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Rubik’s Cube: 20 Potential Benefits / Advantages (Mental, Physical,…)

Last Updated on January 25, 2024 by Gamesver Team and JC Franco

Close-up of Rubik's cube in hands of young boy in casual clothing
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Most people start playing with a Rubik’s Cube out of curiosity and end up hooked on it. It’s become one of the most sold toys on the market, and it’s easy to spot one sitting in most family homes. Solving the puzzle takes a lot of patience, but it also gives you several benefits.

Although it may look quite simple, the Rubik’s cube challenges millions of people around the world. If you want to boost your problem-solving skills, you should consider trying it. A Rubik’s cube can be solved by pretty much anyone, regardless of age, as long as they possess the cognitive abilities. 

If you want to be an achiever, you have to put in as much effort as it takes to do it. The same goes for reaping the benefits of solving a Rubik’s Cube. It will come with time and dedication. Today, we’ll discuss a few things you can take from all your attempts at cubing.

20 ways Rubik’s Cubes can benefit your life:

1. Speedy performance.

When solving a cube quickly, you need swift reflexes; the more you practice, the faster you become. This way, what once took you hours to solve will only take you a few minutes (or maybe seconds). You will realize that you can improve your performance in other areas too.

2. Improves analytical and problem-solving skills.

Rubik’s Cubes pose many problems. Once you hold a scrambled cube, your brain immediately starts to analyze and seek out solutions. Your problem-solving abilities will translate into other aspects of your life.

3. Boosts your sense of accomplishment.

The challenge of solving Rubik’s Cube requires time and effort. Once you reach your goal, you will feel as if your hard work has been rewarded, which can lead to happiness and increased productivity.

4. Complying with instructions.

A critical skill is knowing how to follow instructions, as people who follow directions meticulously usually succeed and experience less hassle. You can use a Rubik’s Cube to train your brain by mapping out steps before trying to fix a problem because if you skip any of its algorithms, you most likely won’t be able to solve it.

5. Staying mentally active.

Whether you play for fun or to quell competitive urges, cubing exercises your brain and provides several cognitive benefits. Keeping your mind active stimulates brain cell growth. Isn’t it wonderful to know that something you enjoy is also good for your brain?

6. Improves hand-eye coordination and finger agility.

One of the most important benefits of playing with Rubik’s Cubes is that it helps with finger dexterity and may even prevent joint degeneration. Having agile fingers will benefit you in many ways, including typing or coding quickly on your computer. 

7. Develops social skills.

Rubik’s Cubes are puzzles that most people do not have the patience or ability to figure out, so when they find someone who can, it draws a lot of attention. Additionally, the cubing community is large and diverse. You may make new friends through competitions.

8. Can improve memory.

While learning new strategies for solving Rubik’s Cubes, your brain works hard to incorporate all the information. Your brain must know all the steps and moves you will take to solve the puzzle quickly.

9. Better reflexes.

To solve a Rubik’s Cube, you need to have quick reflexes. You might have to memorize the algorithms while twisting and turning layers in a matter of seconds. Working on reflexes and speed helps recognize objects fast, read, and notice colors or patterns. It also helps strengthen memory by challenging the eyes and hands to coordinate in perfect harmony.

10. It enhances concentration.

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Rubik’s Cubes involve concentration, but it is harder to remain focused on one task for a long time in today’s digital age. By playing this puzzle often, one trains their brain to ignore distractions.

11. Can help cope with addictions.

In overcoming addictions, Rubik’s Cubes can be beneficial because the puzzle is both entertaining and mentally healthy, keeping you busy and distracted. However, be mindful that Rubik’s Cubes can become addictive themselves.

12. Maintains interest.

As mentioned above, one Rubik’s Cube can provide hours of fun. It is also a viable way to spend time with friends, challenging them to solve the puzzle and joining a friendly competition of who does it faster. These are only a few suggestions, but we’re sure you can find other ways to use the cube to keep yourself entertained.

13. It makes you more determined.

Players test their skills by attempting multiple moves to solve Rubik’s Cubes. Your determination to finish the puzzle increases with each time you switch strategies. This challenge will require you to use your mental abilities to overcome advanced-level problems. In turn, you will remain motivated and will be able to apply those skills to other areas of your life.

14. Improved patience.

When you see a Rubik’s Cube that has been scrambled, you might wonder whether or not you can solve it. Although it only takes 20 (right) moves to put all the colors back together, it might take you much more than that if you are unfamiliar with this game. At one point, you’re going to feel like smashing it! It’s a real patience tester. As you continue to practice, you’ll improve your ability and will solve it quickly.

15. Can help maintain cognitive function as we age.

Speed-cubing requires excellent finger dexterity and improves reflexes, making you more agile. It improves fine motor and social skills altogether. These are all skills that keep your brain active and healthy and can slow down age-related cognitive deterioration.

16. Can keep you mentally sharp.

Solving Rubik’s Cubes enhances your thinking. All the benefits and skills already listed above can improve your thinking and problem-solving speed. Another way Rubik’s Cubes can help you mentally is by teaching you how to work under pressure without losing your mind.

17. Encourages creativity.

Solving a Rubik’s Cube requires various strategies, and you start to develop your own as you play with a scrambled cube. Rubik’s Cubes engage both the creative and analytical sides of your brain. Learning more about this puzzle allows you to develop strategies that are tailored to your preferences, which can give you an edge if you want to compete.

kid having fun
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18. Improves speech issues.

Because solving Rubik’s Cubes is dynamic, it improves your cognitive and problem-solving abilities and helps promote spatial relationships. According to Great Speech, an online speech therapy service, speech therapists use the popular toy in sessions to help their patients communicate better.

19. Helps you prioritize and break big tasks into simple steps.

Rubik’s Cube solvers face a variety of challenges and must formulate strategies to solve the puzzle. For this reason, they must analyze every move and plan everything out carefully. You must understand which steps to take first because they lead directly into the next, and if you make a minor error even, it is hard to retrace your steps.

20. The fun never ends.

Rubik’s Cubes will undoubtedly provide hours of entertainment, whether you solve them in seconds or days. There are 43 quintillion different combinations, so every scramble is unique. You won’t run out of things to do.

In closing

Did you know this three-dimensional puzzle could have all these benefits? 

We’ve listed a few benefits and advantages of solving Rubik’s Cubes, but there’s definitely more you can gain from this exciting toy. If you still haven’t tried to solve this puzzle, you should do it now. It might take you time and effort, but it will bring you a lot of joy, and you’ll end up with a sharper brain.

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This article was co-authored by our team of in-house and freelance writers, and reviewed by our editors, who enjoy sharing their knowledge about their favorite games with others!

JC Franco
Editor | + posts

JC Franco serves as a New York-based editor for Gamesver. His interest for board games centers around chess, a pursuit he began in elementary school at the age of 9. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Mercyhurst University, JC brings a blend of business acumen and creative insight to his role. Beyond his editorial endeavors, he is a certified USPTA professional, imparting his knowledge in tennis to enthusiasts across the New York City Metropolitan area.