I get about six hours of sleep daily, less than the majority of folks. This means I have 18 hours to fill, which is a lot. Overall, I do a fairly decent job with that, I guess. Some combination of the following occupies me pretty well most days: family life; household chores and duties; social life; volunteer work; reading; listening to music; watching TV; dining out; long walks; pecking away at my computer’s keyboard to produce content for the dodgy publication you’re now staring at. And I’d be remiss not to mention scratching my balls while belting out the melodies of my favorite Gregorian chants. Yes indeed, I love doing that very much. It’s just about my only activity that isn’t on the mild side.
But wait, there’s more! After attending to personal hygiene matters and downing hot coffee, I kick off most every day by tackling one or two sudoku puzzles online, via the Brainbashers website. Man, I’m addicted to sudoku, a logic-based game involving the correct placement of numbers in a grid. I quickly became hooked when, in 2011, I researched and deciphered sudoku’s inner workings. I’ve interacted with thousands of sudoku puzzles since then.
After satisfying my sudoku jones and then eating breakfast, I retrieve the copy of The Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper that has been tossed onto our driveway by my family’s paper-delivery guy. I postpone reading any of its articles and head straight to the crossword puzzle, for sudoku is not the only puzzle genre I’m addicted to. Settled comfortably upon the living room sofa or at the dining room table, I do my best to fill in the crossword’s blank spaces accurately.
All told, I devote an average of roughly 90 minutes daily to puzzles. That’s nearly 8.5% of my waking hours, a significant figure. I’ve often wondered if I should cut back. Addictions, needless to say, can be seriously unhealthy. And so, several weeks ago, at my most recent session with my psychiatrist Dr. R. U. Forereel, I brought up the subject.
“What? You do puzzles for 10 or more hours each week? What in the world is wrong with you, Neil?” Dr. Forereel commented.
“But, sudoku and crossword puzzles relax me. And they help to keep the old brain cells in shape.”
“Old is right, Neil,” my doctor said, after glancing at my chart. “You’re soon to turn 78, I see. Neil, you’re ancient, and should be doing your utmost to live life to its fullest at this point. After all, who knows how many more tomorrows you have left? Stop squandering time on puzzles. Do something exciting instead. Take up rock climbing, for instance. Or Formula One race car driving. I could give many more suggestions. The possibilities are almost endless.”
“Dr. Forereel, are you trying to get me killed?” I asked her. “I’m not a daredevil. I’m not sure what I am, actually, but built-for-thrills sure doesn’t fit my description.”
“Neil, where oh where have I gone wrong? You’ve been my patient for years and years, and yet, despite my strongest efforts to build it up, your self-confidence remains at the meh level. Sometimes I question my efficacy as a physician.”
“Efficacy is such a wonderful word, Dr. Forereel, one I haven’t heard in ages. For that alone, I consider today’s session to be valuable. But, getting back to puzzles, have I truly been on the wrong track by giving substantial amounts of time to them?”
“Of course you have, Neil. Puzzles are frivolous. If I’d wasted time on such nonsense, I’d never have become the respected healer that I am.”
“Doctor, I’ll follow your sage advice. You’ve convinced me that I absolutely need to amp up my life. Nothing I’m involved with right now pushes the envelope.”
“That‘s the spirit, Neil. It seems I’ve underestimated you. Well, the clock on the wall tells me that today’s session has reached its end. Go get ’em, tiger!”
Over the next few days, my vision of how I might better allocate my time began to crystalize. There are so many paths, I realized, that would lead me to becoming a more-daring version of myself. Alas, I’m sorry to report that things have remained unchanged. My gas pedal is stuck. Dr. Forereel will be hugely disappointed.
What can you say? Life’s a bit of a puzzle, isn‘t it?
Yeah, Another Blogger 
This all makes sense to me, Neal. I also love sudoku amd othe number challenges. My grandmother used to do crossword puzzles all the time before bed. I think it helped keep her mind sharp, and she had an excellent vocabulary.
