Every day millions of puzzle-addicts curl up on their couch, lounge in the yard, or relax in bed with a book of word searches in-hand. If you ask them why they do, they’d probably tell you that it’s a fun activity to help pass the time. But whether they realize it or not, they are actually exercising their brain. Just like the muscles in your arms and legs become stronger when you exercise them regularly, your brain function improves when you exercise its powers.

Word searches are indeed fun to complete, but they are also a tool for exercising the brain. By doing a word search or two a day, you can improve your short-term memory, increase your spelling and vocabulary skills, increase your reading speed, train your mind to concentrate more deeply, and reduce stress and anxiety.

1. Improve Short-Term Memory

The memory functions in your brain are in constant check as you complete a word search puzzle. As you recall which words have been found and which ones you are still searching for, your brain is rapidly prioritizing and reanalyzing lists of items in your short-term memory. Your brain is also subconsciously mapping the puzzles, making note of where letter combinations can be found, and which areas words are likely to appear.

2. Increase Spelling Ability

Word searchers are always in the process of hunting for new combinations in letters, in a particular sequential order. While words might be hidden backwards, forwards, horizontally, or vertically, the order of the letters remains the same. When people are completing a word search puzzle, they are consciously repeating the spelling of a word again and again in their minds until they find the letter combination they are hunting for. Focusing on spelling an individual word for a minute or more will no doubt leave an impression of proper spelling in your brain.

3. Higher Reading Speeds

Think of word search puzzles as brain training exercises for recognizing words quickly. That’s the same skill that people use when they learn to speed read. Experienced word find fanatics have trained their brain to find all types of words - long and short - quickly at a glance. When they pick up the newspaper, a magazine, or novel, this skill transfers into improved reading speed. They have an ability to be able to absorb many more words by simply skimming over a page.

4. Improve Concentration

If you have ever completed a word search puzzle, you know that it requires a great deal of focus to sort through seemingly random jumbles of letters to find the right words. Those who complete puzzles are training their mind to tune out background noise and minor distractions, and concentrate deeply on the task at-hand.

5. Reduce Stress

Minds that are constantly worrying and nervous are not healthy minds. Word searches provide a temporary escape from the stresses of everyday reality. Completing puzzles can challenge minds, while putting them at ease at the same time. Emotional hardship and the chaos of life are tunes out, while the powers of concentration and focus consume your energy throughout the time you\’re working on the puzzle.

About the Author: Tim Wei is a word puzzle addict, and creator of a popular website with free, printable word search puzzles. He also enjoys crosswords and cryptograms.

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