Healthy Aging: Brain

Over the past year and a half, I’ve taken up a new challenge: learning the

game of duplicate bridge. It’s a steep learning curve, but the rewards have

been incredible—not just mentally, but socially too.

Recently, a study out of Stanford highlighted something fascinating:

learning bridge after age 60 may be one of the most effective ways to

maintain cognitive health. It turns out that games like Sudoku or crossword

puzzles—which we could breeze through in our 30s—don’t stimulate the

brain in the same way as more complex, strategic activities like bridge.

Why? Because bridge demands memory, logic, attention, problem-solving,

and partnership—all at once. It keeps the brain working hard while keeping

the heart connected to others through social interaction.

Today, I’ll be sitting across the table from one of my favorite bridge

partners—an octogenarian card shark whose goal is to reach Diamond Life

Master before she turns 90. I have no doubt the combination of social

connection and cognitive challenge is keeping her sharp, engaged, and

thriving.

If you’re local, I highly recommend checking out the Wickham Park Senior

Center, where bridge lessons are available for beginners and improvers

alike. It’s a great place to learn, meet others, and keep your mind razor-

sharp.

It’s never too late to learn something new—especially when it can protect

your most valuable asset: your mind.

-Dr. Rebecca Hunton