How (not) to solve sudoku puzzles | Annabel Gardner | TEDxCanterbury School Youth

Core Argument - The speech explores the speaker's personal relationship with Sudoku, from childhood to adulthood, and how it served as a coping mechanism for intrusive thoughts and emotional distress [1][10][14][16] - It connects the methodical process of solving Sudoku puzzles to research on the benefits of visually demanding puzzle games like Tetris in reducing intrusive memories and PTSD symptoms [11][12][13] - The speaker advocates for the value of slowing down and engaging in activities that require focused attention as a way to find peace and manage overwhelming thoughts, even in a fast-paced world [19][22] Psychological and Cognitive Aspects - Research suggests visually demanding puzzle games occupy mental resources, limiting the brain's capacity to process and store traumatic visual memories [11][12] - Repetitive tasks like Sudoku can create a meditative state, providing a rhythmic and predictable focus for an overwhelmed nervous system [17] - Sudoku is described as "thinking without thinking," freeing the mind and providing a manageable task to focus on during times of emotional distress [15][16] Personal Anecdotes and Experiences - The speaker shares personal stories about learning Sudoku from her father and using it as a distraction in middle school [1][17] - The speaker recounts a traumatic experience of losing classmates and how a teacher's offering of a Sudoku puzzle provided a coping mechanism [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] - The speaker reflects on how the methodical counting in Sudoku helped her manage intrusive images and emotions [14][16] Social Commentary - The speech critiques the modern emphasis on optimization and efficiency, particularly as exemplified by platforms like LinkedIn [18] - It suggests that sometimes the "wrong way" or the "slow way" of doing something can be more valuable for mental well-being [19] - The speaker encourages the audience to find their own version of "counting to nine," whether it's knitting, washing dishes, or other focused activities [20]