Dancing yourself to a healthier you

Many of us probably secretly dance in the living room when we are all by ourselves. Listening to music with a good beat and rhythm can get a person in the mood. How do I know? I have a tendency to move to music when exercising since I do not know how to dance. Exercise is my version of dancing.

                          

As we are a generation that is into living a healthier lifestyle, there are ways to help promote weight loss other than the typical running, walking, the gym, yoga, and Pilates, etc.

 

A person can also dance himself or herself thin. There are benefits to dancing.

 

Dancing helps to reduce stress, increase energy, improve strength and increase muscle tone and coordination. Dancing can also lower the risk of coronary heart disease, decrease blood pressure, help maintain weight and strengthen leg and hipbones.

 

Dancing also provides heart-healthy benefits of an aerobic exercise. This can be stimulating to the mind and has been found to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia in the elderly.

 

Physical dancing has been found to increase blood flow to the brain, but the social aspect leads to less stress, depression, and loneliness. Dancing requires the memorization of steps, working with a partner, which provides the mental challenges that are crucial for brain health.

 

Dance types and their health benefits

 

Belly dancing improves posture and muscle toning, maintains flexibility, helps in the prevention of lower back problems, tones and firms arms and shoulders, helps with weight loss, helps prepare women for childbirth and reduces stress.

 

Ballroom dancing conditions the body, helps keep the heart in shape, builds and increases stamina, develops the circulatory system, strengthens and tones the body and legs, increases balance and flexibility, helps with weight loss and reduces stress.

 

Salsa dancing builds stamina and endurance, helps with weight loss, relieves stress, helps release toxins through sweating, possibly helps to lower blood pressure and decrease cholesterol levels, and can lead to a reduced heart rate over time.

 

Square dancing loosens and tones muscles, provides cardiovascular conditioning, can lead to a lower heart rate, lower blood pressure, and improve cholesterol. Strengthens bones, and helps develop strong social ties.

 

Aside from the physical benefits, dancing also can brighten a person’s day and is a mood stabilizer for some.

 

Dancing types and calories burned per hour:

 

Swing                         =                      235 Ballroom                    =                      265 Square                       =                      280 Ballet                          =                      300 Belly                           =                      380 Salsa                          =                      420+ Aerobic                      =                      540+

 

Finally, remember this tidbit: dancing the night away can burn more calories per hour than riding a bike or swimming.

 

Dance your way to a healthier you.