Can’t remember a phone number? Forgot what to get at the grocery store? The fear that our memory is slipping or eroding is on the minds of most people. One has two choices; either to live with that fear every day or choose to fight it at every opportunity.
The speed at which the brain processes information slows down with age. However, Professor Marian Diamond, director of Lawrence Hall of Science at Berkeley University, in a major discovery, believes that “with proper stimulation, the brain can continue to develop at any age has revolutionized our thinking about aging by emphasizing the importance of growth and learning throughout life.”
When asked whether she thought that learning to play bridge would constitute stimulation, Diamond replied, “Absolutely. Learning any new hobby and continuing the education process will stimulate the brain and the game of bridge would be a fun way to do it.”
For many years, Diamond has been enthusiastically promoting her “use it or lose it” theory, encouraging her students to remain active, mentally as well as physically, for the rest of their lives.
The first line of attack should be to let your doctor determine that you are physically healthy. A poor memory could be the result of a recent illness or even depression that sometimes can be treated medicinally. The next key step to improving your memory is to pick out a certain activity that involves learning.
Bridge has been proven to increase memory and concentration skills and helps to develop improved judgment and logic. It is low in cost and will help increase your social opportunities, providing you with the chance to meet other people, travel, make new friends with whom to attend social functions and more. You will have so much fun you won’t even remember that it’s actually good for you. Painless memory therapy – what a concept!
The Long Beach Bridge Club is offering four free Easybridge lessons to introduce you to this fabulous pastime. The lessons are for beginners and people returning to bridge after some years, or social players who want to learn modern bridge. It will be held on Saturday afternoons, starting May 10 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Easybridge Books are provided free for the first four weeks as well.
Students will be playing bridge their very first day and meeting other players in the community. These lessons are open to everyone at any age, so friends and family can all learn together. Free parking and refreshments will be provided.
The Long Beach Bridge Center is located at 4782 Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach. To register or for more information, call (562) 498-8113.
