Dance Your Way to Better Health
Dancing is excellent exercise, and it’s also fun. There’s no age limit to dancing, and it’s completely customizable. There’s no need to make exercise miserable to reap benefits!
Here are some of the benefits of dancing for your health, and some suggestions on how to incorporate dancing into your everyday life.
Benefits of Dancing
Dancing is a weight-bearing exercise, like walking, so it helps build your bones in addition to strengthening muscles. Here are some specific benefits to consider.
1. Cardiovascular health
When you get your heart rate up, your dance routine kicks in to start giving your heart a good workout. There’s little debate that regular workouts where your heart rate stays up are excellent for cardiovascular health.
2. Total body workout
Depending on the kind of dancing you take up, you may discover muscles you didn’t know you had. Dancing uses your whole body, and can even target certain areas for toning (such as with belly dancing).
3. Mental benefits
Studies have shown that dancing actually sharpens your mind! Older adults who took dance classes twice a week for six months exhibited better memory and cognitive function. In fact, studies have even found that people who take dance classes are less likely to develop dementia. This might be because dancing requires you to remember moves and learn new ones, and put them together in a coordinated presentation.
Dancing lifts your mood and boosts your confidence. It gives you a sense of accomplishment, too.
4. Social benefits
Dancing is usually done in classes and groups, so you get the opportunity to socialize and make friends. And when you get to see your friends at dance class, you’re more motivated to go.
5. Immune system boost
Did you know that exercise stimulates the immune system? Studies have shown that exercise increases antibodies, and it also raises your body temperature, helping to kill bacteria.
Types of Dancing
What kind of dancing should you do? Choose something that you really like that fits your style. Many dance classes and dance-based exercise routines are based on a certain style, but they are not strictly that style.
For example, ballet-based dancing may include interpretive dance and other ballet-like moves. Ballroom dancing encompasses various dance routines like waltzes. A belly-dance based routine strengthens core muscles and tones targeted areas of the body.
Here are some of the more popular kinds of dance-based exercise.
1. Jazzercise incorporates cardio and toning.
2. Zumba is also a cardio workout that you can do in a class or at home (or both).
3. Belly dancing is an ancient form of dance that is not just for the young. It’s also a cardio workout that promotes flexibility and coordination.
4. Salsa dancing requires a partner, and might be a great chance for a couple to do something fun and healthy together.
Dancing is one of those rare activities that is fun and healthy. Maybe you can find a class in your community and sign up!