Feel the Groove: The Physical and Mental Benefits of Dance

Dancing can be an excellent way to express yourself, have fun, and get a great workout while you're at it.

The physical benefits of dance are manifold. You might even say it's the best exercise because it positively impacts your mental and physical health. Dancing not only uses every muscle in your body, but it also raises your heart rate. Dancing may also be a lot of fun. 

Your dance style will determine how hard of a workout it is, but almost any type of dancing may be used as an exercise. You have three options for taking classes: remotely, in person, or at your neighborhood gym or studio. Whichever you decide on, you will reap the rewards, even if it's simply Saturday night clubbing.

What particular health advantages does busting a move offer, then? Some of these health advantages are common to all forms of exercise, while others are specific to dance. To convince you to get on that dance floor, we've compiled some of the top reasons you should get up and feel that groove.

Improves Your Core Strength

According to several studies, dancing demands balance and strengthens the core, all of which serve to improve proper posture, ward off muscular strains, and reduce back discomfort. In ballet, for example, you educate your body to remain motionless, frequently on one leg. You wouldn't be able to develop your body's deep muscles without such a high level of body awareness. Additionally, you are using your abs, which are crucial for balance.

Increases Flexibility

Numerous dancing styles not only increase strength but also enhance flexibility by stretching the body's limbs. Enhanced flexibility and strength work together to provide better balance, which lowers the chance of damage in other areas of life and helps prevent falls. Move freely with Diamond Carbonado Black High-Waisted Leggings for flexibility training!

It Can Help You Lose Weight

Another excellent way to burn calories is through aerobic and anaerobic exercise, both of which can be achieved through dancing. While holding squatting and balancing poses can activate the anaerobic energy system, jumping and twirling are excellent aerobic exercises.

Generally speaking, dancing at a faster pace will burn more calories and energy. Dancing for 30 minutes can burn 90–252 calories, depending on the style and weight of the dancer. If you're attempting to lose weight, this kind of intense calorie burning can assist with it. Try enrolling in a dance cardio class, which is intended to increase physical fitness and burn as many calories as possible.

Improves Cardiovascular Health

Dancing is a fantastic aerobic workout that helps to improve cardiovascular health. According to population-based survey data of adults 40 and up, people who participated in moderate-intensity dancing (defined in the study as enough to make you out of breath or sweaty) had a 46 percent lower risk of developing heart disease or dying from it over a 10-year follow-up than nondancers. This finding was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine in 2016. Conversely, walkers with a moderate level of exertion were just 25% less likely to get heart-related problems.

Related: Unleashing the Power of Cardio: 20 Friendly Cardio Workouts for Beginners to Blast Calories Without Breaking a Sweat

Reduces the Risk of Cognitive Decline

A big part of taking a dance class is learning complex dance routines by heart.  As we age, social dancing has been shown to lower the risk of cognitive decline, according to some pretty solid research. One medical study found that out of all the physical activities, dance was the only physical activity linked to a lower risk of dementia compared to walking, cycling, stair climbing, swimming, and group fitness classes.

It's Great For Your Mental Health

Dance has been found to reduce anxiety, boost self-esteem, and enhance psychological health. Additionally, some forms of dance have even been used to alleviate depression. Dance movement therapy (DMT) i.e. the psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration of the individual, to improve health and well-being, was found to be effective in treating depression, according to research published in 2019 in Frontiers in Psychology.

It's The Perfect Way To Connect Socially

A vital component of both mental and physical wellness is social engagement and connection. Group dance classes are great places to make new friends as you all engage in an activity that is fun and where you get to be yourself. Numerous studies demonstrate the numerous detrimental impacts loneliness and social isolation may have on one's health. Group dance classes are amazing at keeping us connected and improving our emotional health.

Dancing involves sharing, and you realize you all have something in common when you attend a class full of people. There's an incredible sensation that comes from enjoying yourself in a group dance session rather than competing. Whether you join a ballroom dancing class or a Zumba class, when you join class, you can feel a sense of community and connection in the room.

Dancing Is Amazing for Reducing Stress

Have you ever turned on your favorite music and danced to release some steam after a difficult day? Moving in any way can help reduce stress, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, dancing might be very useful for this. For instance, research in The International Journal on the Biology of Stress revealed that whereas high-intensity aerobic exercise did not affect the cortisol awakening response, a sign of chronic stress, DMT did.

Related: Mastering Stress Relief: How To Relieve Stress For A Healthier You

What To Wear For Your First Dance Class

If you are new to dancing or just looking for a new spring in your step, a good place to start is to think about what you're going to wear. Whether you're doing an afro-fusion class or ballet, you'll want something sleek and streamlined. Opt for form-fitting tops that move with you, a bit like a second skin. Leggings or biker shorts are also an essential part of the perfect dancing outfit. There's a reason why leggings and leg warmers are considered part of the dancer's uniform. The last thing you want to be worrying about when you're busting a move is flowing tops or baggy trousers that get in the way.

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