There are many beneficial reasons why you should get up and dance! Click here to learn all about the health benefits of dancing.
Our society is constantly talking about how we all need to get in shape and kick our unhealthy habits. They’re not wrong. Statistically speaking, there are more Americans who are overweight or obese than there are healthy Americans.
However, with busy lives, excessive work schedules, and a family to tend to, who wants to spend their free time in a gym? If you find yourself in that category, perhaps its time you start learning about the many health benefits of dancing.
Most people, either openly or secretly, love to dance. However, what they don’t realize is that cutting loose and dancing is a great way to keep healthy – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Therefore, when the mood strikes you, don’t hold back!
Keep reading for an in-depth look at all the ways dancing can improve your health.
The Health Benefits of Dancing
As we suggested above, the health benefits of dancing transcend the obvious physical fitness perks. In fact, there are probably just as many non-physical perks to regularly dancing as there are physical.
Let’s start with our emotional state of being.
1. Stress and Anxiety Relief
Anytime we engage in physical exercise, whether it’s lifting weights, running, or dancing, our body releases endorphins. These are the “feel-good” chemicals or hormones in our body.
These endorphins work within our bodies to reduce stress, relieve pain, and even help us get a good night’s sleep. They also give us a feeling of calm and optimism. We’re not exaggerating when we say that picking up a regular dance routine or going dance classes could legitimately change your whole life around, or at least your perception of it.
Take a moment to find out more about dance classes.
2. Cardiovascular Health
One of the most obvious and useful health benefits of dancing is what it does for your heart and lungs.
Participating in a dance class or routine a few times a week could significantly improve your cardiovascular health. It’s recommended to get in at least 150 minutes of light intensity cardio or 75 minutes of high-intensity cardio a week.
Therefore, depending on your dancing style and how intensely you like to move it, you could be far exceeding your weekly recommended cardo just by doing what you love!
3. Builds Strength and Muscle Tone
On top of improving your heart and lungs, the health benefits of dancing also extend to your strength and body composition. By body composition, we mean your lean mass versus your body fat.
Dancing is a form of exercise that requires constant movement, balance, and incredible control of your body. By working through dance routines or dancing freely multiple times a week, you’re forcing your body to grow and change.
You’ll be placing a physical demand on your muscles and they will strengthen and grow to meet you there. However, during this time, you’ll also help your body burn excess fat, which will ultimately lead to a stronger, leaner, and fitter you.
4. Better Balance
As we mentioned above, the health benefits of dancing will naturally improve your balance. While it may not seem like a big deal, balance is actually used more often than you think in everyday life.
Improved balance can help you with joint stability and reacting appropriately to a slip or fall. The balance will also be incredibly important as you age, as many elderly people have a hard time standing up, sitting down, walking without aid, etc.
5. Help with Depression
We mentioned stress and anxiety, but what about depression. Depression is a mood disorder that affects far too many Americans.
One of the many health benefits of dancing is that it acts as a natural aid in fighting depression. Dancing helps us release the hormone called serotonin – a neurotransmitter in our brain and throughout the rest of our body. A lack of serotonin is often sighted as the cause of depression and other mood disorders.
However, dancing also allows people to remove themselves from their problems. As a dancer, they take on a different role, one where they can be free and express themselves.
6. Improved Coordination
Another health benefit of dancing is improved mind-body awareness. By moving your body in purposeful ways to music and maintaining various rhythms, you’re teaching your body how to be more coordinated.
Improved coordination plays a role in nearly everything we do in life. Everyone has that friend who can’t seem to walk and chew bubblegum at the same time. It won’t be you.
7. Boosts Cognitive Performance
One of the often-overlooked health benefits of dancing is an improved cognitive ability. When you’re dancing, you’re doing one of two things. You’re either improvising as you go or doing a routine based off of memory.
Dancing freely and improvising as you go helps you think and act quickly, as you are forced to keep up with the beat. Dancing based on a routine helps you improve your memory as you are calling upon it for the next move, always staying one step ahead.
8. Calorie Burn
Next, and perhaps most obvious of all the health benefits of dancing are the burned calories. Any time you’re moving your body, you’re demanding energy from your body in the form of calories. Dancing exponentially raises the number of calories you burn versus sitting on the couch.
By adding a dance routine to your schedule a few times a week and eating a little healthier, you could easily be on your way to a slimmer waistline.
9. Improved Self-Confidence
Last, but certainly not least, dancing helps boost your self-confidence. Whether you dance in a studio with dozens of other people around or in your living room with the blinds closed, dancing helps improve our image of ourselves.
There’s something about knowing how to move and dance that really gives us a sense of self-worth. You could be dancing seductively or in more hip-hop style, you could even be doing ballet. Regardless, your new-found connection with your body gives you a renewed sense of appreciation for yourself.
Get a Move On
If you love to move and know the health benefits of dancing could improve your life, what are you waiting for? People who don’t like to dance typically don’t understand what you see in it, but you’re not doing it for them; you’re doing it for you.
Start tonight. Find a dance class or go home, turn down the lights, and crank the tunes. Good luck, and remember to check out more of our articles for more helpful advice!
