Happy National Puzzle Day

If you love to use your noggin, today may be your lucky day! It’s National Puzzle Day. While the origins of this holiday are well, puzzling, this annual event is celebrated each year on Jan. 29.

The old expression, “if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it” certainly holds true in this case. In fact, many experts believe the key to keeping the mind healthy and sharp as a tack is to USE it. Just like your body, exercise is beneficial for the brain too.

Researchers discovered that people who participated in mind-stimulating activities including reading, writing, playing crossword puzzles and/or challenging games especially during early and middle life, were less likely to develop brain plaques which are often associated with Alzheimer’s disease. It is estimated that over 5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, the sixth leading of cause of death in America.