Health Benefits of Dance

I want to talk to you about dance. I cannot do many forms of “exercise” due to my crazy body! But, I can dance. Well ok if you saw me you would get a great belly workout from laughing at my “dancing”. 

I started yesterday an actual 30-day dance challenge and I wanted to tell you the health benefits to dance. 

Studies show that dance can help you lose weight, stay flexible, reduce stress, make friends, and more. Here, read more about the feel-good boosts from getting your groove on. 

Boost Memory

Dance not only instills grace, but it also helps you age gracefully. According to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine, dancing may boost your memory and prevent you from developing dementia as you get older. Science reveals that aerobic exercise can reverse volume loss in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls memory. The hippocampus naturally shrinks during late adulthood, which often leads to impaired memory and sometimes dementia.

Improve Flexibility

Those plies and arabesques that ballet dancers practice aren’t just for aesthetics — they also increase flexibility and reduce stiffness. You can skip the ballet slippers and still reap the benefits of ballet by practicing some simple stretches at home. Increasing your flexibility will help ease joint pain and post-exercise soreness.

Reduce Stress (FIND THAT JOY!) 

If you’re feeling tense or stressed out, you might want to grab a partner, turn up the music, and tango! In a controlled study in the Journal of Applied Gerontology, researchers found that partner dance and musical accompaniment can help bring about stress relief.

Diminish Depression

Dancing really does lift your spirits, according to a study in that tested the effects of dancing on people with depression. Patients who participated in an upbeat group dance showed the fewest depression symptoms and the most vitality. Got the blues? Grab a friend and go out dancing tonight.

Great for Heart Health 

Dance is a great activity for those at risk for cardiovascular disease. People with heart failure who took up waltzing improved their heart health, breathing, and quality of life significantly compared to those who biked or walked on a treadmill for exercise, noted an Italian study.

and well you know Lose Weight

Bored with your bicycle or can’t bike? A study in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that an exercise program of aerobic dance training is just as helpful for losing weight and increasing aerobic power as cycling and jogging.

Balance Better

If you are nervous about falling as you get older, some dance lessons might help ease your worries, according to a study in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity that showed tango dancing can improve balance in aging adults. Dancing requires a lot of fast movement and good posture, so frequent dancing will help you stabilize and gain better control of your body.

Increase Energy

Can’t seem to find your get-up-and-go? Taking a dance class might help. Research published in The Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition found that a weekly dance program could improve physical performance and increase energy levels among adults.

What are you waiting for? Start reaping the many health benefits of dance today.

How do I do it?

Well, I am doing the Body Groove On-Demand 30 day program. I can stream any video from their library to my smart TV. If I am not home, I can have access to all the workout videos and workshops on any computer, tablet, smartphone, or smart TV. As long as I can log in I can GROOVE!

{I am not an affiliate, I do not make money talking about them.}

I pay a small monthly fee and I love it. 

I am feeling it but you know what it’s a GOOD FEEL! I am alive and my muscles are remembering that they are too!