I have a very important medical announcement for all of you: Dancing is good for your life!
Yes, it is so very true! Having worked for so many years in Castlegar, I can tell you first hand that there are a lot of mental health issues and cardiovascular problems out there. And dancing is a primo way of overcoming all of them. And don’t worry that you might have two left feet – I do, but my wife and I have been dancing for several years now and we’re still talking to each other!
Dancing has been studied up, down and all around. And there is no way to side step or two step the fact that it is so good for you on many fitness levels.
• It boosts cardiovascular health. In fact, just getting off your couch and moving reduces cardiovascular disease and mortality. Dancing is exercise, and we know exercise is good for the heart. It doesn’t require fancy equipment or expensive gym passes. And it burns calories, so it is a great way to trim some weight and get you away from the snack inducing habits of watching TV or doom scrolling on the computer.
• It builds flexibility and core strength. We’re talking balance here. Building stronger muscles in your pelvis, abdomen and butt. It helps keep you strong so you avoid falls and stay on your feet. I’m not talking solely about jive, waltz, rumba or square dance, I’m talking getting around your house and yard, skiing, hiking and keeping steady in the fishing boat.
• Dancing builds strong bones. Any weight bearing exercise increases bone strength which decreases the risk of hip and back fractures. Stronger bones also reduce the risk of osteoarthritis.
• It prevents memory loss. This is an important one to remember. The brain is a muscle like any other and it thrives on exercise, be it physical or mental. Trust me when I say that dancing is a great mental exercise; learning new dance moves, planning those moves with your partner, listening to a square dance caller or the cues of a round dance and executing the moves. Dancing gives us those little cognitive challenges that sharpen the thinking and combat dementia.
• It boosts your mental health. Research shows that dancing can decrease anxiety and depression; it can increase self-esteem and psychological wellbeing. It will definitely shake off those winter blues! It also relieves stress by turning off the monkey mind and giving the brain something better to focus on.
• Dancing connects us socially. It is a great way to help with loneliness. You get to hang out with like-minded people to learn, laugh and enjoy. It connects you to others and it connects you to something bigger than yourself.
But I think the most important health reason to come out and dance is that it is fun! So much laughter! So many smiles! Dancing is just good for the soul in every way! You don’t have to be good at doing all the moves. You can mess up time after time. But I can guarantee that one day, you will go to a wedding or party and there will be dancing and you will get out of your chair, grab a partner and start dancing. You will look awesome, and you will have a blast!!
So come dance – here are some options:
Round dancing – Wednesday evenings, Robson Hall. First night free. For information contact ray_deb@teulus.net
Square dancing – Thursday evenings, Kinnaird Hall. Singles welcome, first night free. For information contact ray_deb@telus.net
Ballroom dancing – Friday evenings, Kinnaird Hall. For information contact Luis Marinelli at thekootenaybeat@gmail.com
