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Stress? Crosswords Good for Mind and Body

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with The Inner Iris Photography

Stressing out much lately? No time for books or extensive outdoor activities?

Have you tried a crossword puzzle? 

Trust me this works... just take ten minutes out of your busy hectic day to sit down with a handy book of crosswords and make yourself finish a puzzle. You will involuntarily take your mind off of what ever million things it was contemplating and focus on a puzzle instead. This works great for calming the nerves and relieves a little stress in the process. Some times the hardest thing for me is to stop thinking about whatever it is that is most bothering me and crosswords have really helped a lot.

If a crossword seems like too much of a waste of time to you try looking at it as a tool for sharpening your mind and vocabulary. It makes for good common sense that using your brain to think of "that word" will activate the mental function of recalling. I know many amongst my elder acquaintance that use crosswords and other puzzles as a fun and diverting deterrent to Alzheimers disease.

There are so many puzzle collections now days to choose from that there is a book of puzzles for everyone and many magazines and papers include them as well. I, enjoying History, love to brush up on various facts while doing a crossword. I use SPUZZLES History crosswords from SPARKNOTES. And i often catch myself blurting out loud... "Ah I knew that"! But there are tons of different ones to choose from ranging from humor to television and everything in between. I have even come across a "naughty" crossword book, but chose not to inquire as to what exactly it refered to!-lol Point is, there is something for everyone and you've just to stop at your local book store such as Barnes and Noble for a great selection. Give them a try, it really will release some of that Holiday and Work stress that is already upon us.- Happy Puzzling!

Robert Monk
100% Realty, Inc. - Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Florida Real Estate
Shellee, that is wonderful advice for the relief of stress, to improve one's vocabulary, to sharpen the memory, and, did I mention, to sharpen the memory!
Oct 17, 2007 02:52 AM
Candy Henthorne
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring Texas Real Estate

Shellee - Excellent Post!  I totally agree that a book of crosswords is good for the mind and sole!  Keeps you sharp!  I hope you insire others!  I try and do a crossword every day. We all have parents or older friends/family that could use this excellent tip. 

My grandmother got to where she could no longer do the crosswords, so she did the find-a-word books in her later years. 

Oct 17, 2007 09:46 AM
Glenda Conrad
Jack Gaughen Realtor ERA - Camp Hill, PA

Working on crossword puzzles is actually the advice I had given my brother who has recently gone through a divorce.  My mother is actually the one who got ME started on them a few years back.  We have alot of depression and axiety that runs in the family and relaxing with a crossword puzzle will ALWAYS ease my daily tensions.  Its great to hear that other people have picked up on this technique...Great post!

Oct 20, 2007 02:08 PM
Shellee Ashmore
The Inner Iris Photography - Spring, TX

Robert- Yea  its nice we can a t least do something to keep are memories from slipping away from us.

Deborah- You should absolutely write that blog! 

Candy- I am glad you  enjoyed it and yea I think its great for old and young alike!

Glenda- My Grandmother is the one that got me hooked on them. And i am glad she did because they do help me too if i am feeling down or depressed. Thanks for sharing. 

Oct 22, 2007 12:56 AM
Minnesota Home Staging Firm, Minnesota
Minnesota Home Staging Network~ MN's Top Home Staging Firm - Inver Grove Heights, MN

What about Suduko's???  I've been doing them recently to get my mind focused more. 

Love them!

Oct 22, 2007 10:33 AM
Candy Henthorne
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring Texas Real Estate
Good idea Beth, I love Suduko!  and it is my favorite of all!
Oct 22, 2007 10:40 AM
Shellee Ashmore
The Inner Iris Photography - Spring, TX
Beth- I've  never  played but  Candy has promised to teach me! Great thought.
Oct 22, 2007 11:07 AM
Robert Monk
100% Realty, Inc. - Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Florida Real Estate
Shellee, I think crosswords and suduko are both great for the memory and sharpening the mind.  nice post.
Oct 25, 2007 02:44 AM
Chad Baird
Re/Max Spirit - Dayton, OH
I work crosswords everyday.  I always finish them, even If I have to use google!  Very relaxing. 
Oct 25, 2007 03:27 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

The trouble with crosswords is, you can't just do 10 minutes.  haha

sudoku is even worse!  Especially Killer Sudoku!

Nov 05, 2007 06:28 AM
Shellee Ashmore
The Inner Iris Photography - Spring, TX

Chad- i always do the ones that have answers available... just in case i have to cheat! =)

Georgina- I know! i can never do just one.

Robert- yep, i think they are very useful tools 

Nov 12, 2007 09:42 AM