Health Benefits Of Dancing

Forget what your friends said about your two left feet and just dance. Move to the beat, learn new steps, listen to your body, let your body flow with the musical tones.

Dancing is important: it captivates people, and it unites. But did you know that dance is beneficial to your body, beyond being a tool for socialization? Dancing is one of nature’s gifts to us, and it brings with it immense happiness and joy.

·         Dancing is a great mental escape

Struggling with depression or anxiety or you’re just unable to stop rumination? Do you feel that your mind gets the best of you, taking you down a dark, inescapable rabbit hole? Dance.

Dancing gives you a mental break, and it gives your brain the escape it craves. It beats that TV show you know every word of. A study revealed that dancing leaves you with more energy, and it eases the tension build up in your body and mind. Like the ‘runners high’ the rhythmic movements of dance trigger the brain to release the feel-good neurochemicals/ hormones – endorphins.

Dance is also a great hobby that allows you to concentrate on yourself. It quiets the brain.

·         Dancing improves neuroplasticity

You never stop learning, and your brain has a high affinity for learning new things than you think. All you have to do is to expose your brain. Through neuroplasticity, the brain forms new connections through new brain cells and new neural pathways. The new cells keep you active, and they also reduce your risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s. Dancing has also been shown to boost cognitive function and cognitive flexibility.

All these neuroplasticity benefits of dancing come from the fact that dancing will stimulate the release of BDNF or brain-derived neurotrophic factor. BDNF is the protein responsible for the maintenance, growth, and the plasticity of your neurons. These processes result in better memory and learning.

·         It’s a great cardiovascular workout

If you spoke to any Beauty PR expert, you’d learn beyond the cosmetics and the beauty enhancement processes, physical activity is critical to good health. If you’ve not had the courage or the strength to hit the gym for years, why not start at home with simple dance routines? Dance is great for your cardiovascular health, and you don’t have to worry about having the right equipment.

And depending on the type of dancing you take up; you often end up working all your muscle groups, while boosting your respiratory system. On top of it all, you also enhance your balance through dance. So, if you’ve been putting off the bachata or salsa dance classes recommend to you by your best friend, now sounds like the perfect time to take them up on their offer.

·         Dancing enhances balance and coordination

One in every four adults over 65 suffers a fall, every year and millions of teens and children suffer different injuries playing sports. While sports accidents and falls sound unrelated, they have a common cause – poor balance. Dancing helps with this. The dancing techniques you learn encourage body awareness while encouraging low-impact landings. Perhaps it’s time we started dancing more to avoid ACL tears.

Finally, dancing knows no age limit.