. who created a vibrant and empowering design called “Sisterhood”.
The Power of Puzzles: A Surprising Solution for Winter Blues
Winter has a way of slowing everything down. The light fades a little earlier, the air bites a little harder, and the quiet nights stretch longer than we remember. But what if the antidote to burnout and overwhelm wasn’t another wellness hack at all? What if it was something simpler, slower, and far more satisfying? Enter: the humble jigsaw puzzle.
The Rise of the Puzzle Ritual
There’s something quietly radical happening on coffee tables everywhere. Instead of zoning out to yet another series or doom-scrolling through endless feeds, people are turning to puzzles. The act of puzzling draws you into a flow state, where time slips away and stress melts. Research shows that puzzles can reduce cortisol, improve short-term memory, and even stimulate both sides of the brain at once. Unlike meditation apps or morning routines, puzzles ask for nothing more than your attention and give back something far more meaningful: a sense of accomplishment and calm you can actually hold in your hands.
Beyond Beige: The Art Revival of Puzzles
Of course, not all puzzles are created equal. The days of muted landscapes and generic still-lifes are (thankfully) over. A new generation of puzzle brands are redefining what puzzling looks and feels like. One standout is Artfelt Puzzles, a queer-owned company turning puzzles into both art and activism. Each design is a collaboration with LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC artists, transforming the puzzle table into a platform for representation, visibility, and joy.
Founder Sarah Julian explains, “We wanted to make puzzles that make you feel something – joy, rebellion, connection, calm (often all at once) – and meaningful enough to connect you to a bigger story.” Artfelt launched with ten designs that are anything but beige — think tropical explosions of color, joyful portraits, and surreal dreamscapes. Each one brings a spark of energy and narrative that’s the perfect antidote to winter’s gray monotony. Their collaborations include artists like Bats Langley, whose “Picnic Pets” puzzle is a riot of color and whimsy, and Roochita C. who created a vibrant and empowering design called “Sisterhood”.