Like you, I’m a six hour a night sleeper. (Sometimes less when I have trouble falling asleep.) Most people don’t understand that I just don’t seem to need as much sleep, but lately I occasionally have to take a nap in the day. My sleep hours are something like 1:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. If I wake up and I’m not tired, why stay in bed?
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“If I wake up and I’m not tired, why stay in bed?” — That’s the way I look at it.
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Exactly Neil! I feel the same way. Nobody else I know seems to understand that. You are the first.
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We think alike!
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It sure is, Neil. One that I definitely haven’t figured out. My M also love puzzles and spends about 90 mins to 2 hours on them every day. Crosswords, Sudoku and many others. I think they’re good for you. I also think you should change doctors. 😉
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I’ve been with Dr. Forereel for a very long time. I’ll probably stick with her.
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I used to do Sudoku every day when we still received a print newspaper. I like hearing about how good puzzles are for keeping the mind sharp because then I don’t feel guilty spending so much time on them. It is easier than the physical workouts!
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I hope that puzzles keep our minds sharp. But even if they don’t actually do that, they still are enjoyable.
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I’m a puzzler too. Great for the mind.
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Let’s hope so!
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Dear Neil, you should be knighted for making people laugh in difficult times! As always, when you answer my prayer and brilliantly write about your imaginary editor or your therapist you make me happy for the whole day! Thank you! I do crosswords every day!
Joanna
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Hi, Joanna. Do you do crosswords online or in paper publications?
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In the newspaper, which I have delivered to my door.
Joanna
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My husband and younger daughter are sudoku obsessed, weather the other is all puzzles enthusiast. I used to do lots of puzzle before sleeping now only occasionally. But once you start , you can’t stop they are addicting .
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They really are addicting. As usual, I started today with sudoku and crossword puzzles.
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Enjoy the new puzzles and sudoku then. 🤓
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I’m with your doctor. Do something that scares you. You will be (even) happier.
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Yeah, I could use a new and exciting activity. Not sure what it might be, though.
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Ah, you could be doing worse than giving time to the puzzles! And you get plenty of exercise chasing those artily decorated vehicles in Philadelphia. Who needs to drive a racing car when you can chase on down on foot!
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Right, looking for those decorated vehicles keeps me somewhat spry.
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It’s important to keep the brain active at our age. Frivolity is good for us. Enjoy!
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“Frivolity is good for us.” — I like this expression a lot!
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I love Sudoku too
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Hi. You might want to give BrainBashers a try, if you already haven’t. Each day they publish a bunch of sudoku puzzles, of varying degrees of difficulty. They have a million other types of puzzles too.
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Thanks for the tip, I’ll check it out.
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My husband loves Sudoku and he’s also gone back to doing online crossword puzzles too. In fact he’s doing one as I type here. You know what they say, “if you don’t use it, you lose it!” Keep puzzling away. And maybe change your doctor! I reckon it’s a brilliant way to pass those hours.
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I’d be kind of lost without sudoku and crossword puzzles, that’s for sure.
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Terrible thing to admit, but I can’t do sudoku. Or wordle. I can do a crossword, so long as it isn’t cryptic (and I know there’s a formula for those), and I’m okay at word finding grids. I think your addiction sounds most impressive!
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Hi. The percentage of adults who do puzzles of one kind or another probably is pretty high. There’s a million types of puzzles out there.
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My sister is obsessed with puzzles. That’s great because working on puzzles brings her much joy.
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It’s a wonderful thing when a person has an activity that puts a lot of joy into their life.
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I haven’t gotten into sudoku (not much of a numbers/math guy), but I love crossword puzzles. I tend to do them when I’m laying in bed in the evenings. I find them relaxing and I think they may trigger more vivid dreams.
Plus, as you noted, they stimulate the old brain cells. At least, the ones that are still functional!
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We have to hang onto whatever functional cells we have left!
