Believe it or not, bingo is a game that’s been around for almost 500 years.
It stems from a game called Lo Giuoco del Lotto D’Italia that was first played in Italy way back in 1530. And while it has evolved quite a bit over the last five centuries, bingo is a game that people still love every bit now as they did back then.
People enjoy playing bingo, first and foremost, because it’s fun. There is nothing quite like seeing and hearing the numbers that you have on your bingo card get called out.
But people have discovered that bingo is more than just fun. It’s also a game that is very good for you, regardless of whether you play it in person or play it online.
Here are six ways in which the game of bingo is good for you.
- Increases Socialization
When you play bingo, you spend a lot of time focusing on your own bingo cards. You don’t want to accidentally miss a number and lose out on the chance to yell “Bingo!”
But you also spend a lot of time chit-chatting with those around you. Bingo is a very social game that calls for people to communicate with one another a lot.
All of this socialization can work wonders for your physical and mental health. Reports have suggested that those who socialize early and often may lead longer and more fulfilling lives than those who don’t socialize as much as they should.
- Promotes Laughter
You know how people are always saying, “Laughter is the best medicine”? They’re right!
If you’re not laughing on a regular basis, you’re missing out on the chance to take advantage of the benefits that come along with laughing. Those who laugh a lot may:
- Give their immune system a big boost
- Relieve their chronic pain
- Improve their mood
There are some people who take bingo very seriously. A little too seriously if you ask us!
But there are also plenty of people who make it a point to have fun when they’re playing bingo. They laugh the whole time and feel better afterward because of it.
- Improves Cognitive Skills
In theory, it might not seem like bingo would provide your brain with much of a mental workout.
You sit and watch or listen to bingo numbers being called out and mark them down on a card. How difficult could it be?
But once you start playing bingo, you’ll find that your brain is always firing on all cylinders. This is especially true for those who play with multiple bingo cards at one time.
Over the years, studies have shown that playing bingo can sharpen your cognitive abilities and help you to think more effectively. You’ll often find that your problem-solving skills will improve and that you’ll turn yourself into someone who uses their brain better than ever before.
- Boosts Memory
Playing bingo once a week or so can do more than just improve your basic cognitive skills. Studies have also shown that it may give your memory a big boost and help you ward off dementia and other memory-related conditions.
It’s not difficult to see why that is. When you sit down with several bingo cards in front of you, you’ll put your memory skills to the test each and every time a bingo number is called. You’ll have to remember which cards have which numbers on them so that you can keep up.
Gradually, you can start to build up your memory and keep your mind sharp.
- Speeds Up Healing
If you’ve ever been forced to endure a hospital stay while healing from an illness, an injury, or surgery, you know how painful it can be. Lying down in a hospital bed for hours on end is one of the most boring things you’ll ever do in your life.
Oddly enough, it’s that boredom that can prevent your body from healing in a timely fashion. When you spend day after day after day in bed, it can take a toll on your body and mind and slow the healing process down in a big way.
Bingo and other games like it can serve as the solution to this problem. One study found that those who play bingo while they’re trying to heal their bodies might find that they heal quicker than they would otherwise.
There has been a lot of debate over why this is. But many people have argued that, by playing bingo and taking your mind off how bored and frustrated you are, you can give your body and mind a break and allow them to focus on healing.
- Heightens Happiness
Are you as happy as you think you should be? If not, playing bingo could go a long way towards increasing your happiness levels and making you a more pleasant person overall.
Many people who play bingo look forward to it in between bingo sessions and can’t wait to get back to it. The anticipation alone is enough to make these people feel happier all the time.
Give bingo a try and see what effect it has on your happiness. You could very well transform yourself into a happier person in no time with a little help from bingo.
Start Playing Bingo More Often From Now On
It doesn’t matter if you’re 10, 25, 50, 65, 80, or 100 years old! Playing bingo is for those of all ages.
Don’t wait until you’re old and gray to start playing bingo. You’ll miss out on so many benefits that you could have enjoyed throughout your life.
You can play bingo at one of the many bingo halls scattered throughout the country or get involved in a game of bingo online. Either way, you’ll love it from the moment you first sit down and will wonder why you didn’t start playing sooner.
Learn about other ways to improve your health by reading through the articles on our blog.