The Joy of Dancing: The Many Health Benefits of Hitting the Dance Floor

I’m still basking in the sheer joy of a wonderful night out in Liverpool with some of my girlfriends.

We went to celebrate Carol’s 65th birthday, she is a rock chick, loves her metal and rock music, so I was surprised and delighted when she chose a night out with ‘Disco for Grown Ups’, 70s, 80s and 90s dance music, with a DJ and dancers on stage. I have seen more and more of these events advertised online, Love Train is a favourite of mine too.

My kind of music! I love Nile Rogers and Chic, Sister Sledge and all things disco.

We ditched our usual black clothes and leather jackets for sequins and hit the dance floor.

We were given neon glow sticks to wear around our necks, and to wave and we danced the night away.

Pure joy! I did 26,500 steps according to my fitness tracker, and I have to say this is the kind of exercise that I love to do. I am not naturally sporty, and very aware of the fact I spend too much time sitting down, at my laptop, or driving my car.

Dancing can offer several benefits for women of any age, but particularly as we get older :

1. Physical Fitness: Dancing is a great form of cardiovascular exercise, which helps improve heart health, stamina, and overall fitness levels. It can also aid in maintaining a healthy weight and improving flexibility and balance, which are important for older adults to prevent falls and injuries.

2. Mental Well-being: Engaging in dance, especially to music that you love, can boost mood and reduce stress. It stimulates the release of endorphins, the body's natural feel-good chemicals, which can promote a sense of well-being and happiness.

3. Social Interaction: Joining dance classes or social dance events provides an opportunity to meet new people and build friendships, which is beneficial for mental health and overall quality of life. It combats loneliness and enhances social connections.

4. Cognitive Benefits: Learning new dance routines and steps challenges the brain and helps maintain cognitive function. It can improve memory, concentration, and coordination, which are all important for cognitive health as people age. Why is it I can’t remember why I went into a room, but I can remember all the lyrics from a song from the 1970’s? Maybe you can relate?

5. Emotional Expression: Dancing allows for creative expression and can be a form of self-expression and empowerment. It encourages us to express ourselves physically and emotionally, which can be particularly fulfilling for older adults.

6. Fun and Enjoyment: Perhaps most importantly, disco dancing is fun! It brings joy and a sense of nostalgia, evoking memories of youth and happier times. Having fun while exercising makes it more likely that I will want to do it again and reap long-term health benefits. Indeed I have done more kitchen dancing at home this week which really lifted my spirits on a rainy day

And so it leaves me with the thought of what thing can you do this week that's going to improve your health and your happiness?

If you need any help with anything, as always reach out to me, let me know what you're up to, or if you've got any questions, any thoughts on this and if you've been dancing lately, especially if like me a you are a woman in her 60s, get in touch send me some pictures. I'd love to hear from you. Remember to stay safe and stay sane! and have a wonderful week 

Thanks for reading it means a lot to me, Gabby x

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