The New England Journal of Medicine
Research from the New England Journal of Medicine found that playing board games, cards and participating in leisure activities can reduce the risk of dementia. The study’s conclusions indicated that participation in leisure activities is associated with a reduced risk of dementia, even after adjusting for baseline cognitive status and after excluding subjects with possible preclinical dementia. Vinkers DJ, Gussekloo J., Westendorp RGJ, Epstein EF, Verghese J., Kuslansky G., Lipton RB The incredible health benefits of this type of games for both adults and children. June 13, 2003. Retrieved May 16, 2009. (content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/348/25/2508)
Board games, cards and leisure activities
Participate in leisure activities and games; such as chess games, checkers games, backgammon games, Mah Jong games or card games like poker stimulate and challenge the brain. Keeping the brain active helps reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Children and Alzheimer’s/Dementia
Help your child start being a healthy older adult. Exercising your child’s brain now will not only help him in school, but also prepare him for the future. Playing a board game with the family will help your child develop problem-solving skills and logic.
stress reliever
Playing board or card games is a great stress reliever. Stress has been linked to Alzheimer’s and dementia. Relaxation releases a chemical in the brain that aids in brain development. As you age, the stress of your job, money, and many other factors block the area of your brain that requires the analytical thinking you get when you play table games and poker.
