Last year, my grandmother passed away. Although we weren’t very close, her decline due to dementia was deeply affecting, especially for my father, who cared for her tirelessly. By the end, she couldn’t remember his name, mine, or even her own past. Dementia had turned her mind into a prison. This experience made me reflect on how vital it is to keep the brain active. While many think of cancer as one of the worst illnesses, diseases of the mind can be equally devastating.
After her passing, I turned to Sudoku for solace and consistency. I’ve always loved Sudoku, but now it’s become more than a pastime—it’s a daily ritual. Solving at least one puzzle a day feels like a small step toward keeping my mind sharp and healthy.
Why is Sudoku Good for Me?
Sudoku is a puzzle game played on a 9×9 grid with simple yet engaging rules:
- Each row must contain the numbers 1-9 without repetition.
- Each column must contain the numbers 1-9 without repetition.
- Each 3×3 subgrid must also contain the numbers 1-9 without repetition.
My love for Sudoku started when my mom bought me my first puzzle book. It was a simple one, but I didn’t know how to solve it at first. She patiently taught me, and I fell in love with the logic and structure of the game. Later, as I began my career as a software developer, one of my first personal projects was creating a simple Sudoku generator. It felt like coming full circle, combining my passion for puzzles with my technical skills.
Benefits of Sudoku for Brain Health
My dedication to Sudoku stems from its incredible benefits, particularly in preventing cognitive decline. I don’t want to forget the faces and names of my loved ones or lose the beautiful memories I cherish. Sudoku feels like a small but meaningful defense against such fears. Here are some proven benefits:
- Improves Cognitive Skills and Memory: Sudoku requires you to remember numbers, positions, and strategies, which strengthens memory and logical thinking.
- Reduces Stress: Solving puzzles provides a mental escape and promotes relaxation.
- Improves Concentration: Staying focused on a puzzle enhances your attention span.
- Promotes Problem-Solving Skills: It trains you to approach challenges methodically, a skill useful in everyday life.
- May Help Prevent Cognitive Decline: Keeping the brain active with puzzles may reduce the risk of conditions like Alzheimer’s or dementia.
- Enhances Mood: Completing a puzzle releases dopamine, boosting your sense of accomplishment and happiness.
- Encourages Patience: Solving Sudoku teaches perseverance, as finding the correct solution often requires trial and error.
My Engineering Project for 2025
Last year, I completed four personal projects:
- A full-stack Sudoku application.
- A backend with an admin interface for a Dinosaurs app.
- A microservice-based application.
- A task manager application.
This year, I’m setting a new challenge for myself. I want to design and build an advanced Sudoku platform with user registration and social networking features. While I already have a Sudoku application, I’ve learned so much about the game—from interesting solving tricks to user-friendly design—that I’m eager to apply it to a more sophisticated project. And, of course, my deeper motivation remains the same: to prevent cognitive decline and keep my mind sharp.
Conclusion
January is the perfect month for new beginnings. This year, I’m diving into a project that not only sharpens my engineering skills but also aligns with my passion for Sudoku and cognitive health. Through this journey, I hope to inspire others to find joy in puzzles while nurturing their mental well-being.
Do you love Sudoku too? Share your favorite strategies or stories in the comments!
[…] I embarked on a new journey: building an advanced Sudoku application featuring a social network and a user dashboard. This marks my first engineering project and an […]