Dancing Your Way to Good Health

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JLP Staff

Aging Well /

Senior fitness web

As the baby boomer generation ages, getting enough exercise can be a real chore. But how do you get your exercise? Do you go to the gym? Do you have home exercise equipment? How boring! There are many ways to exercise while simultaneously having fun! If you, like most people, find a home workout routine or going the gym to use the equipment mundane, boring, and stale, consider alternative forms of exercise – such as dancing.

Dancing for Exercise

Believe it or not, more and more seniors are turning to dance for their exercise for one simple reason – it’s fun! But the benefits don’t end there. Regular exercise provides your body with a wealth of benefits, decreases your risk of developing diseases, and improves your quality of life.

But don’t think that your age limits your ability to take advantage of dance as a form of exercise. If you are worried about keeping up with the youngsters dancing strangely to the latest trending rap music, think again. There are plenty of dance groups that are comprised entirely of seniors – giving you the perfect opportunity to socialize while you exercise.

In fact, numerous studies have shown a strong correlation between the amount of exercise an individual performs on a regular basis and their overall health – which makes a lot of sense, right? Regular exercise will help stave off physical illnesses, improve heart health, and even aid the abatement of mental illnesses and neurodegenerative diseases. The fact of the matter is that if you wish to age gracefully to get the most out of your golden years, you are going to need a way to exercise every week. And what better way to do it than dancing? There are many benefits that dancing provides that lie outside of the realm of physical health, too.

Improved Social Life

The problem with personal trainers and exercise programs that you undertake on your own is that you are severely limited in your social interactions. It is very doubtful that you are going to meet new people your own age when you work out at home or at a gym by yourself.

If you choose an alternative such as dancing, however, you will be able to socialize and interact with new friends while you exercise. Many people view exercise as a tedious chore and consequently loathe suiting up for the gym. This is one reason why the New Year’s resolution phenomenon takes place – whereby hordes of people who want to improve their health flock to the gym each January, overrun the gym, and never return after the month is finished. Eventually, they just end up dreading their daily exercise routine because they go through the same motions every time. On the other hand, if you look forward to your exercise routine because of friends and excitement, you will likely exercise more and have fun while you do it.

If you know you need to get more exercise but you just can’t seem to find a way to enjoy it, try out a dance class. What’s the worst that could happen? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

 

Categories: Aging Well, Healthy Living
About The Author
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Joan Lunden’s in-house research and writing team works with Joan to create content that complements her focuses and the interests of her fans. The team is dedicated to creating a thriving community through content and conversations, and hopes their work, like Joan’s, can make a difference in the lives of her readers everywhere.

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