Iconic construction toy company LEGO has made a bold claim linking the use of its novelty blocks to positive mental health outcomes for Australians.
The Denmark-based brand has claimed that its product is just as, if not more, beneficial for adults than it is for children in a statement issued ahead of UK OK? Day.
According to the LEGO Group’s Well Report 2022, which surveyed 32,781 parents and adults, 78% of adults said that playing with LEGO helped their own well-being, while 76% said it was essential to their happiness.
Nearly 90 percent of those surveyed said that playing with LEGO strengthened their relationship with their children or partner, according to the report.
Additionally, 88 percent of adults thought playing with building blocks boosted their confidence, 79 percent said it helped develop their emotional intelligence, and 74 percent said it improved their listening skills.
The LEGO Group has enhanced its bricks as key helpers to help users practice mindfulness, having partnered with self-help expert Abbie Hendon to develop helpful practices.
His advice, detailed in his book, Build Yourself Happy, encourages users not to use the LEGO manual when indulging in LEGO-conscious play.
“Don’t worry about the end result. At least to begin with, its goal is not to produce something ‘good’ or ‘bad’, but rather to produce a… result… just a result. For this reason, it is best to avoid building from a LEGO manual,” LEGO said in its article on mindfulness.
“Instead, the focus should be on the building process, which can be something to return to whenever you notice your mind wandering.”
Headon said that “sometimes it can be a lot of fun to live without a plan.”
“When you turn off the constant feedback from your inner critic, you can enjoy the sheer joy of creation, like the kid you used to be,” he writes.
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