Whether you were once a skilled dancer or took to the floor during parties, dancing gives you an opportunity to let loose and have fun. But despite knowing how it uplifts the spirits, many seniors bow out from the action when the opportunity arises. For some, it’s fear of injury. For others, it’s a perceived lack of coordination. Whatever the reason is, the perception is wrong. In fact, dancing is fantastic for the overall wellness of older adults.
Why is dancing so great for seniors? Between the physical, mental, and cognitive benefits, dancing is a fantastic hobby and form of exercise to pick up. It doesn’t matter if you sign up for Zumba, ballroom dancing, or any other type of dance class!
Improved balance, strength, and endurance
Dance is one of those activities that doesn’t feel like exercise, but most certainly is! As you move across the dance floor, you strengthen the muscles in your legs, core, and even arms. Doing so improves your posture and stride, both of which reduce your risk of falls.
Building these muscles also improves your overall endurance, or your ability to stay active for longer periods of time. This will not only help throughout your exercise journey, but throughout your daily life.
Increased energy
Just as your overall endurance levels improve with regular dance sessions, so will your energy levels. Regular exercise helps you sleep better, which gives you more energy throughout the day. Dancing also stimulates the production of serotonin and endorphins, or the “happy hormones,” which both are linked to energy levels. After a dance session, you’ll walk away feeling more energized than before.
Improved cognition
In a study by the New England Journal of Medicine, participants were examined for 21 years to see if their activity of choice reduced the risk of dementia. Those who danced regularly had the lowest risk of developing dementia. This is likely due to increased neuroplasticity, or the ability to form synaptic connections in the brain.
Dancing requires individuals to make decisions rapidly in order to stay on one’s toes. Dance moves can be anticipated, but they are never exactly the same, so it can’t be memorized. This stimulates the brain in a completely different fashion than many other activities.
Dancing is social
While you can certainly put music on in your home and dance to your heart’s content, the best way to get the best workout (or develop the best techniques) is to join a class. This turns dancing into an inherently social activity, as you will be surrounded by seniors in similar situations who are looking to make connections.
These connections are crucial to our overall health, which, in turn, impacts our physical health. Seniors with healthy social circles experience a boost in their self-esteem, increased feelings of fulfillment, and lower risks of conditions such as cardiovascular disease and arthritis. So, head to a senior dance class and form bonds with like-minded people.
Improved mental health
All of the above benefits culminate in one key aspect: improved mental health. As we age and retire, it’s easy to feel aimless in one’s life. Having an activity to look forward to each week increases one’s sense of fulfillment, as well as their sense of self. One’s mental health is directly correlated to their physical health, so taking care of both is crucial to one’s full-body wellness.
Don’t forget to care for oneself at home
Despite how wonderful dancing is for you, it’s an unfortunate fact of life that you can’t dance away your problems. Taking care of the home and oneself grows to be a daunting task. Luckily, you don’t have to shoulder those responsibilities on your own. Home Care Powered by AUAF can help.
Our caregivers are trained to offer the dedicated, compassionate care you require to feel comfortable and confident in your own home again. For more information, give us a call at (773) 274-9262.
