It is well known that bingo is a game enjoyed by many senior citizens and pensioners. Older residents on both sides of the Atlantic use bingo as a means for social interaction and an out of house social activity. Most older bingo players say they find the games and socializing very stimulating. For senior citizens, depression can be a debilitating illness limiting activities and seriously affecting health. For many years people suffering from depression were told to ‘get over’ it and ‘get on with their lives.’ Depression was not taken seriously and was not recognized as a ‘real’ illness. Recent research has shown that depression is caused by an imbalance of brain chemistry and is just as real an illness as heart disease. Depression can easily ruin a person’s life and some of the symptoms are a lack of sleep, lack of appetite and extreme lethargy. Depression can lead to relationship problems, job loss, and severe financial problems. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide.
Nowadays most symptoms of depression can be treated with various anti depressants, but there are other ways that people have found to cope with depression—like bingo! Several studies have already pointed out that bingo, both internet bingo games and land-based bingo, can slow the onset of Alzheimer’s and can promote general mental health and agility. Anyone who has seen a pensioner at a bingo club playing several bingo cards simultaneously knows that a great deal of mental activity is involved in playing several bingo cards at once.
Some people suffering from depression are reluctant to leave their homes and online bingo can help these people overcome their reluctance to socialize. Almost all online bingo sites have chat rooms where players can meet, form friendships and bond. The increased social contact has been shown to help those suffering from depression and gives them an increased sense of self worth. In an interview with a British newspaper, a woman said that bingo was instrumental in helping her overcome her depression. A close friend took her to a local bingo game and the effects were almost immediate and now the woman is a regular bingo player and is no longer clinically depressed. Internet bingo has been beneficial to many suffering from depression, especially with the exciting bingo promotions and bingo bonuses that are being offered, which could very well result in a better mood. Online bingo is a fantastic option for those who are reluctant to leave their homes and can be a helpful addition to treatment with anti depressants.
