05 Jul The Power of Dance

Dance is part of my daily routine, every morning I turn on MTV and dance to upbeat music for 30 minutes. It’s a wonderful way to start the day, putting me in a happy and positive mood and uplifting the energy I need for my busy day.

We know how important it is to exercise, and I’d love to have the time to do outdoor activities like cycling. However, it can be difficult to slot these in when you have a hectic schedule. That’s why dancing is so good – it can be done any time in the privacy of your home, and you don’t need special clothing or equipment. You can be as energetic as you want, and the more you get your heart pumping, the better it is for you.

Of course, you can go to actual dance classes. Many dance studios providing classes for adults, teaching everything from ballet and jazz to hip hop and tap. If you have a partner or a friend who shares your love of dance you could enrol in ballroom, Latin swing or jive classes – what fun!

Learning to dance requires mental focus, creating new neural pathways in the brain, making it stronger and more resistant to cognitive decline later in life.

There are lots of other health benefits of dancing, according to research carried out over the years:-

• Improving heart and lung function
• Building stronger bones and reducing the risk of osteoporosis
• Increasing muscle tone and strength
• Improving coordination, balance, agility and flexibility
• Helping with weight management and losing weight
• Reducing stress and anxiety
• Strengthening the immune system

Dancing to music with a strong beat prompts your body to release the brain’s chemicals dopamine, serotonin and endorphins, the ‘fell good factor’ to prevent anxiety and depression, improve sleep quality and generally help you to feel happy.  No wonder dancing puts me in such a good mood!