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I think many locals will be surprised to hear your Inquirer delivery actually hits your driveway, Neil. I still read it on occasion, but back in the day “fondly” recall drying it off each day before reading. Mrs. B is the puzzle pro in this house, and for sure, she is one puzzle I’m still trying to solve.
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Hi Bruce. We’ve had lots of problems with paper delivery over the years. But this year we’ve received almost every issue, amazingly. In any case, the paper arrives inside a plastic bag. So, it’s never wet.
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I’m right there with you! I do the WSJ crossword online every morning with my breakfast and coffee and used to do a daily Sudoku puzzle (and another crossword) when I still got a print paper.
I can solve your problem with the good doctor – I found a Sodoku app for my phone that has a variation called Killer Sudoku. There are fewer clues and groups of cells outlined in dotted lines in which the numbers have to match a total given for that group (in addition to the normal grid rules). It is exciting because it is timed. When I can do a hard level in 5 minutes, I consider it a win.
The secret to life: Do more puzzles!!
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Hi. BrainBashers has killer sudoku puzzles each day. Maybe I’ll look at them and try to figure out the rules. Killer sudoku might spice up my life!
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Sudoku just never makes sense to me but I do like crosswords and other types of games/puzzles. Dr. Forereel seems to be missing the mark with his advice. I mean I suspect he’s not out rock climbing between patients right?
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Hi. I don’t think that Dr. Forereel is a rock climber, but you never know!
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Everything comes down to how we FEEL about how we spend our hours. I do a lot of jigsaw puzzles, people might chuckle, because the people who might chuckle are not climbing Mt Everest. Their lives are boring and they rush to start drinking at night. To each his own I say. The real issue is if YOU feel you’ve become boring. THEN it is time to change things around. That’s the true barometer, it’s how WE feel about our lives. Maybe it’s time to go sky diving, or dune bugging riding. LOL. All you need is ONE good photo, pass that around to your family and friends… then you can coast on your puzzles for another 2 years. LOL
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Hi. I wouldn’t mind spicing up my life a bit. I used to go to lots and lots of concerts (rock, jazz, and other genres). I’d do well to start doing that again, because live music can be very exciting.
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YES, it’s not over UNTIL it is over! Music is great, look forward to a concert post!
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I hate to feed your addiction, Neill, but take a look at the Hey Good Game stable. Crosswordle and Mathler are very good games, but Squeezy is my top favourite.
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Thanks, I’ll look at that site.
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Great story, Neil. Dr. Forereel, hilarious. Solving the puzzle of life is near impossible. I drift towards word puzzles because I need to solve something, figure something out. I hope all is well.
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Life is and always will remain a puzzle!
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You’ve left us with some images to conjure with there, Neil – especially your Gregorian chant whilst scratching! I’d give it a go, but my voice is nothing to shout about – or rather, that’s how my singing voice was once described – just shouting. I’m a fan of Soduko – the easier, the better. Crosswords are okay, but the cryptic ones leave me stumped, even if I’ve got the answers in front of me. Your gas pedal seems okay to me, though.
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Hi Michael. If you can’t sing along with Gregorian chants, then hum along. And don’t forget to scratch!
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For an exciting challenge, I would simply recommend plane travel. Packing efficiently, figuring out how to operate the airline kiosks, navigating the TSA lines, remembering all the current rules, hefting your suitcase into the overhead compartment — it’s all one huge puzzle!
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You’re not kidding. Airplane travel sucks. I’m not a fan.
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I don’t do any puzzles, but I can see a point in my future where I might. My sis does, loves them.
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You don’t need puzzles — you’re well-occupied with other pursuits!
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30 years ago when I was at a crossroad with life decisions my trusted feelings doctor gave me advice I never took. So glad I ignored him. Maybe you’ll get there too.
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Right, it’s important to try and determine which advice is good advice.
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Yes indeed.
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I do Sudoku too, not everyday, but almost. I’ll do Wordle too and sometimes Worldle. You’ll have to entertain us with a recording of your Gregorian chants one day 😊 Maggie
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There’s nothing better than a good Gregorian chant!
