Seniors Need to Stay Active; Dancing is Fun!

Stifling an urge to dance is bad for your health — it rusts your spirit and your hips. ~Terri Guillemets

Keeping active can be a challenge at any age. But it can be especially difficult as a senior. One way to stay active is dancing. It is recommended that we move for 30 minutes a day, five times a week, to keep our bodies healthy. Dancing provides an enjoyable and safe way to keep active, and it can be done anywhere! Adding a little twist to your day can provide many benefits, including;

• Increase flexibility and stamina
• Improves posture and balance, which can help with fall prevention.
• Strengthens our bones and muscles.
• Reduces tension and stress.
• Improves confidence.
• It makes us happy!
• Social interaction can help prevent illnesses like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, depression, and osteoporosis.

Dancing is the key!

Dance with your family, friends, and Alvita care home caregivers! Dancing keeps us limber and our minds active because we use both sides of our brains when we dance.

Research shows dancing helps Seniors’ health.

A study conducted in New York shows that Ballroom Dance can reduce the risk of dementia. Thoughts are that Ballroom dance uses “Brain Power” to learn and memorize the steps, which is beneficial to our mental health. Dancing has a social component as well, which boosts our mood.

A Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine study showed that the Argentine tango was better at improving the mobility of Parkinson’s disease sufferers than an exercise class. It states that gentle dance classes, which are appropriate for seniors, can stimulate the body and the spirit. Regain flexibility and strength as you learn new techniques to soothe the stress away.

The American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions reported that dancing improves ability and quality of life among chronic heart failure patients.

“Our research suggests that dancing is a new choice of exercise training for patients with heart failure,”

the lead author of the study Romualdo Belardinelli, M.D. said

“This is good news, because if we want patients to take part in lifelong aerobic exercise at least three times a week, it should be something that’s fun and makes them want to continue.”

Gentle dance classes can stimulate the body and the spirit. Dance can help to regain strength and flexibility. As you learn new techniques, dancing can help soothe away stress.

New York City Department of Parks and Recreation hosts Summer on the Hudson: Dances for all Ages. It is held on the first Friday of every month throughout the summer, providing a night out of dancing on the Hudson River.

Dancing doesn’t have to be fancy. If you feel the desire to dance, DANCE! The point is to keep moving. Have fun with it; no need to take it too seriously. If you hear a tune and it inspires you… start dancing!

Whether you’re dancing in the streets, sitting on a park bench, or in your home, dancing is a fun, safe, and exciting way to keep you healthy.