Dancing is a beneficial activity for all ages. It acts as a complete workout for general well-being. Not only does it help you improve your physical condition, but it helps you reduce stress and improve your concentration. Also, it will also help you get out of your comfort zone and meet new people. If you have not yet decided to join a group or dance classes, you may choose to do so after reading this article.
1. Improves Cardiovascular Health
National and international health authorities recommend the health benefits of dancing. According to its guidelines, adults should do at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week.
Dance styles with a fast, steady tempo are great for cardio workouts, as you challenge your heart rate when performing the different moves.
2. Improves Balance and Strength
One of the reasons dancing is such a great form of fitness is because it incorporates movement in all planes of motion and from all directions.
The movements we usually do in our daily lives, such as walking, climbing stairs, and common workouts like treadmills and cycling, occur in the sagittal plane (forward and backward, left and right). But dancing works on your body from all planes, including lateral and rotational, which serves to really work all the muscles.
3. It Is Gentle on Your Body
Even if you have a physical problem or limited mobility, there will be a type of dance you can practice without worrying about it affecting your body. Remember that you should also talk to your instructor and explain your situation. If your instructor knows your physical condition, they will make sure to adjust the class to your needs. They can help you with any modifications if necessary.
4. It Challenges Your Brain
If you have ever tried tap dancing, then you know what we mean by challenging your brain. To dance, you will not only have to focus on changing the movements, but you will also have to remember the steps and choreography. Tap dancing could be an excellent way to exercise your brain of mental exercise regardless of your age.
5. It is Inclusive
One of the best things about dance is that anyone can participate. If you can move, even if it is just your upper body, then you can dance. That is what makes dancing so popular even among people who usually avoid other forms of exercise.
6. It Can Be a Social Activity
If you tend to be a solitary person, you will learn what it is like to enjoy an activity as a team or with a partner. Whether it is signing up for a ballroom or belly dancing class, dancing with friends, or dancing with your children or grandchildren, dancing with others will expand your social circle and improve your emotional health.
7. It Helps Improve Your Mood
Venting through dancing will help you improve your mental and emotional health by reducing stress, decreasing symptoms of anxiety and depression, and increasing your self-esteem.
The Psychological Benefits of Dancing
We often forget the therapeutic function of exercise. Beyond the physical benefits, dancing can also help our overall mental health. Our brain houses the so-called pituitary gland, which releases endorphins when we exercise, and these travel throughout the body to help you feel better.
But, also, and thanks to the fact that we enjoy what we do, dancing gives us an extra boost. Dancing releases endorphins that can improve mood and help reduce cortisol levels produce serotonin and dopamine, and stress levels. Experts recommend dancing for 30 to 45 minutes to release these natural happiness hormones.
Types of Dance You Can Try
All dance styles, from traditional ballet to funk, have physical, mental, and emotional benefits. Each one will help you in a different way.
Belly Dancing
Belly dancing is a great style to start with. Especially if you want to learn to express yourself using the muscles of your stomach, trunk, arms, and hips. It is a very rhythmic and fun style of dance, which also has an empowering component by freeing areas whose expression we often limit due to the rigidity of social conventions.
Hip Hop
This genre is a unique free form of dance that will help you express your personality through your body and movement. Also, there are other sub-genres related to hip-hop that you can try.
Free Dance
It pursues maximum liberation from conventional movement patterns to allow new spontaneous movements associated with expressing emotions. We experience a deep sense of freedom by moving under an emotional impulse.
Ballet
Also known as classical dance, this is an elegant and technical form of dance, but it is also perfect for all ages. It helps you become deeply aware of each part of your body and its potential and also will improve your flexibility.
Zumba
This is a dance and type of physical training inspired by the movements of various Latin American dance styles. It has become a form of intense and fun training, fashionable around the world, taught in gyms.
Ballroom
Ballroom dancing can lower blood pressure and cholesterol, improve cardiovascular health, strengthen weight-bearing bones, help prevent or delay bone loss related to osteoporosis, reduce the risks of obesity and type 2 diabetes, and promote a healthy lifestyle and greater lung capacity. Are you interested in practicing this type of dance? Here, you can get men’s ballroom dance shoes to get you started right away.
Conclusion
There is nothing more incredible than exercising and relaxing your mind while having fun. And that is what you can achieve if you make dancing your new hobby. The benefits are countless. Not only will you be able to exercise and tone your body, but you will also be able to relax your mind and feel more active and happy thanks to the increase in endorphins. Do not hesitate and start dancing to get the best version of yourself!