Wear comfortable clothes because it’s time to dance! Yes, you’ve read that right! Although dancing is generally considered a recreational activity, limited to weddings and parties, it is much more than that. Dancing has many benefits for physical and mental health, as well as social well-being.
Another important feature of dance is that all you need is your body; in other words, no fancy equipment, no ballrooms, no fancy trainers. A little space and your favorite music is all you need!
Whether you like ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap or just moving around your living room, here are some reasons why dancing is good for you.
-
Dancing Makes You Sweat
In general, many ways of dancing can be considered low-impact cardiovascular exercise. However, just because it is “low impact” doesn’t mean it won’t make you sweat!
Dancing is considered a low-impact exercise because many dance styles have a very low impact on the joints; but beyond that, dancing can actually give you more than a cardiovascular workout.
Many dance styles activate multiple muscle groups at once, while improving your endurance, flexibility, coordination and balance.
However, in order to work up a sweat, you need to put in some effort. If your dance style falls between 5 and 7 on a 1-10 effort scale, you’ll definitely get a good cardio session!
If you feel like the treadmill isn’t for you, dancing is the best way to get your body moving, burn calories and shed pounds while having fun!
-
Improve Your Balance and Coordination
If you’ve ever seen a professional dancer dance, you’ve probably noticed their incredible sense of balance and body control. One of the main reasons why dancing is good for your health is that it can help you increase your balance, improve your coordination and improve the way you move your body.
Studies have shown that dancing improves seniors’ balance, walking speed, reaction time and cognitive performance. Many dance styles, including tango, ballroom, jazz, folk, ballet and contemporary, are known to promote balance and coordination.
-
Instantly Lift Your Mood
Have you ever put on your favorite music and started dancing with all your might? I’m sure you felt great after doing so!
Moving your body to the beat of the music is a proven way to reduce stress and release endorphins.
Dancing is the only physical activity that has the ability to dispel anxiety, depression and stress; even if it’s only for a few minutes, dancing makes you feel refreshed and energized.
Take control of your emotions by dancing; after all, it’s a form of expression that can help you improve your self-esteem and well-being.
-
It Helps You Build Stamina
Taking dance classes as exercise is one of the best things you can do to build your stamina. By performing any type of dance, many of the muscles involved work simultaneously, which helps promote your health and physical performance.
In addition, dancing has been shown to help strengthen bones, as aerobic movements help keep them dense. This is why dancing is a great way to prevent the development of diseases such as osteoporosis.
-
Keep Your Mind Active
Learning an entire dance routine is not something to be underestimated! Learning and memorizing a routine (even a simple one) usually takes a lot of time and effort. Learning over 100 different steps in one routine is a challenge for even the most skilled dancers.
Unlike many other cardiovascular exercises that involve repeating a single movement (like running, for example), dancing can be much more technical. As a result, dance has become an activity known to promote mental agility, acuity and memory.
Developing a love of dance can also help you develop an interest in other aspects of your life, and raising your self-esteem can lead to increased independence. So sign up for a dancing class today! Meanwhile, what’s your favorite hobby until now? Share it with us in the comments below.
Leave a Reply