Do you feel exhausted, overworked, and burned out?  In our Western culture, we are encouraged to hurry about:  Work our 9-5 jobs, pick up the kids, walk the dog, get groceries, make dinner, and oh, don’t forget to go to the gym too!  It’s so easy to wear yourself out from living this busy lifestyle.  Some have been doing this routine for the majority of their lives just begging for the day they can retire and catch a breath.  But then what?  Perhaps you have retired, and you’re actually wondering what to do now that you no longer have that 9-5 job or those little munchkins running about the house.  I’ll tell you what you do.  Social dance.  Dance?  Yes, you dance.  Think Country Two Step dancing, Latin Salsa dancing, or the fun of Swing dancing. Sound a little more exciting?? Here’s why I think your tired soul needs dance to spice up your life.

First, you deserve it. Be good to yourself.  You’ve mastered the art of “everything”, from child rearing to your job.  There’s no situation you haven’t handled with the grace of an Olympic ice skater balancing porcelain plates on her head and finger tips.  So now is the time to give back to yourself.  Do something that is not only fun, but good for you too.  Social dancing is one of the best leisure activities a person can do for him/herself.  The benefits of dance are all over the spectrum, but today I’m going to touch on the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of getting your feet moving on the dance floor.

Physical:

The physical benefits of dancing are numerous.  I could write you a book on all of them, but I’ll keep this short and sweet for your sake.  The most pronounced are increased balance, posture, and flexibility, but if you aren’t interested in those, you can be sure of increased muscle tone (and who doesn’t want more of that?).  The benefits don’t stop there.  Social dancing, from Bachata to Ballroom, is also good for boosting the immune system and reducing your chance of heart disease.

Mental:

Oh, the mental benefits of dancing!  Here’s a shocker for you.  Did you know dancing can dramatically reduce your risk of acquiring dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease?  It’s true!  A study done by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City over a 21 year period, discovered dancing reduces the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease by an incredible 76%!  The study tested both physical and mental activities such as reading books, completing crossword puzzles, playing golf, tennis, and walking to name a few.  The study revealed dancing reduces your chance of dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease more than any other physical activity.

Emotional:

Ever notice how dancers have a certain aura about them?  They seem to be more confident and comfortable in their own skin.  Ever wonder why?  The reason, dance allows people to become more aware of their bodies and expressive with the movement of it.  Social dancing gives them a safe, creative environment to be themselves.  It also reduces the amount of tension an individual holds.  Wouldn’t you feel great after a night out on the town Salsa dancing? Many people dance to shake off the stress of a long day at work.  They may recharge their batteries in a hopping social scene such a club, bar, or ballroom floor.  Others love the simplicity of going home pushing the living room furniture to the side, plugging in their favorite Country or Swing dance tunes, while taking it easy with their partner, letting the music slide over them, and allowing the dance to melt their cares away.  Whichever you prefer, dance is the perfect stress relief outlet for anyone.  And who knows, it may add to the romance in your life and create a few new friendships.

Now that you have discovered just some of the benefits of becoming a confident dancer, it’s your turn to give dancing a try. Dance FX Studios’ New Student Offer for beginner dancers is a great place to start if you live here in the Phoenix East Valley. Come experience the joys of social ballroom dancing and see how you can spice up your summer in no time.