Community Library Notes: New jigsaws and seasonal notes on kale

The Mendocino Community Library recently restocked its jigsaw puzzle collection, and a cited wellness article and experts in the piece say puzzles engage multiple brain areas and may support cognition and relaxation.

The Mendocino Community Library has just restocked its shelves with a variety of new jigsaw puzzles. The writer, who is not a regular puzzler, describes finding a wellness article that reframed puzzles as more than a pastime. Experts quoted in that article link puzzling to cognitive engagement and a calming effect. The piece also notes other simple activities, such as knitting, as supportive for mental well-being. Key facts: - The Mendocino Community Library recently restocked its jigsaw puzzle collection in varying sizes. - Puzzles are reported to activate multiple brain areas at once, including visual processing, problem-solving, fine motor coordination, and memory retrieval; this pattern is described as bilateral integration. - Joel Salinas, MD, a dementia specialist at NYU, is quoted saying that regularly engaging in mentally stimulating activities can build "cognitive reserve" or "cognitive resilience." - The article reports that people over 50 who have done jigsaw puzzles for many years tend to perform better on global cognitive tests, and experts note potential benefits for those who begin puzzling later in life. - The library's hours are listed as Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm, and a website address is provided for membership and collection information. Summary: The restocked puzzle selection is presented alongside expert commentary that puzzles engage multiple brain systems and are associated with cognitive reserve and calming effects. Whether this collection will lead to specific programs or broader community uptake is undetermined at this time.