IT looks like snow is just around the corner.
As temperatures drop, parts of the UK apparently look set to receive an influx of snow in the run up to Christmas.
And with that in mind, a clever brainteaser has been put together by Betway, with people challenged to spot the matching pair in a flurry of snowflakes.
The puzzle is made all the more challenging by the fact that all the flakes are the same colour – and are sitting on a blue background.
Only those with 20/20 vision are likely to be able to spot the matching flakes.
And if you’re struggling, there are a few ways you can narrow it down.
Try more Brainteasers here
Start by dividing the image into quarters.
There are five rows and five columns, which can help make things a bit easier.
The first flake you need to look out for is in the bottom section of the image.
Still struggling?
Well, we can tell you it’s actually on the bottom row.
You then need to try and track down the matching one, and it’s NOT on the left hand side of the picture.
It’s in the top quarter too.
If you’ve failed to beat the 30-second timer, and have had enough of the snowflake hunt, scroll down to see the answer.
But if you managed the frosty brainteaser with time to spare, why not challenge yourself with another one – like the tricky puzzle which asks readers to find the odd one out in a sea of TikTok logos.
If you need another challenging test, only the most eagle-eyed readers will be able to spot the six items that need tidying up in this spot the difference puzzle.
You can also test yourself by trying to spot the pinecone in this Autumnal image.
And if you’re already missing bonfire night, why not test yourself to see if you can spot the bonfire with the missing log in this brainteaser.
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.”
Puzzles that ask you to find the hidden object are a good way to improve your visual skills – such as focus and observation – while spotting the odd one out might be a good IQ test.
And you can also expect to get an injection of dopamine when you solve the puzzle – leading to an element of stress relief.
“Puzzles are small-scale versions of this ‘quest for understanding,’ even though there is nothing new at the end of the hunt when a solution is uncovered,” Dr Danesi, professor emeritus of semiotics and anthropology and author, told Reader’s Digest.
“It is the hunt itself that is likely to stimulate various areas of the brain that involve discovery and a sense of satisfaction at once.”
