Dancing is a unique way to stay fit. It has many benefits for people of all ages, shapes, and sizes. Along with its many other benefits, dancing can also improve mental functioning. Dancing can boost memory and brain functions, stimulate nerve growth, increase your overall mood, and much more.
Dancing increases brain functions & boosts memory
Adults who have a regular dance routine have higher brain functions and better memory. Several studies have shown that dancing links to a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia. A study conducted by the New England Journal of Medicine has found that adults who are participating in activities such as dancing are less likely to develop a neurological disorder. In comparison with their counterparts who stay inactive, inactive adults are more likely to develop a neurological disorder much earlier.
Dancing is a skill akin to learning music. What music does to the brain, so does dancing. Dancing as in music requires rhythm and timing. The mind is always looking for a rhythm, a way to keep the body moving and engaged. In dance, not only is your body getting exercise, so are your auditory and motor systems. These systems are essential in strengthening muscle memory, nerve connections, and neuroplasticity in the brain.
Good posture improves memory by helping increase blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Many Americans are simply not practicing good posture. In America, many people suffer from bad posture as a result of countless hours sitting down at work, at home, or school.
Many Americans are simply not practicing good posture.
Having good posture is not only a part of dancing but is essential to it. Without good posture, you have no balance, leading to bad rhythm and movement. It does not matter if you are a beginner dancer looking to improve or if you are using dance as therapy or simply taking up dancing for enjoyment, your posture will improve. Along with posture improving, so will your memory.
Dancing Stimulates Nerve Growth
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change throughout time. Synapses in the brain may strengthen or weaken over time if not used. The goal of neuroplasticity is to strengthen the brain by keeping it active and engaged. People who dance regularly have enhanced cognition and increased neural synapses. By improving the neural connectivity in the brain, dancing is one of the best therapeutical engagements to stimulate nerve growth and slow aging.
Dance is a multi-tasking activity that has been shown to improve cognitive health and muscle memory. Dancing ranks as one of the best exercises in the world. in a study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, dancing may be a better form of exercise than traditional fitness training when it comes to nerve growth and in slowing aging. This is because of the multi-tasking activities required, which include:
- Choreography and dance patterns
- Rhythm and timing
- Moving in synchronicity with a partner
- Adding different moves
All of these activities require multiple complex motor functions and nerve activations, which show improvements in memory, attention, and focus.
Nerve growth is essential for longevity. The more activities a person is engaged with, the less likely it is for him or her to develop a neurological disorder. The combination of exercise and neuroplasticity during a dance can be a defense against many diseases such as dementia, depression, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and cerebral palsy. Dancing can even prevent dizziness.
Dancing Improves Overall mood
There are many factors in a day to day life, which can affect mood and lead to stress factors such as work, a bad day, a lack of sleep, societal pressures, disability, illness, etc. Living with stress, a serious illness, or disability is emotionally stressful.
It’s important to manage stress for our bodies and minds. Dance serves as stress management. Dancing can be a joyous distraction that can calm anxiety and depression. Music and dance can also be motivational and inspiring by connecting us to happy memories of the past and increasing levels of the feel-good hormone, serotonin.
The most known reasons why people decide to start dancing is that they want to learn, and they also want to exercise. Physical exercise is just as beneficial and directly linked to increasing mental functioning and mood. There are countless benefits to dancing.
1. Improves Cardiovascular Health
Physically active adults are healthier, feel better, and are less likely to develop many chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease. With the number of exercises, dancers engage in, 150-300 minutes per week can be equivalent to a traditional gym routine.
2. Improves balance and strength
One of the reasons dance is such a great activity is because it involves movements from your body and all directions. This type of multi-pivotal movement increases strength, balance, and other mental functions.
3. Is social activity
One of the greatest things about dance is that anyone can participate, no matter the age or size. People were made to be social, inclusive, and move to the beat. Being around other people while dancing is good for your mental and emotional health.
4. Helps Release Stress
Dance is a social and expressive activity. Many people let loose when they are on the dance floor, let the body take over, and worries wash away. Mood and stress are almost immediately improved whenever someone is just enjoying the rhythm and moving to the beat.
5. improved mental functioning
Adults who have a regular dance routine have higher mental functions and better memory. The goal of dancing is to strengthen the mind and body by keeping yourself active and engaged.
Conclusion
Dancing has many benefits for people of all ages, shapes, and sizes. Along with its many other benefits, dancing can also improve mental functioning. Implementing a weekly dance routine can be your best decision for a healthier, more mindful, longer life.
Sources
- Verghese, J. et al., (2003). Leisure activities and the risk of dementia in the elderly. New England Journal of Medicine. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa022252
- Merom, D. et al., (2016). Cognitive benefits of social dancing and walking in old age: the dancing mind randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.