for many players of all ages and backgrounds. To keep them entertaining, players should make sure the puzzles they attempt to solve are of the appropriate difficulty level after seeing the number of hints that can be answered without much deliberation.
Challenging: Lots of players look to play crosswords puzzles due to the intellectual challenge they pose. When underway, players can satisfy their competitive instinct each time they solve a clue, complete a section or finish a puzzle. Making these small wins should add up over time and leave the player with the satisfying feeling of success.
Language skills: Many crossword hints feature clever wordplay or variations on the word forms given. As each player tries to solve hints, they can go through a process of recall and pattern recognition based upon their own vocabulary. After each hint is seen and/or solved, it may trigger new language connections in the brain.
Cognitive functioning: When played with regularity, crosswords and other word games have been shown to stimulate multiple areas within the brain. The frequent use of these zones can help us to process information in a more effective manner and even improve our memory.
Problem solving: As crosswords require players to find words based upon a predetermined hint, they must demonstrate an ability to link together varied pieces of information in the form that it is given. Cryptic crosswords in particular have a reputation for being the hardest types of crosswords, often requiring players to have a much higher level of problem solving ability.
Relaxation: Other players may see crosswords as the ideal way to spend some free time as there is no pressure to complete them in one sitting. This can be an especially useful tool for people that want to relieve stress, allowing the mind to become engaged on the immediate task rather than on other day-to-day matters.
Single or multiplayer: When compared to other popular daily word games such as Wordle or Spelling Bee, players also have the option to attempt and complete crosswords with other people. Playing crosswords in this way can strengthen personal bonds and help bring friends and families together, rewarding each player as answers are deliberated and solved.
Note: While these benefits have been widely observed, they will not apply to all players due to differences in skill levels and interest in the game itself.
Other findings about crosswords
Although crosswords have been linked with a wide range of benefits, experts still have differing opinions over how valuable the habit is when compared to other activities.
- Day-to-day activities such as the management of one’s finances or remembering to do a daily task have been seen to show some improvement in those who do crossword puzzles.
- However, studies into these types of “real life” benefits are still at a preliminary stage and will need to be researched further in order to make a definitive link.
- In fact, after one longitudinal Scottish study, some academics have pointed out that a puzzling habit doesn’t seem to have an effect on an individual’s specific mental abilities.
- As the human brain does not function in the same way as a muscle, trying to do activities that target a certain area are likely to instead affect multiple areas, as there is a high level of interactivity between different brain functions.
- Other studies have also suggested that it would be more beneficial to undertake a more creative activity such as drawing art, creating music or writing novels to heavily stimulate the brain.
Why people play crosswords
A study of 1000 Americans found that the most frequently reported reason for playing crosswords is the desire to undertake a challenge. Alternate reasons associated with learning, entertainment and habits were also listed.
| Reason | Percentage |
| Challenging | 69% |
| Exercises the brain | 65% |
| Occupy mind | 60% |
| Fun to do | 56% |
| To pass time | 39% |
| To learn | 34% |
| To feel clever | 20% |
| Part of daily routine | 9% |
| A family tradition | 7% |
| A weekend activity | 6% |
A graph is given below to show the top 5 reasons for people to play crosswords:
