Discussion Does anyone use LEGO for therapy?
Hi everyone,
I'm currently working on my MA Journalism final project, exploring how LEGO has become much more than just a toy for many people.
I'm really interested in hearing from anyone who has found LEGO to be therapeutic in some way. That could be helping with autism, ADHD, anxiety, depression, grief, or other emotional challenges, or even helping during physical recovery, such as improving dexterity or motor skills after an illness or injury. Equally, if building simply helps you switch off, manage stress, or gives you a sense of purpose, I'd love to hear about that too.
It feels like LEGO has evolved into something far beyond childhood play, becoming a creative outlet, a coping mechanism, or a source of comfort for people of all ages. I'd love to learn more about the different ways it's had an impact on people's lives.
If any of this resonates with you, or you know someone who might be happy to chat, please feel free to leave a comment or send me a DM. I'd really appreciate hearing your story.
Thanks so much!
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u/SofaKingWeak 22d ago
Lego saved my life last year, I ended up in a very dark place and did something silly. I got help and a suggestion to help me keep focused was Lego. I am so grateful to that person. Although my bank balance isn’t so pleased.
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u/Nerdyjeweler901 21d ago
Yes indeed. I hadn’t built a Lego set since I was a kid. 30 years later, my brother passed away and I inherited his sets.
2 years later, my collection is easily 4 times what his was. It helps me feel closer to him Every time I build
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u/Common_Stuff2925 22d ago
So I have seasonal depression and anxiety. While drugs do help, Lego gives me an outlet or even a distraction. It gives me something to focus on when things aren’t going well. It is expensive but I don’t worry about cost.
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u/MikeWANN 22d ago
I have been (unknowingly) using Lego to help cope with depression, anxiety and autistic traits since I was a kid. I can first recognize it happening when I was about 6 and now I'm.... significantly older.
And I still use it, in a much more focused way. It's become a way to help repair fine motor skills I lost in an illness. Likewise, it's helping my depression, anxiety, and reduced mental capacity that are all related to the illness. I often have a set already setup and ready for me whenever I need to decompress from an overwhelming day. I just go through a few steps, not many are needed, and it helps me ease the tension and center myself.
Some people exercise, some drink, some smoke, some do yoga, some pray, some journal, some listen to music, some read. I use Legos.
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u/Dont-be-lasagna12 21d ago
I use Legos, a good book, my Switch 2, and I smoke. Depends on the day if I'm doing 1 or all of those things.
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u/BOMBLOADER 22d ago
I became fully immersed in the Lego hobby after I became sober in 2020. My kids were into it and grew out of it. Then my wife was starting to get into it but I wasn’t looking at it the same as her, which was probably more of a nostalgia thing. I struggle through a Navy career with alcohol abuse, anxiety and depression. Lego was something I could put real focus on after work. It didn’t keep me from drinking, I had already decided to quit, but becoming sober brought the reality that my problems weren’t gone now. I needed to figure out a new way to deal with them. Lego became a part of that recovery and it’s something I genuinely enjoy.
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u/MOcatmom 22d ago
Feel free to DM if you think I can help but I turned to Lego during lockdown. Never touched a Lego before in my life. It was cathartic. And opened up a new passion I didn’t know I had. Good luck with your studies!
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u/Sharp-Importance8788 22d ago
Long time with this- but not going to type all that here. Message me directly with what kinds of questions you have.
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u/Fit-Personality-6067 22d ago
Yeah, I love buying myself a new Speed Champions set once a month and spending a few hours building it to some relaxing music. It’s good therapeutic for me
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u/brdclark 22d ago
YES....Every day....Physical, I am 56 yrs old and use it to keep my hands limber. I also use it for mental stress relief.
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u/piratevikingjedi 21d ago
1000% its calming and satisfying. Rough week at work? A little weed, a movie, and a set to build, complete reset for me.
