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Dance is a great form of aerobic or cardio exercise. Like running or walking, it burns calories, reduces fat and releases endorphins to make you feel happier and less stressed out. It has additional benefits beyond what more repetitive forms of cardio offer: it also increases muscle tone and coordination, keeps muscles more limber, and, when done socially, can reduce stress and elevate moods more. Of course, the social aspect depends on how comfortable you are dancing among others – you’ll find some tips on overcoming your fear of dancing in public here.
7 reasons why you should dance
- Social connection. Dancing in public places is a way to connect with friends, romantic partners, and even strangers. I know, I know – clubs are loud and irritating, and where else can you go? But look around: there are affordable dance classes at local social centers or Ys. Rock and techno clubs may be obnoxious, but if you’re willing to go to bars that play country music for dancing, you can have an excellent time (and learn actual steps). If you’re really hurting for options, maybe you and some friends could coordinate a regular evening where you get together and dance – even in someone’s rec room.
- Home bonding. Taking a few minutes out of your day to dance with your spouse or romantic partner, or even one or more of your kids, for no reason other than spontaneous joy, can be a great form of bonding.
- Getting over yourself. If you’re hung up on the idea that you look silly when you dance, there’s no better way to get over that than by getting out there and dancing. Make a fool of yourself! If you laugh at yourself while you do it, people can only laugh with you.
- Amusing the kids. Another form of home bonding is when you dance in front of kids, maybe to show them moves that were popular years ago. Many kids will want to learn these steps, which gets everyone involved and connecting.
- Fitness. Like I said above, dancing is great for fitness. Because it offers additional emotional benefits over other forms of cardio exercise – the chance to laugh at yourself and, good-naturedly, at others, the feeling of triumph at mastering new steps, etc. – dance can actually be life-changing for people who are depressed, who experience anxiety, or who are stressed and unhappy.
- Overcoming loneliness. If you’re lonely, dancing can help you meet new people and have something in common with them right off the bat.
- Fun. Laughter is good for your heart, and the brain chemistry involved in having a good time can have long term effects on your health. And who doesn’t need more fun in life?
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Dancing is also great if you’re too competitive and get stressed and angry easily. You burn up all that energy having fun instead!