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I’m not a numbers person, so I do the NYT Spelling Bee and Connections word games instead. One thing your “doctor” forgot to mention is that doing puzzles is supposedly good for staving off dementia. At least you have that going for you. 🙂
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Hi Marie. Let’s hope that what you said about doing puzzles is true!
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Puzzles are indeed addictive.
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It’s better to be addicted to puzzles than to heroin!
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Puzzles are brain food, good exercise for the mind! I too spend time doing crossword puzzles and sudoku. I find it relaxing and it takes my mind off more stressful things. Keep at it!
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Hi. I imagine that at least 50 million people do crosswords each day, and maybe almost as many people do sudokus. In any case, they definitely are popular.
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I used to do sudoku and crosswords back in the paper days, but never got into them online. I do Wordle every morning, that’s all. Oh, and online solitaire. I would definitely ignore Dr Forereel’s advice.
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Yeah, she’s probably wrong about puzzles. But I think she’s right that I should try to amp up my life a bit.
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Just don’t go crazy!
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You should do whatever makes you happy! My mother and I were addicted to jigsaw puzzles, no sooner finishing one than starting another. I was living her with the time as her caregiver, and stayed up late may nights putting in just one more piece. Since she died last year I haven’t been able to do a single one. PS. I envy you functioning on 6hours sleep – I need 9 and sometimes a nap too!
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Hi Joni. Many thanks for adding your thoughts. I totally agree with your opening statement. It’s a key to living a fulfilling life.
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I’ve read that sudoku and crossword puzzles are excellent for brain health. Your Dr. Forereel must be out-of-touch on matters related to the aging brain. Besides, doesn’t she know that just getting out of bed every morning is the most daring act these days?
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If Trump stayed in bed, the world would be better off.
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Without a doubt.
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I think puzzles help me stay sane. In addition to daily Sudokus, I do Wordle, Quordle, Octordle, Connections, and Keyword, plus the occasional Crossword. I’d like to believe they keep my mind nimble, but I know they divert me for an hour or so from the s#*t show that is happening all around us. That’s no small thing. Puzzle away, Neil.
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The world is such a mess in many ways. Sometimes it seems as though an alien species has infiltrated the minds of hundreds of millions of people.
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Sure is! Seems to me that puzzles are a simple pleasure that should be enjoyed as much as you have time for. I have also read that they keep you sharp. Indulge!
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Hi, Laurie. Crosswords and sudokus can be challenging. That’s an aspect of them I like a lot.
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Formula 1…now theres an idea😁
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Zoom!!
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wonderfully entertaining; you’re doing all the right things, Neil keeping mentally and physically active lie me — and you feel better for it. I take a senior’s nap most days, about 45 minutes mid afternoon. I read, I write, attend Fellowship, family dinners. Might give Formula 1 a miss 🙂
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To each his own! I spend about an hour every morning doing puzzles – they wake me up.
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Hey there, Jan. Puzzles are good food for the brain.
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Hi Neil – the NYTimes “connections” puzzle is kinda fun and usually involves thinking outside the box a bit (adding letters, removing letters to find words inside, realizing they’re homonyms, etc.) And the Times spelling bee is also kinda fun except the editor is pretty idiosyncratic about what words are accepted. I know lots of folks love sudoko but anything involving logic or figures gives me horrible flashbacks to high school!!
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Evening! I’m amazed by the huge number of puzzles online and in print. I imagine that a fair number of people make a living from the puzzle industry. And it’s probably inevitable that AI will end up taking away jobs from plenty of those people.
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I hadn’t thought of that, I hope not. Seems like a puzzle like Connections needs the human touch and some imagination.
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My Uncle Frank used to work crossword puzzles morning, noon, and night. When he died, we buried him six down and three across.
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And rightly so!
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It sure is, Neil! But I’d rather it a crossword puzzle than a Rubik’s cube.;)
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I agree!
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You’re 78 years young? Amazing!