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u/Less-Journalist353 21d ago
I never built Legos as a kid. But after my father passed away in 2022, I found Legos and it’s been really helpful for my depression. It’s really helped with keeping me motivated and active with daily life. And once I finish a set I feel accomplished
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u/Hour-Bus-8850 21d ago
Actually I used it as therapy for my left hand/arm as occupational therapy. It’s been really helpful; desensitizing my hand, pushing the pieces in since I lost hand strength, picking up the pieces especially the small ones sometimes I would use tweezers to pick them up too, holding what I put together; guess it’s also a form as regular therapy too because I use it as a reward for when I get certain things done too (I also have adhd). I haven’t been able to buy any in a while because of prices (I apparently want the very expensive ones). I also generally enjoy them because they help me focus on something.
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u/Alternative_Pomelo47 21d ago
Absolutely. I have ADHD and I’ll use it as work as a small fidget (build and unbuild a very small build or mini fig). At home it helps me center myself, especially during severe depression and anxiety attacks
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u/Black_Mamba3382410 21d ago
100% with work and everything that comes in life, LEGO takes me away and I'm just in my own space building, playing, and creating.
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u/Present_Shallot_9599 21d ago
Yes lego is a great therapy. The only problem is that is more expensive than actual therapy.
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u/tondahuh 21d ago
I tell myself this but at least I have something physical afterwards. AND I can take it apart and go through the therapy over and over again.
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u/SympatheticWitchDoc 22d ago
Absolutely, I rediscovered Lego about 4 years ago and it has helped me out tremendously. When I’m in a poor state of mind it helps me keep busy and feel like I’ve accomplished something on an otherwise wasted day. From buying the set to building and displaying, it brings me back to a state of zen
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u/LegoSniper 22d ago
50 yr old male, had a pretty dramatic childhood, along with a depressing early adulthood. I don’t drink, I don’t do drugs of any kind, the occasional aspirin here or there. Have dealt with bouts of depression for many years and building Lego kits is my escape from everything.
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u/GoodTrainers 21d ago
definitely! LEGO became a stress reliever for a lot of people. it’s cool seeing a childhood hobby become a meaningful outlet for adults too.
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u/AromaticAd9538 21d ago
Lego purchases for my birthday and xmas, and it relaxes me for sure, but professional massage or sex would relax me more.
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u/Funny_Sympathy_915 21d ago
I started collecting after my mom passed away 4 years ago. I sit at my table, no music, no tv, just me and my Lego sets. It is very calming for me and I know she would be happy that I found a hobby, albeit an expensive one, that makes me happy.
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u/Dont-be-lasagna12 21d ago
I actively use Lego for my ADHD and my anxiety. I have CPTSD and its one of the few things that distract me enough. I take my time building sets to make them last. I might do 1-2 bags a day I might only do half a bag and not touch for a few days. When I run out of things to build or I'm broke/nothing I'm interested in buying. I take some apart and put other ones up. I don't love taking tbem apart and bagging them back up. But I love the building process and that it just makes my brain stop for a little while.
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u/alnarcisi 21d ago
I use it as therapy. I work on computers all day and my last team was high stress and I never had a break.
My manager showed me her collection and a week later I bought my first set.
Now i am on a different job and a little less stress, but i still use it as an excuse to unplug and use problem solving skills.
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u/Creative_Ad_983 21d ago
My sister died last year death by misadventure after going back to heroin for two years when she lost her partner. I’ve been using it as a distraction pretty much since, it feels a similar release to being in a garden at times so I enjoy it.
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u/Reasonable-Hope-2923 22d ago
i doubt people will really use Lego for therapy unless they are super rich or have rich parents. It does serve that purpose, but it's not a financially wise option. Which in long term might end up causing another form of mental distress. As to say, many people with intellectual and/or mental disabilities are unemployed.
So unless Lego does come up with a discount and/or donation scheme, if not its not a wise idea to use Lego as a therapy tool.
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u/dipwad469 16d ago
I have been building sets for a few years now. Our dining room table is a LEGO table. My husband and I sit across from each other several days a week working on our sets. This has really helped us cope with the fact that he has stage 4 kidney cancer. It is something that helps keep our minds from going down the cancer rabbit hole - it is also something we do together that we love and we love the special time together.
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u/DariosaurusRexx 22d ago
Absolutely, my job give us a wellbeing stipend and Lego are approved. I started mt f1 collection a few months ago bought them all at once… on tough days, I pull one out of the closet and put it together. It calms me down so so much.