Mahjong might be the most fun way to boost your brain
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I needed a specific tile for my hand. Within minutes, it was discarded by my opponent and taken out of play. Time for a new plan.
- Pivoting happens a lot in mahjong. It's also kind of the point.
Why it matters: Mahjong, the centuries-old Chinese game, isn't just trending. It's "one of the best things that you can do for your brain," says Gregg Swain, a historian of the game with a doctorate in clinical psychology.
- The game of tiles where players draw, discard and strategize toward a winning hand has long been a cherished pastime, first among Asian families, then Jewish communities.
- Now, 20-somethings are picking it up (myself included).
The big picture: Research supports the idea that mahjong is good for our brain health.
- A 2024 review of 53 studies found mahjong is linked to better cognitive and psychological outcomes in older adults — though researchers say more work is needed to understand exactly why.
- The game fires up strategic thinking, pattern recognition and memory, which can support healthy aging.
- Honing that ability to adapt — revising your plan based on every draw and discard — builds mental flexibility that psychologists link to better mental health.
Zoom in: As a remote worker, my favorite part of mahjong is the togetherness.
- My friends and I have gathered every Tuesday for the past year to play mahjong, marking birthdays, holidays and even an engagement along the way.
- Our phones get tossed to the side. There's no room to worry about anything else when you need to pay attention to the tiles.
- I've also noticed I make faster decisions since playing. Less overthinking. Instead of stressing over every sentence I write, I move on.
What's next: A new mahjong card drops this April, bringing fresh hands for players to master — and more practice at the art of pivoting.
