In this day and age, we don’t have a lot of opportunities to get exercise as we go about our day. Most of us have jobs that involve sitting in front of a computer screen for what seems like an eternity. So even though we don’t do much physically, by the time we go home we’re mentally exhausted. We just collapse on to the couch, trying to talk ourselves into getting up in a little while so we can do at least part of our chores.
Dancing has always had a way of taking your cares away. Haven’t you ever lost yourself in a song or started moving to an upbeat, catchy rhythm without realizing it? With the number of people watching competitive dance shows like So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars, it’s pretty obvious that we have a natural fondness for how this “language” expresses emotion. It’s just that we like to watch other people express it while we’re sitting.
Well here’s an idea: you could try replacing the gym which, let’s be honest, most days just feel like yet another chore, with some fun dance classes. It’s far more engaging and you’ll never feel awkward at a party or in a club again! Time to get your groove on!
Helps You Manage Your Weight
Dancing involves the use of every muscle group which means you’re building up muscle tone. There’s a reason why professional dancers look like they’re in such great shape. But don’t worry, it doesn’t mean you need to be pro. Even at the beginning, when you’re not doing very complex movements, you still learn good posture which strengthens your core muscles.
Most people go to the gym to lose or maintain their weight and dancing is a fantastic way to shed off those extra pounds. Because you’re engaging several muscle groups at the same time, you don’t have to remember it’s leg day and the music keeps you motivated. You won’t feel like you’re getting bored and tired as you might with other workouts.
Gentle on Your Body
If you have health problems that limit your mobility there are lots of dance styles such as the Waltz, Tango or Foxtrot which require gentler movements. You can talk to your instructor and they’ll adapt the routine to your needs.
In fact, dancing is great for improving flexibility and the strength of your joints. There are programs that cater to this directly, just go on YouTube and look it up. Craig Revel Horwood, a judge on Strictly Come Dancing and patron of the Royal Osteoporosis Society has a video that explains how dance routines can improve the health of your joints and bones.
One study published in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity examined the physical benefits of dancing for healthy older adults and found it improves their flexibility and balance, increases their agility and muscle endurance, as well as reduces the risk of falls and developing cardiovascular disease. This brings us to our next point.
Dancing Is Great for the Cardiovascular System
Cardiorespiratory training is an important part of a dancer’s physical training because they need to build up the stamina to get through their choreography and maintain proper technique. Your cardiovascular endurance depends on the ability of your lungs and heart to deliver oxygen to your muscles for long periods of time.
Taking dance lessons routinely results in strengthening your cardiovascular system and lowering your chance of developing related health issues. As your endurance increases, your muscles are also becoming more toned and you become a better dancer. You’re lowering the risk of heart disease, burning fat and building lean muscle, all in one. Not bad, right?
Memory Boost
The effect dancing has on the cardiovascular system also means more oxygenated blood gets delivered to your brain. The movements and routines you learn and practice as well as having to pay attention to cues from music so you can sync your movements creates new neural pathways. This helps keep your mind sharp.
Another study published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience focuses on the benefits dancing has on the aging brain. They found that older adults who engage in regular physical exercise have a higher volume in the hippocampus, the region of the brain linked to spatial orientation, learning and memory consolidation. Dancing, in particular, showed promising results like improved neuroplasticity, reversing the effects of aging on the brain and reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Stress and Mental Health
We all have to deal with stress in our lives, and we’re all too familiar with its effects: insomnia, anxiety, feeling drained, having trouble concentrating, getting headaches, etc. Stress doesn’t just affect our minds. Digestive issues, tense neck, and shoulder muscles are just a few of the symptoms that show how leading stressful lives takes a toll on our overall health.
Dancing is very effective in reducing these effects as it requires you to stay in the moment and focus on what you’re doing. This pulls you away from the constant worrying and ruminating that can lead to developing depression. It’s a very healthy way to have fun and forget about your troubles for an hour or so. You may show up for class feeling down but you leave with a big smile on your face!
As with any form of exercise, dancing makes your body release endorphins that will improve your mood, the quality of your sleep and with time make you more resilient to stress. You could just lift weight or do cardio but will that help you impress a potential date with your moves?
Plus, unlike going to the gym, you get more opportunity to befriend the people you’re exercising with. You’re developing together, you see them messing up their steps just like you did so you all become less critical of yourselves and each other. This has a positive impact on your level of confidence. Since they meet every week, most groups start going to clubs together because regular people can no longer keep up with their skills. This means you get to expand your social circle.
