Through the act of Dancing, seniors can explore new movement, connect to others, and better understand of themselves and their own bodies.
When it comes to keeping active, there are a whole host of possible activities that seniors can take part in to get their bodies moving. Dancing is a great way to get active and take part in physical exercise while also challenging the brain, promoting positive emotions, and engaging in self-expression.
How Dancing Can Promote Wellbeing
Seniors can reap many benefits from taking up dancing and can use dance as a tool to keep physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy.
- Mood and Emotional Health: Dance is an activity that is about more than just movement. Studies have indicated that seniors who make dance a part of their lives have less anxiety and stress and are less likely to feel depressed.
- Physical Strength: The various forms of movement involved in dancing are an incredible form of exercise that can help seniors to increase their physical strength and balance.
- Stretching: Many seniors experience a great deal of stiffness and discomfort in areas of their body that have sustained wear and tear over their lifetime. Dance is a relatively low-impact form of exercise that can increase flexibility and decrease stiffness. Many seniors who dance regularly and stretch out their bodies feel less pain.
- Heart Health: The aerobic exercise of dance is great for heart health and can help with cardiovascular health overall.
- Cognitive Health: The thinking and quick decision making involved in dance make it a good form of exercise for the mind as well as the body. Learning to dance, remembering routines, and choosing which moves to use are all mental processes that make new pathways in the brain and can help to keep the brain healthy and fit.
- Self-Esteem: Learning any new skill can be incredible for seniors’ self-esteem and sense of self-worth. Being able to show off new dancing skills to friends and family is something that can help seniors feel special, proud, and capable.
- Expression: Dancing is an art that can be used to express oneself in a physical way. Seniors who take part in dance can use it as an outlet to express emotions or thoughts that they may be having in a concrete and beautiful way.
- Socialization: Dance can be a social activity, whether it be in a class, with friends, at home, or at a party or gathering. Getting out to dance with friends or peers can be a great social activity and can help seniors keep connected and build new relationships.
Dance is an activity that can be adapted to suit seniors in whatever place they find themselves, with whatever capabilities they may have, and can be a wonderful opportunity for seniors to grow, learn, exercise, and express themselves.
