WANT to know if you’ve got a higher IQ than most? Well, you’ve come to the right place.
And if you struggle to at night, don’t worry, we’ve got just the thing.


If you’ve ever found yourself lying awake in bed with your , you’re not alone.
Whether it’s replaying the day’s conversations, stressing over tomorrow’s to-do list or spiralling into endless ‘what ifs’ – intrusive thoughts remain one of the biggest barriers to falling asleep.
A Dreams’ Sleep Study revealed that more than half of respondents (52%) typically watch TV in the hour before bed, while over a third (34%) scroll through until they drift off – habits that can often make the problem worse.
But according to Dreams ’ Sleep Expert, Sammy Margo, the solution to bedtime overthinking may be far simpler than you think, and it starts with a .
Engaging in light, low-stress challenges like before bed can break the cycle of overthinking and calm a restless mind.
For some, these focus the prefrontal cortex without causing overstimulation, while the sense of accomplishment triggers small releases of dopamine and serotonin – neurochemicals that promote relaxation and a positive mood.
Together, this helps quiet the stress response, lower cortisol, and prepare the brain for deeper, .
Beyond sleep, puzzles can also be great for looking after our brains.
The UK’s leading dementia research charity, Alzheimer’s Research UK explains that while puzzles themselves aren’t directly proven to reduce risk, they can play an important role in supporting overall brain health.
As a result, here’s a fun created by Dreams that may not only calm your mind and help you drift off, but will also prove how quick you really are.
But are you up for the challenge? Can you spot the five differences in this ?
You’ve got just 30 seconds to find them – yes, you heard that correctly – so time is of the essence.
And some are so well hidden, will you give up minutes after the time runs out?
It’s a true under pressure, so test yourself and see if you can beat the clock.
Using puzzles as a pre-sleep ritual
Dreams’ Sleep Expert, Sammy Margo, has shareed her expert advice on using brainteasers and optical illusions as pre-sleep rituals.
- Puzzle ‘pairing’ with scent
“Lightly scenting your space with lavender, chamomile or other scents while you puzzle creates a sensory link which your brain will start to associate with rest. Over time, the combination of the puzzle and calming scents may become a sleep cue in itself.”
- Try the ‘reverse puzzle trick’
“Instead of working towards completing a crossword or sudoku, deliberately stop just short of finishing. Leaving that last word or number undone, may trick the brain into feeling closure without over-engaging, avoiding the frustration that can keep you up.”
- Double it up with doodling
“If puzzles aren’t your thing, try doodling alongside them. The repetitive hand movements are soothing and combining it with a puzzle engages both logic and creativity – a surprisingly powerful wind-down for the brain.”
- Use mini puzzles as a ‘thought swap’
“Keep a pocket-sized puzzle book by your bed. When intrusive thoughts creep in at 2am, swap them for a quick and easy puzzle. It’s a gentle distraction that redirects your focus away from anxiety and back towards sleep.”
Nail it, and you’ve got seriously impressive observation skills.
and set yourself a timer, but try not to get too distracted by the comfy bed and trendy decor.
So have you found all five differences in this image? If you’re still struggling, scroll down for the answers.
Benefits of brainteasers
are excellent for your noggin because they stimulate cognitive function, improve problem-solving skills and enhance overall mental agility.
They also challenge , including memory, logic and spatial reasoning.
But what’s the benefit? Improved neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to adapt and form new neural connections.
As well as this, activities like brainteasers, require you to think critically, which also sharpens your analytical and reasoning skills.
Some studies even suggest that challenging your brain with teasers may help delay age-related cognitive decline.
Regularly solving brainteasers will help keep your mind sharp, enhance your ability to tackle complex tasks and provide a satisfying mental workout – .
