Listen to this article:Playing bingo at a venue or top online bingo sites might not be the first activity that comes to mind when thinking of ways to prolong your life. It is more usual to receive recommendations about exercise and diet. However, a number of studies have found that bingo could play a surprising and important role in extending your lifespan.
Research indicates that activities involving social interaction, cognitive stimulation, and enjoyable leisure, such as bingo, can offer real health benefits to older adults.
Thomas Glass, a professor at Harvard University’s School of Public Health, conducted a study examining different categories of activities, fitness, social, and productive, and their impact on lifespan. Fitness activities included exercise such as swimming and walking. Productive activities consisted of everyday tasks such as gardening, shopping, and cooking. Social activities covered group interactions, including playing bingo, cards, and attending the cinema or community events.
Interestingly, results published in the Lancet medical journal suggested that regular social engagement, such as this game, provided comparable longevity benefits to traditional fitness routines.
One of the reasons why bingo stands out is its blend of cognitive, physical, and social stimulation. Cognitive health can benefit from the structured engagement and memory demands involved in playing bingo. One research project compared the benefits of daily walking and regular bingo play.
Researchers found that participants who played regularly displayed improved concentration, enhanced memory recall, and better short-term memory than their walking counterparts. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, regular participation in stimulating activities can help reduce the risk of developing cognitive decline and dementia symptoms, conditions that affect millions globally. With Alzheimer’s disease cases rising significantly, they are expected to double by 2060 as more people are focusing on prioritising their brain health.
Playing bingo can prolong your life, but that isn’t the only benefits of the game are not limited to cognitive improvements. Recently, the game has been combined with physical activity to create “Bingocise” or similar programs. For example, one such program required participants to take part in a mixture of bingo and targeted exercises over ten weeks. The result was impressive, not only did cognitive function improve, but participants also demonstrated noticeable improvements in physical metrics, such as better muscle strength, cardiovascular fitness, and lower blood pressure.
This approach demonstrated that incorporating physical movement, even lightly, with enjoyable social games such as bingo can be very beneficial for older people’s overall health.
Social interaction is another core benefit of taking part in regular bingo games. Human beings are inherently social, and isolation can harm health. The communal aspect of the game provides a sense of belonging and emotional well-being. Anthropological fieldwork conducted at Hollenbeck Palms, a retirement community in Los Angeles, starkly demonstrated this. Residents played bingo every Wednesday, and their engagement during these sessions was impressive. During other activities, residents sometimes lost interest or even dozed off, yet during bingo sessions, they remained alert and focused, and fully absorbed in the game.
Bingo is dismissed by many as a frivolous pursuit, as people tend to think that worthwhile activities should involve discipline and skill rather than luck. Furthermore, there is a stigma surrounding gambling. However, dismissing bingo is a mistake as it overlooks its proven health benefits. The game’s combination of mental alertness, social interaction, and simple physical involvement offers all-round stimulation that is particularly beneficial for seniors.
It’s also important to remember that bingo’s cognitive and social benefits extend beyond physical halls. Studies suggest that playing bingo online can deliver similar advantages in regard to memory recall and social connectedness, which demonstrates that the positive effects aren’t restricted by physical location.
With people living longer than ever before, finding enjoyable and beneficial activities is becoming increasingly important. The United States alone is predicting an increase from one million to ten million people over 90 years old by 2050. Activities such as bingo, accessible both in-person and online, provide practical solutions to maintaining health and well-being into advanced age.
While the game alone is not a solution, its widespread popularity and the evidence supporting its benefits suggest it’s a valuable addition to strategies aimed at ageing healthily. Encouraging older adults to engage in social games such as bingo may improve life longevity. Rather than being just a bit of fun, bingo’s role in boosting cognitive abilities, physical health, and social engagement makes it a surprisingly effective and enjoyable way to stay healthy and active throughout retirement.
We do not sell or share your information with anyone. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Latest
