The Benefits Of Dancing In Old Age
Dancing has many benefits in old age. Physically, it improves mobility and balance and can prevent the joints from becoming stiff. It also has emotional benefits because it is a source of joy, confidence and motivation. Dancing helps keep many older people from swimming in a sea of negative emotions.
The poet Charles Baudelaire said that one way to demystify music is to channel it through dance. This is something everyone who has danced knows. But some never try to dance until they are already in their 60s or 70s.
Dancing can be a physical and emotional awakening for some people. It is important not to forget how important it is to find sources of motivation in old age. As you probably know, such things can really increase a person’s life expectancy.
Our image of the elderly has changed a lot in recent years. Now many of us can imagine active people who are still willing to explore, try new things and grow as human beings. Dancing is a great way to improve your physical health, and also a great excuse to be in a social environment and connect with other people.
What are the benefits of dancing in old age?
No one can stop aging. But that does not mean that there must be a constant state of decline. Everyone confronts this part of life differently depending on their mindset, resources, habits and health.
Prevention is a big thing to keep in mind. Having specific daily strategies to combat aging can ensure a good quality of life. Things like a healthy diet and having a social support network will ensure that you reach old age happily and in good health.
If an older person has never danced before, it is worth encouraging them to try it. Below we share some of the potential benefits.
Dancing improves the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s
A study conducted by the University of Washington School of Medicine showed that dance has great benefits for people with Parkinson’s disease. They believe that it can help a lot with the following problems:
- It can help them fall less often.
- Improve movement, rhythm, speed and flexibility.
- Strength and tone muscles.
- Strengthen cognitive processes such as attention and memory.
- Improve self-esteem.
It reduces depression-related symptoms
Doctors Amanda Haboush and Mark Floyd of the University of Nevada conducted a study in some nursing homes with dance programs. Many of the residents with mood disorders showed improvement after only two weeks of dancing. They felt less depressed and had less stress, anxiety and insomnia.
As we said earlier, prevention is an important part of the aging process. A good way to find new sources of energy in old age is to go to a dance center. It is difficult to deny the benefits of doing so, such as connecting with other people, fighting loneliness and preventing things like apathy and lack of motivation.
A body in motion makes the brain happy
A moving body sharpens your senses and connects you with yourself and your surroundings. Dancing to music lights up your brain and gives you a little extra serotonin and endorphins. It makes you laugh, pay attention, forget your physical pain, and gives the world a meaning.
A study from Saint Louis University showed that two dance lessons a week for two months made it possible for the elderly to reduce their inflammatory medication. They also had reduced arthritis and osteoarthritis pain and became more agile and faster.
Researchers also say that dance is good for the brain because it combines aerobic exercise and neural activity. It forces you to make quick decisions, which strengthens your neural networks, and more importantly, helps you create new ones.
The benefits of dancing in old age clearly have scientific support. They are also more than obvious to those who have done it all their lives, and even to those who have just started.
