Put on your party pants, because it's time to dance!
Often shrugged off as just a recreational activity reserved for late nights out, weddings and parties, dancing is so much more than that. The activity of dance has a plethora of proven health benefits, all of which improve physical, mental and social well-being. Another great aspect of dance is the fact that all you need is yourself - no fancy equipment, studio or personal trainers.
All you need is some free space, your favorite music and you're good to go!
In this blog, we outline the many reasons why dancing is good for your health, and hope to get you off your seat and on your feet in no time!
Whether you prefer ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap or just rocking out in your living room, here are just a few reasons why dancing is good for your health.
1. Dancing Works Up a Sweat
Generally, most forms of dance can be constituted as a low-impact, cardiovascular workout.
But just because it's ''low-impact'' doesn't mean you won't work up a sweat!
It's considered low-impact because most forms of dance are gentle on your joints, but aside from this, dancing can actually give you more than a simple cardio workout. Most forms of dance activate more than one set of muscles at any given time, all while targeting your endurance levels, flexibility, coordination, and balance.
However, in order to work up a truly decent sweat, you do need to put in a little effort. If your form of dance is between a 5 and 7 on an effort scale of 1 to 10, you are bound to get a decent cardio workout!
If the treadmill (aka dreadmill) just isn't for you, dancing is a great way to get you moving, burn calories and shift a few pounds, all while having a bit of fun!
2. Improves Balance and Coordination
If you've ever watched a professional dancer perform, you may have noticed their incredible sense of poise and awareness of how their body moves.
A stand-out reason why dancing is good for your health is that it helps to improve your balance, coordination and the way you move your body.
Research has shown that dance improves balance in the elderly, helping to improve their walking speed, reaction time and cognitive performance. Many forms of dance, including the tango, ballroom, jazz, folk, ballet and contemporary dance are known to improve balance and coordination.
3. It's an Instant Mood Enhancer
Have you ever just blasted your favorite music and danced to your heart's content? Our bet is that you felt amazing afterward!
Moving your body to the sound and beat of music is a proven way to relieve stress and release feel-good endorphins.
Dancing has the unique ability to push away feelings of anxiety, depression, and stress - even if it's just for a few minutes, leaving you feeling fresh and energized.
Manage your emotions with dance - after all, it is a form of expression and can help to improve your self-esteem and overall well-being.
4. It Helps to Build Strength
Taking up a dance class as a form of exercise is one of the best things you can do to build up your strength.
During most forms of dance, numerous muscles are targetted and worked simultaneously, helping to improve your overall muscle fitness and strength.
Additionally, it's been proven that dance helps in building strong bones, as the weight-bearing movements help to keep them dense.
As such, dance is a great way to avoid the onset of diseases such as osteoporosis.
5. It Keeps You Mentally Sharp
Learning a full-on dance routine is not to be under-estimated! Plenty of time and effort goes into learning and memorizing even the most simple of routines.
Having to learn up to 100 individual steps in a single dance routine is enough to challenge even the most ''switched on'' individuals.
Unlike many other cardiovascular activities which only involve a repetition of one movement i.e. running, dancing can be far more technical.
As such, taking up dance as a regular hobby is known to improve mental alertness, sharpness, and memory.
6. It's a Mental Escape
Immersing yourself in the world of dance is one of the best mental escapes anyone could ask for.
Whether you're a recreational dancer who prefers to shake it in your undies in the living room or a pro who takes the challenge to a dance studio, dancing can be a true escape.
One of the best ways to relieve stress? Escaping the reality of life, even for just a few minutes.
The rhythmic movement of dance is known to trigger endorphins and serotonin, contributing to your feel-good escape. Improve your mental flexibility and well-being through the wonders of dance!
7. It Helps With Social Anxiety
If you decide to take up a dance class as a new activity and struggle with self-esteem, dance is a great way to work through this.
Dancing is a fun exercise based on social interaction, so the more you dance, the better you'll become at socially interacting with others. Many dance routines are based on working with fellow dancers, this way you'll learn to communicate better and improve your self-confidence.
Finding a love for dance can ultimately help you to find a love for other things in your life, as increased self-esteem can lead to increased self-drive.
Looking For Your Next Dance Class?
Golden Dance and Cheer Academy, based in Bogota, Columbia, offers professional training in the world of dance and cheerleading.
With over 18 years' experience as one of the best in the industry, Golden Dance and Cheer Academy strive to create world-class dancers with a true passion for dance.
We specialize in the dance forms of jazz, classical ballet, hip-hop as well as cheerleading, gymnastics, and aerobics.
If you're looking to find a love and passion for dance, get in touch with us to book your next class.