If you’re anything like me you have either a Facebook account, or a Twitter account, or an Instagram account, maybe an RSS feed, a few subscriptions to online magazines and papers OR if you are really linked in, possibly all of the above and more. While the rate in which we consume digital media today is often criticized, there is no denying some of the benefits as well. Many applications and online communities run algorithms to determine what you as a unique user are interested in and passionate about, then they subtly (or not so subtly) incorporate relevant links and suggestions into your feed. While this may feel a little invasive at times, I must admit that it doesn’t take me long to get lost in amazing articles, videos, and photos about all the topics I hold closest to my heart: parenting, cooking, farming, food, animals, and DANCE!
On all of my social media accounts, I follow a variety of professional dancers, dance academies and schools, dance instructors, even photographers who solely photograph dancers dancing! So, it is no surprise that I am pretty well continually bombarded with awesome links to everything dance.
One such article that I often see pop up details all of the amazing mental, emotional, social, and physical benefits of dancing at every age and stage of life. Since we are in the thick of registration time at Dance Magic, I thought that now is as good of a time as any to share some of the cool benefits I have learned about.
So here it is, in no particular order, 8 reasons why I think you should dance now, and always!
- Dance alleviates stress and reduced the incidence of depression. Research shows that people who grow up dancing are generally happier and experience less stress. One such example of this comes from a Swedish study of 112 female teenagers. Each of the girls was dealing with back and neck pain, anxiety, depression, or stress. Half of the studied teenagers were involved in dance classes each week, while the other half of the girls did not attend classes. The results were very positive for the teens who incorporated dancing into their weekly routines. Mental health was improved for these girls, and it was also reported they experienced a mood boost!
- Dancing makes you smarter. Another benefit of dancing frequently is that it stimulates the mind and sharpens cognitive skills at every age. Dancing stimulates different brain activities at the same time, including emotional, rational, kinesthetic and musical. This increases the way your brain functions in a positive way.
- Dancing strengths your bones and reduces your risk of osteoporosis. Many of us reading this are under the age of 50, and some even under the age of 25. Having said that, your bone health might not be at the forefront of your thoughts. However, the beautiful journey of aging is inevitable, and every little bit we can do now counts towards making the transition from youth to middle age to old age more seamless. Exercise — particularly strength-training and weight-bearing activities — is an effective preventive measure for osteoporosis. Dance is a form of weight-bearing activity because your legs must support the entire weight of your body. The National Osteoporosis Foundation reports that high-impact exercises, such as dance, not only keep bones strong but help build bone mass.
- Dancing boosts your memory. Here I go again with the graceful aging! According to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine, dancing may boost your memory and prevent you from developing dementia as you get older. Science reveals that aerobic exercise can reverse volume loss in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls memory. The hippocampus naturally shrinks during late adulthood, which often leads to impaired memory and sometimes dementia.
- Dancing helps you make friends and stay social. A dance class is the perfect setting to make new friends and branch out socially. Maintaining positive relationships may just rank up there with healthy eating and exercise. Being socially engaged leads to increased happiness, reduced stress, and a stronger immune system. Plus, it’s always a good idea to expand your social circle from work and/or school. My dance friends have always provided me with different supports and a different connection than any of my other circle of friends. I wouldn’t know some of the people who mean the most to me in my life if I didn’t dance and teach dance.
- Dance can provide you with interesting career opportunities. Do you think that Miss Christine always knew she would own a dance studio? Do you think Miss Mia grew up hoping she would become an office manager? What about our teachers who have danced on cruise ships that have taken them all over the world? Or our senior dancers who have gone on to study dance in post-secondary? What for about me, writing this blog post while I am on mat leave with my new baby? Dancing and being part of a dance community opens doors for you to explore a world of possibility. Maybe you are a young dancer who will assist your first class this year. How might that benefit you down the road? Maybe because of your involvement, you will be asked to help choreograph your school play or maybe you’ll be asked to help teach at a summer camp for young dancers. The opportunities are endless if you open yourself up to them!
- Dance increases your strength and flexibility. Who doesn’t want to be able to lean over and tie their shoes without having to sit on the floor? While we might not all care about being able to do the splits, strength and flexibility are the cornerstones of keeping our joints and spines aligned and healthy. The stronger and more flexible we are means the closer we are to moving in the way that our bodies are meant to move and so we can anticipate less kinks in our necks, twists in our knees, and expensive visits to the chiropractor.
- Dance inspires creativity and imagination. While these 8 benefits appear in no particular order, I must say I think I saved the best for last. Dancing keeps our imaginations rich and vibrant. It gives us the opportunity to play. In my own experiences, I have been a tap dancing basketball player intent on beating the opposing team with my beats. I have been a rascally cat hiding out in a dark alley way searching for food scraps. I have been a young, fashionable flapper strutting my way through the streets of 1920. I have even been a girl-crazy man, chasing after the cutest girls on stage. To simply go through the motions is not only no fun for the audience, but also is no fun for the dancer. When you let go of your inhibitions and truly let the stage and yourself transform – is when you become a performer, not just a dancer. It seems that we reach a certain age and suddenly, it becomes unacceptable to just “play”. Dance, however, gives us license to go back to that playful place, let go, and have fun!
A reminder that Dance Magic is now taking registration for new and returning dancers. You can visit us at the Saturday Farmer’s Market throughout the summer, call, or visit our website for more details. Hope to see you in the Fall!
