In today's fast-paced world, carving out moments for relaxation and mindfulness is more important than ever. If you’re looking for a way to unwind, de-stress, and reconnect with yourself, look no further than the surprisingly powerful combination of beautiful jigsaws and aromatherapy candles. With my small British jigsaw puzzle business, Bloom Puzzles, I'm passionate about creating lovely puzzles that offer more than just a fun challenge. I believe that puzzles, when paired with the benefits of essential oils, can unlock a whole new level of mental focus, mental relaxation, and overall well-being.

The Power of Puzzles: More Than Just a Fun Activity

Gone are the days when puzzles were seen as a simple pastime for children. Many people rediscovered the joys of puzzling during lockdown, and completing a beautiful jigsaw puzzle offers a surprisingly powerful array of benefits for people of all ages.

• Enhanced Mental Focus: The process of piecing together a puzzle requires close attention and problem-solving skills. As you carefully analyse shapes, colours and the smallest details, distractions fade away, promoting a feeling of being grounded in the present moment.
• Mental Relaxation: The small repetitive actions involved in assembling a puzzle can have a calming effect on the mind. The act of concentrating on the task at hand is a form of mindfulness, reducing stress and anxiety.
• Improved Cognitive Function: Studies suggest that puzzles can be exceptionally good for your brain; they improve memory, spatial reasoning, and visual-perceptual skills. The mental workout involved in puzzling can keep your brain sharp and engaged.
• A Sense of Accomplishment: Successfully completing a puzzle brings a satisfying sense of accomplishment, boosting self-esteem and promoting feelings of well-being. You can enjoy a dopamine hit, the reward hormone, for each puzzle piece you place in its correct home.
• Digital Detox: Puzzles provide a screen-free escape, allowing you to disconnect from the constant digital stimulation in our 21^st century lives.

The Benefits of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy, the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic purposes, has been around for centuries. Essential oils, extracted from different parts of plants, possess a wide range of properties that can influence both physical and emotional well-being. When you light an aromatherapy candle made using sustainable natural wax, you introduce an extra dimension to your puzzling, so if you’ve never considered combining essential oil candles with jigsaw puzzles, here’s why they are perfect partners:

• Stress Relief & Relaxation: Certain essential oils, like lavender, chamomile, and bergamot, are known for their calming properties. Their soothing scents can help lower stress hormones and promote relaxation.
• Improved Mood & Energy: Uplifting essential oils like citrus (lemon, grapefruit) and peppermint can boost energy levels and create a more positive mood while you puzzle.
• Enhanced Focus & Concentration: Rosemary, basil, and eucalyptus are known to stimulate brain activity and improve focus, making your puzzle sessions more productive.
• Sensory Experience: The combination of a beautiful puzzle and the scent of essential oils creates an immersive and multi-sensory experience.

5 Tips to Make the Most of Your Puzzle & Aromatherapy Candle Experience:

• Create a dedicated puzzle space: Find a quiet, clutter-free area with good lighting. This helps you focus on the puzzle pieces and avoid distractions. Ideally invest in a puzzle board that folds away to protect your progress and safeguard the remaining pieces. These can be stored flat under a sofa or bed until your next puzzling session - if you can tear yourself away!
• Enjoy the ritual of lighting your candle: Allow the candle to burn for a few minutes before starting your puzzle to let the essential oils fill the room and create a soothing atmosphere. The flicker and soft glow of candlelight adds to the ambiance, further promoting relaxation and mindfulness, and making it the perfect evening activity away from the sleep disruption of blue light from a screen.
• Focus on the process: Don't worry about rushing to complete your puzzle. Savour the process of finding the right pieces one at a time, appreciate the artwork, and enjoy the sense of peace in each moment.
• Set yourself a target: Focus on one area of the puzzle image to complete and enjoy the sense of achievement you experience before moving on.
• Take breaks: Once you get started it can be difficult to tear yourself away (every puzzler has thought to themselves ‘just one more piece…’) but if you feel frustrated or your focus fades, take a short break and come back refreshed.

Bloom Puzzles: Where Art Meets Relaxation

The Bloom Puzzles range is a stunning collection of beautiful jigsaws, featuring wonderful artwork by talented artists. Whether you're drawn to expansive landscapes, vibrant colours, or detailed images that captivate, there is a puzzle perfect to whisk you off to different world. As a jigsaw puzzle business based in the UK, I prioritise sustainability, eco-friendly practices and materials, while supporting other British businesses wherever possible.

The Bloom Puzzles approach of pairing puzzles with aromatherapy to unlock a whole new way to relax and practise mindfulness is unique (there is also a playlist for every puzzle but that’s for another time). The essential oil candles I’ve chosen to complement each puzzle image are designed to enhance your experience of the puzzle you've chosen. If you can’t wait to try it for yourself, take a look at the puzzle and candle combinations under Gift Sets here. A Bloom Puzzle and aromatherapy candle set also makes the perfect gift for any occasion. Share the benefits of relaxation and mindfulness with your favourite people.

So, take a deep breath and prepare to lose yourself amongst the puzzle pieces. These are puzzles to make you feel good…

Happy puzzling!