When we think of dancing, we generally think in terms of a night with friends or an important person, breaking the dance floor with the most popular music. Dancing can even evoke images of highly skilled ballroom dancers in dresses with sequins, tuxedo and elegant shoes. You can even imagine celebrities on shows like Dancing with the Stars, who spend weeks of rigorous training with professionals to show off their stuff on national television. And while dancing it may seem fun and glamorous, there are also many health benefits to go out and shake your rhythm. Researchers have found that dancing can help flexibly, lose weight and even reduce stress. From better physical and mental health to an impulse in emotional and social well-being, moving your body to the sound of music can change your life.
Dancing is exercising and exercise releases endorphins that are the “feel good” hormone in your body. A relatively recent study published in ScienceDirect notes that subjects with dance movement therapy do not only benefit from decreasing anxiety and depression. However, as a ‘complementary’ alternative therapy, dance can be a form of self-expression and a form of exercise that can benefit people with mental illness who do not respond well to conventional treatments alone. Dance therapy, also known as motion therapy, medical dance therapy, dance movement therapy, body psychotherapy, therapeutic dance or movement integration, can also have beneficial physiological health effects.
Today, dance is used to treat conditions ranging from eating disorders to depression. The health benefits of dancing for the elderly range from improving their physical health to creating strong social connections that enhance their sense of happiness and well-being. All but one study showed a significant improvement in at least one of their physical health measures and no measurement change was significant in the negative direction. In particular, 3 out of 5 (60%) flexibility measurements showed significant positive results and 2 showed no significant changes. Twenty-three of the 28 (82%) muscle strength and endurance measurements showed significant positive changes and 5 showed no significant changes.
If the music is positive and stimulating, these memories can be more of a source of happiness than sadness. There is something about surfing and moving your body to the rhythm of music that seems to take away all our problems. Many crime show people are surprised to find that dancing is much more than just a social activity. For some, it may be a way to express their emotions and thoughts, but many also use dance as a way to master their physical and mental abilities.
It is a proven fact that music has a huge effect on our mind and can be a great mood hitch. While the elderly dance to their favorite music, loneliness and depression can be greatly reduced. They can enjoy sharing memories of dancing during their early years.