Puzzles to Help You Relax Before Bed

Word-based and number-based puzzles are great tools to help us keep our brains active and engaged. From classic crosswords and sudoku to pattern-matching games and logic puzzles, there’s something for every interest and skill level. Many of these puzzles are offered in a range of difficulties, so whether you’re looking for a quick challenge or a longer, more immersive activity, there’s always something that fits.

Puzzles aren’t just entertaining, though; they support cognitive health, too. Studies have shown that regularly engaging in problem-solving tasks can improve memory, sharpen focus, and even help maintain mental flexibility as we age. For many people, doing puzzles also has a calming effect, especially when added to a wind-down routine before bed.

Instead of reaching for your phone to scroll through endless feeds or watching one more episode of your favorite TV show, spending ten or 15 minutes with a puzzle can offer a quieter, more focused way to settle down. It shifts your attention away from the day’s stress and onto something structured, yet low-pressure. This light mental effort can help signal to your brain that it’s time to slow down. In fact, puzzles that aren’t tied to bright screens or fast-paced visuals are often recommended by sleep experts as part of a screen-light nighttime routine.

Try out some of these fun online or printable brain teasers and see which ones work best for you. Over time, you might find they become a comforting ritual as your head hits the pillow and your body hits the mattress, helping you end the day on a calmer note.

Crosswords

Sudoku

Word Searches

Nonograms

Logic Puzzles

Jigsaw Puzzles

About Derek Hales

Derek Hales is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of NapLab. His insights and work has been featured on ABC's Tamron Hall Show, Freakonomics, CBS News, ESPN, Reader's Digest, Homes & Gardens, New York Post, CNET, & More. Derek has personally tested 440+ mattresses and began testing mattresses in 2014.