Discover the benefits of speedcubing, a competitive puzzle-solving activity that’s not just about solving the Rubik’s Cube quickly, but also about building community, improving mental health, and boosting cognitive function.
The article explores the benefits of speedcubing, a competitive puzzle-solving activity that involves solving the Rubik’s Cube quickly and efficiently. The article highlights several aspects of speedcubing, including:
-
Social Benefits: Speedcubing provides a sense of community and camaraderie among participants, with many competitors forming close bonds and friendships.
-
Mental Health: Speedcubing can contribute to both hedonic wellbeing (related to emotional experiences) and eudemonic wellbeing (concerning meaning and purpose in life), leading to better mental health outcomes.
-
Cognitive Function: While speedcubing may not necessarily improve cognitive function or prevent age-related decline, it can provide a sense of escapism from the stresses of modern life.
-
Physical and Mental Stimulation: Speedcubing requires hand-eye coordination, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving skills, making it an engaging and stimulating activity for participants.
The article also touches on some interesting statistics, including:
- 221,117 men have competed at World Cube Association events compared to 24,311 women.
-
Competitions tend to have more children and teenagers than adults.
-
Speedcubing is significantly more popular with males.
Some notable quotes from the article include:
-
“For those who view speedcubing as a significant part of their life – such as participants in tournaments – it can offer eudemonic happiness, fostering a sense of purpose and meaning through dedication, accomplishment, and community of like-minded people.” (Dr. Beloborodova)
-
“When I pick up the cube, I become more alert and focused.” (Jan Hammer)
-
“The process of taking the cube from this chaotic, disordered state, which is always different because there’s so many permutations of the puzzle, to the same ordered state is fundamentally something that humans want to be doing.” (Toby Wise)
Overall, the article provides a nuanced exploration of the benefits and aspects of speedcubing, highlighting its potential as a hobby or activity for people of all ages.
