5 Physical and Mental Health Benefits of Dancing as an Adult
There are few things in the world that are as distinct to humans as dancing. While some animals react to music in a variety of ways, dancing is a beautiful form of expression unique to our species.
The health and mental benefits of dance are numerous, and there are seemingly endless types to choose from.
If you can only think of ballroom dancing or salsa as an option, it’s time to reimagine the world of dance.
Once you explore and find the perfect dancing class or studio for your interests, you too can begin to experience the benefits of dance.
Read on to learn five of the top dance benefits, and how this fun activity can promote both mental and physical health as an adult.
Top Five Physical and Mental Dance Benefits
While nearly all forms of exercise are clearly beneficial for mood, health, and wellness, dancing is one that can motivate you to keep up with it because it’s so fun!
Moreover, there are specific benefits in jiving to your favorite song that extends beyond what other activities provide.
Find out more below on why dancing can change your entire life through its combination of positive outcomes.
1. Improve Coordination
The tasks of every day – walking, sitting, stairs, and even common workouts – tend to focus on the same muscle groups.
Dancing pushes your body to use different combinations of muscle and body parts that can both improve their strength and coordination.
If becoming a more physically balanced person sounds good to you, dancing is the perfect way to do it.
2. Boost Confidence
It isn’t unusual to feel insecure about your dancing skills. Everyone remembers what it was like at school dances as an adolescent.
Dancing as an adult can challenge you to overcome that insecurity you feel, and empower you to be confident in yourself and your body in a new and exciting way.
3. Promote Cardiovascular Health
As a form of cardio in one of it’s truest forms, dancing can greatly benefit your heart health.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, adults should aim for a minimum of 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate-intensity, or 1 hour and 15 minutes each week of high-intensity aerobic physical activity.
Dancing is the perfect way to fulfill your fitness goals for your cardiovascular and whole-body health.
4. Increase Mental Agility
There are several studies that not only suggest that learning to dance can promote mental health, but also mental agility.
Cognitive performance has shown to improve in both adults and children who dance, possibly related brain stimulation through physical activity, according to a researcher at Harvard Medical School.
5. Manage Weight
Last but not least, dancing can be a great way to maintain a healthy weight. By promoting calorie use in a fun, and social way, it can help you not only like that number on the scale in the short-term, but the long-term as well.
Dance for the Health of It
Dance benefits far extend the list above, and they can include everything from the mental, physical, emotional, and social influences that the activity can have.
Many dancers, new and seasoned, report immediate improvement in their lives, one way or another.
Ready to get started? Find a studio that is ready to help you become your best self that will help you learn to dance, or pick the habit back up.