NZ Herald Article 7th March

Bridging the gap: Why playing bridge is good for you ... and fun

A recent major study has revealed that playing bridge keeps people smarter, happier and more social into old age.

It used to be accepted that as you got older, your brain power faded.

But research in recent years has showed there are a variety of things you can do to stave off that process - learning a new language or playing an instrument, doing the crossword, making new friends are among some of them - and one of the newest discoveries is that the card game bridge can also help.

A recent major study by the University of Stirling, Scotland, has revealed that playing bridge keeps people smarter, happier and more social into old age. The study also indicated that people who play bridge have higher levels of well being than those who don't. In addition the game and its social environment has the potential to maintain good health, through increased positive cognitive, social and quality of life outcomes.