Dancing stimulates the mind and works out the entire body. Not to mention, because it puts you in a “flow” condition, it’s beneficial for your soul as well. It makes sense why so many individuals have chosen to dance instead of doing boring activities at the gym.
Dance may take many diverse forms, including Zumba, hip-hop, modern, and others. Whatever your preferred style, dance has something to offer just about everybody looking to make fitness enjoyable.
Because they relate exercise to suffering or punishment, many people see it as something to avoid. Since action has been a part of mankind since the beginning of time, it’s about time you changed the way you feel about it.
The only distinction is that in today’s environment we have to actively work to sweat. Of course, manual labor in industries like agriculture or construction is an exception.
In the past, humans migrated more on a natural basis to get food, water, or other resources. We didn’t have the luxury of dashing to the grocery shop or relaxing in air-conditioned spaces.
In a few hundred years, most of us will be working in offices or standing still all day. We don’t really have a choice, but it’s not exactly good for our bodies or brains. So, what can we do to resolve this situation? If you don’t like working out but still want to move, dancing could be for you.
Science Explains Why Dancing Is So Good for the Mind and Body
All facets of health can be improved by dancing (mental, emotional, and physical). We’ll discuss why dancing could be the best kind of workout below.
Physical Benefits of Dance
- Increases flexibility and agility. Because of our sedentary lifestyles, many of us have rigid, inflexible bodies. Joint pain and stiffness can also be brought on by aging and repeated motions (such as working in a factory). However, it can help our tight bodies relax and give us more energy. According to one research, cross-country skiers who trained in dance for many months had better spine flexibility and joint mobility. Their agility and quickness also improved.
- Strengthens cardiovascular health If you are concerned about the condition of your heart, dancing can be the ideal solution. According to research, dancing often and at a moderate intensity may delay the onset of cardiovascular disease. Researchers discovered that dancing has more health advantages than walking.
- It aids with weight loss. Due to inactivity, many people nowadays struggle to lose weight. We don’t have enough opportunities to exercise our bodies while going about our everyday business. However, even thirty minutes a day of dancing might aid in weight loss. Dancing burns an absurd amount of calories because it mixes aerobic workout with muscular development. One research, for instance, discovered that a single hour of mid-to-high-intensity Zumba may burn between 300 and 900 calories!
Benefits for Emotional Health
- Enhances mood and relieves stress. Dancing your heart out is the best way to decompress. You tend to ignore your troubles and live in the moment while the music is thumping. In addition to students, one research revealed that dance therapy also reduced stress and sadness in patients with diseases including Parkinson’s and breast cancer. Another 2014 study found that dancing decreases cortisol levels and releases endorphins more than other forms of exercise.
- It provides a possibility for interaction. At a gym, group fitness sessions provide you the chance to meet new people while getting your groove on. It’s not necessarily a terrible thing to multitask.
- Enhances confidence and self-esteem. When you lose weight, you always feel better at ease in your own skin. This advantage is provided by dancing in addition to the joy of mastering a new talent. You may lose weight by exercising on the treadmill, but dancing can be a more enjoyable activity.
Mental Benefits of Dancing
- Increases mental and memory capacity. In one research, women with fibromyalgia who participated in the aerobic exercise program Zumba reported improvements in their working memory, motor function, and depressive symptoms. According to a different study, ladies between the ages of 57 and 90 who took part in Zumba for six weeks had improved cognition and brain function. For individuals healing from brain traumas, some physicians will even recommend dance instruction. Our mental acuity and energy levels can both be enhanced by the activity.
- lowers the chance of dementia. It should come as no surprise that dancing can reduce the risk of dementia as it enhances memory. The impact of dancing on mental health was investigated in a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. To find out if mind-body exercises like yoga, tai chi, and dance may improve adults’ cognition, researchers looked at 32 trials with more than 3,500 participants aged 50 to 85. Researchers discovered that older folks with superior cognitive function than inactive individuals engaged in mind-body activities like dancing. They discovered that even in people who already had signs of mental deterioration, 60 to 120 minutes of tai chi or dancing per week increased cognition from all mind-body activities more than any other exercise. Additionally, compared to previous mind-body exercises, these exercises increased cognitive flexibility.
- Increases white matter in the brains of older people. Another 2017 study found that dancing boosts white matter, which typically decreases with age. White matter can enhance cognitive function and processing speed.
Final Thoughts on How Dancing Heals the Mind and Body
The research mentioned above show that dancing has many advantages for the mind, body, and spirit. Getting your body moving can’t always make you feel better, particularly when you’re doing monotonous, repetitive gym exercises. However, dancing relaxes the body and mind since it’s a joyful, exciting exercise. You may let go and move to the music’s beat while forgetting all of your tension and problems.
It’s hardly surprising that the popularity of Zumba and other movement programs has skyrocketed over the past couple of decades. Consider dancing to put a little pep in your step if you’re searching for a new activity to change up your routine!