Your doctor seems out of touch, really, as puzzles do stimulate the brain cells and I’ve been told, keep them from growing lazy/stagnating…and we don’t want a stagnant brain! 😉
It sounds as though you do loads with your day.
If only I could get 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night – I relish the thought and dream!
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Hi. The word game I often hear about is Wordle. It has become hugely popular. I hope its creator is getting proper royalties!
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Yes, I’ve heard that one and several of my friends are addicted.
When I lived on our boat/s, I was addicted to Suduko and like you did one each day. One of the newspapers (remember those?) had a very difficult one with 4 suduko puzzles connected by a fith in the centre, so no duplicating numbers. I used to be called the “Suduko Widow” because once I started, no one would see me for hours! 🤣
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Hmm, I would recommend getting a new doctor! Just surviving in this crazy world is daring enough. Keep doing the puzzles. 😊
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Hi. It’s about 6:45AM where I live — I’m about to tackle a sudoku!
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Puzzles!!! Yessss!!!
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Hi. Puzzles are a big part of many peoples’ lives.
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I love the Wordle and Connections puzzles on the NYT website. The Wordle was started by a Brit during covid as a present to his girlfriend to help keep her amused but soon taken over by the NYT.
Not sure that puzzles do help the brain stay sharp or not, the jury’s still out, but they certainly do entertain.
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I hope that the Wordle creator was paid handsomely by the NYT!
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Yes I really hope so. It used to be an open-to-all puzzle but now there are lots of adverts and you have to subscribe to many of the other puzzles. Only a matter of time before that happens to my favourite puzzle.
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Don’t give up the puzzles! They are part of my daily ritual as well…right after I have enough coffee to wake up my brain.
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Hi, and thanks very much for stopping by. You and I definitely are puzzle addicts!
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You suggest to your doctor that he try these things first…..until then, enjoy your puzzles!
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Puzzles are good company!
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Is she For Real, Neil? Give up your relaxing puzzles? No way! I am personally addicted to the NY Times crossword puzzles and the Spelling Bee. I believe they enhance my efficacy in dealing with the bizarre world we live in at this time.
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Annie, anyone who says “efficacy” is my kind of person.
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I borrowed that from your doctor, Neil.😊
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I have only one Wordle to add. Give it a try in your puzzling spare time.
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Hi Fran. Wordle caught on quickly. In only a handful of years, it has become hugely popular.
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I used to buy sudoku or crossword books and do them on my train ride to and from work. 90 minutes a day of puzzles is pretty impressive and sounds like a great way to exercise your mind! Are there better ways to spend that time? Maybe. But there are way worse things you could do with that time too!
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You’re right! I hadn’t thought of it that way.
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N
P I E C E
C
N E I L
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Gracias.
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That was supposed to format like a crossword puzzle! Sheesh!
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Ah, puzzles. Or better yet, make that PUZZLES!!! Like you, I do cryptic crosswords, not the Philly Enquirer, but The London Times. Ed orders the books and we work on them together over breakfast and lunch. They’re exactly what the doctor ordered. No offense to Dr. Forereel, BUT crosswords keep your brain sharp, exactly the right sort of “exercise” as one “matures.” During the pandemic, I also began a daily session of jigsaw puzzles, thousand-piece babies. LOVE them! They are my “decompression” from stress, house/yard tasks, etc. And they take quite a lot of brainwork, seeing where one piece fits among a thousand. So, puzzle a way, m’lad, and may we both puzzle our way into another hundred years!
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Hi Amy. Jigsaw puzzles with one thousand pieces sound very challenging. How long on average does it take to complete them?
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Depends, but overall 4 weeks to 8 weeks (for the real toughies). I spend 45 minutes a day on them (obviously there are exceptions to that sked). One of the things I really love is that, for me, this is all about process, not goals, i.e., deadlines, which as a writer/editor, I have had a lot of in my life. But, if you pick a medium puzzle (in terms of complexity), I think 4 weeks is a good bet. I find it a truly relaxing and fun activity.
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