Do you remember a time when cigarette smoking was accepted, and even considered cool? What about smoking inside, or while you were pregnant? If you didn’t already know it, this was OK at one point in time. Can you believe it? Now that we’re (mostly) all educated on the horrible effects of cigarette smoking, many of us have quit to get healthy and take care of our bodies.

There’s a new norm, though, and that has come with X Box and endless television channels (not to mention all the amazing Netflix Originals that can keep you glued to the couch for hours on end). This leads me to share what is now a “thing”, and that is that what everyone seems to be talking about these days, “sitting is the new smoking”.

You see, our bodies are actually meant for movement, and being inactive can lead to many unwanted effects. From increasing the risk of heart disease to slowing down the digestive process (which can lead to bloating, constipation and heartburn), a sedentary way of life is not ideal. According to an article titled, “Here’s What Sitting Too Long Does to Your Body,” by Dr. Mercola, too much sitting can take years off your life. He writes, “The more hours you spend sitting in a day, the shorter your lifespan may be. One study found, for instance, that reducing the average time you spend sitting down to less than three hours a day could increase your life expectancy by two years.” Now if that doesn’t make you want to get up and move, I don’t know what will.

So what can you do to get moving and have a little fun in the process? How about exploring popular social dances like Country dancing, or Latin and Swing dancing? Dancing is like a workout, but without knowing it! And, in my humble opinion, going out dancing on a Friday night is so much more intriguing than spending an hour on the treadmill. So if you’re ready to make a change for your health, I say give social dancing a try! Here are just a few of the health benefits that social dancing has to offer:

1. Dancing raises your heart rate. Again, you’re enjoying a new skill while getting fit at the same time. You can even burn up to 500 calories in an hour’s time, just through dancing! With faster social dances like Salsa dancing and Swing dancing, you can be swept off your feet at the same time you shake off the pounds. Now that’s fantastic! Grab a partner, head out to your local Country bar or Latin club, hit the dance floor and get that heart pumping as you dance the night away!
2. Dancing releases endorphins. When your endorphins are released, you are feeling great! Who can’t use a little more happiness in their lives? Plus, dancing brings people together, and making social connections is so much more fun and important than staying at home night after night in front of the tv.
3. Social dancing strengthens your muscles. As stated on our website, “Stronger core muscles earned through dancing over a period of time will keep the spine in alignment and improve spinal flexibility. These physical benefits can aid in relieving or erasing upper back and neck pain, not to mention improving balance, coordination and body presence.”

If you’re a Netflix junkie and need a bit more balance in your daily routine, reward your body with dance lessons! With social dance lessons, you will get some great tips on how to go out and look your best social dancing. Trust me, dancing is tons more fun when you know how to lead or follow in all of the styles that you see out today. So get off the couch and contact your local dance studio asap! You’ll be so glad you did. 🙂