Page 2 - February 2023 Newsletter

12 Benefits of moving your body in such a way
that require your muscles to resist
Dancing for your body weight. It increases your
ability to go about daily tasks with
less chance of injury or falls due to
frailty. And think about this — the
Seniors more you move (dance), the more
Reprint from BathesdaHealth.org you are able to move (in general).

Dancing has been a part of human history for thousands of 3. Improved bone
years. Today, people in every culture and country can reap health. Movement enhances bone
the health benefits of dancing – many incorporate dance strength because it increases bone
into various celebrations and ceremonies. mass.

4. Better weight manage-
This is because dance lifts the spirit while benefiting the
body, and anyone can learn basic dance moves with some ment. Dancing provides a whole-body workout that results
in calorie burn.
practice. And because it is not dependent upon the season,
you can enjoy dancing all year round.
5. Increased energy levels. Dancing stimulates
the production of feel-good hormones like ser-
otonin and endorphins, which make you more
energized.

6. Improved flexibility. Dance helps seniors
avoid other injuries by keeping joints loose and
enabling more movement with less physical
discomfort.

7. Enhanced agility. As we age, we tend to lose
the ability to move quickly and easily. Dancing
helps you regain some of that agility.

8. Improved balance. Dance requires you to
use balance as you move, step, and turn. Your
base of support changes with each movement,
and your brain and body respond by enhancing your ability
Dance Benefits: More Than You’d Expect
to adjust and maintain your balance as you move.
Dance is a gentle and painless way to exercise, because it
engages the mind and body in an enjoyable way that does 9. Better cognition. Research shows that 1-2 hours a week
not feel like exercise. And it causes fewer injuries because of dancing can improve cognitive skills. The memorization
its varied movements are less repetitive in nature. of steps and the focus required by dancing result in in-
creased brain activity, which promotes better cognitive
function.
As a senior, you can experience any number of the health
benefits of dancing:
10. More opportunities for social interaction. Dancing is a
great social activity. Whether in a dance class or at a party
1. Better cardiovascular health. Dance provides low-
impact cardio at an activity level that produces many of the or celebration, you meet people with like interests in a non
same heart and pulmonary benefits as traditional cardio -competitive active that is all about having fun.
exercises.
11. Lifts the spirit. Dance lets you take your mind off the
2. Greater strength and endurance. Dancing builds muscle things that stress you and provides a break from your wor-
strength in almost every part of the body because you are ries.