The idea that all the pieces of your life will eventually fit together, no matter how scattered they may seem, mirrors the experience of assembling a LEGO set. This sentiment was echoed by HG, a writer for Canary Media, who collected a series of interviews and quotes from individuals who have found solace in one of the world’s most iconic toys. These stories reveal how playing with LEGO can help people heal from trauma, manage stress, and alleviate anxiety.
LEGO’s therapeutic potential lies in its ability to absorb the mind and provide a welcome distraction. For adults grappling with the pressures of demanding jobs, financial burdens, or traumatic experiences, the act of snapping together LEGO bricks while following precise instructions offers a much-needed mental reprieve. This simple yet engaging activity allows their brains to shift focus away from their worries, fostering a sense of calm and control.
HG interviewed several individuals, including veterans with PTSD, who shared how LEGO has helped them achieve a meditative state. For some, the toys provide a way to revisit and express childhood emotions in a safe environment. As Dr. Jay Watts, a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist, explained to Canary Media, “Psychology has begun to recognize that play is as important to healing from trauma as processing trauma memories and establishing good-enough relationships. We’re reawakening an inner child that’s been too scared, too damaged, or too paralyzed to move, and freeing them historically helps free us a little in the now.”
Robin Krauth, a retired Army Medic, spoke to the Military Times about how she discovered the calming effects of LEGO after receiving a 1,000-piece set of the Hogwarts Castle from the Harry Potter franchise. Krauth, who served in Iraq during a particularly violent period, was surprised by the therapeutic impact of the toy. “I really didn’t play with LEGOs as a child. But when I’m doing it now, I’m focused. All the other fears fall away,” she shared. Her deployment was marked by daily mortar attacks and a deeply traumatic incident involving a murder-suicide by a fellow U.S. Marine.
Another trauma survivor, AJ, recounted his experience to Canary Media, describing how LEGO provides him with a much-needed mental break. “LEGO allows me to switch my mind off and gives me a break. Sometimes I use it to help me distract myself. If my brain is too full to think, I will just follow the instructions of a set. Other times I feel more creative and will just build and see what comes from it,” he said. This ability to creatively engage with the bricks offers a controlled and rewarding way for trauma victims to explore their imagination, a process that can often be challenging and distressing.
Recognizing the potential for their toys to aid in healing, LEGO has made efforts to use their products for good. The company has sent over 600 toy sets designed to replicate a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine to help ease anxiety in children undergoing scans. This initiative reflects LEGO’s broader understanding of the calming effects of their products, particularly for those facing stressful situations.
LEGO has also directly targeted Adult Fans of LEGO (AFOL) by releasing sets that appeal to nostalgia, such as those based on popular TV shows from the 80s and 90s, or aesthetically pleasing sets like bonsai trees designed for Millennial consumers. Throughout its history, LEGO has relied on its adult fan base to sustain sales during challenging times, partly because building with LEGO offers a “Zen and the Art of Bricklaying” experience that helps adults combat burnout from their daily responsibilities.
This therapeutic aspect is especially relevant for office workers, who often juggle multiple complex tasks. In contrast, the straightforward instructions of a LEGO set provide an opportunity for these individuals to relax and focus on a single, manageable task. According to the Washington Post, LEGO even hired Abbie Headon, a 44-year-old English author, to write a book on how adults concerned about their mental well-being can use LEGO to reduce stress. Headon hadn’t touched a LEGO brick in 20 years before she was commissioned to write *Build Yourself Happy: The Joy of Lego Play*, a 160-page guide released in the U.S. in 2022.
As more people discover the mental health benefits of LEGO, it becomes clear that this beloved toy offers much more than just entertainment. Whether following the detailed instructions of a set or building freely from imagination, LEGO provides a unique way for individuals to find peace, creativity, and a sense of control in their lives. It’s the perfect reason to pick up the latest revision of the classic LEGO Medieval Castle set and start building your way to a calmer mind.
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