Benefits of Social Dancing: Top 13 Reasons to Start Now
Social dance is a dance for recreational purposes, instead of performance or competition. It doesn't matter if it's ballroom dance, tango, salsa, cha cha, merengue, or rumba, it can benefit people of all ages. Social dance can be done with a partner or a group of people and as the name indicates, its main purpose is for people to socialize. Let's dive deep into the benefits of social dancing.
1. Keeps Your Body Healthy
What physical benefits can be derived from dance, you may ask?
Plenty!
Dancing is a form of exercise and dance lessons are usually 1 hour long, so you get plenty of fitness in a short time!
Social dancing is also an enjoyable activity and you might be surprised at how quickly time flies. You will be interacting with people and engaging your mind at the same time, which sounds much better than staring at a blank wall on the treadmill, wishing for time to speed up!
Health benefits of dancing include improved cardiovascular health, stamina, flexibility, agility and core strength.
2. Improves Emotional Health
The health benefits of dance aren't limited to just physical health.
Dancing releases dopamine and endorphins.
These chemicals are responsible for the feeling of pleasure and trigger a euphoric feeling, which is good for our brains and bodies. It is the same feeling we get when we eat chocolate or exercise!
Social dancing also engages in the sense of touch - one of the first senses we experience. Touch is the fundamental language of connection. Establishing human-to-human contact can reduce levels of anxiety and depression.
3. Stimulates Your Brain
Social dancing requires the simultaneous use of different muscle groups. When we are dancing, we use our brain differently from everyday life, therefore stimulating different areas of the brain.
Studies have shown that dancing prevents Alzheimer's disease and dementia by slowing down the aging process in the brain.
4. Expands Social Circle
As the name implies, social dancing is a great social activity.
Attending social dance lessons at a dance studio or community center is a great way to meet new people and expand your social circle. It's easier to connect with people with the same interests, so you and your new friends can always discuss all things dance!
5. Improves Social Skills
Social dancing usually requires dancing with a partner or a group of people.
Partner dancing requires communication through body language and instinct. You need to learn how to lead or follow your partner through a shared connection and body language.
Besides that, meeting new people frequently will help you overcome social anxiety and help you relate to people in a social setting. So if you're looking to make new friends, join a social dance class!
6. Good Use of Time
As they say, time is money.
Taking social dance lessons is a great investment in yourself. You are spending precious time learning a new skill. In return, dancing will reward you with a healthy mind and body.
With those two important assets, you will be able to take on other daily tasks confidently.
7. Keeps Stress at Bay
This is a benefit that many people can take advantage of.
Have you caught yourself tapping your feet and nodding your head involuntarily to the beat?
That's because it is innate for humans to move and dance. Music helps to calm a person down, and there is nothing more freeing than dancing to your favorite music.
Social dancing also reduces stress by increasing your connectedness with others.
8. Gains Self-Confidence
Other benefits of social dancing include gaining self-confidence and being comfortable in your own skin.
As you start to advance and master difficult steps, you will feel confident about yourself. Social dancing also improves your perception of body image, self esteem and self awareness.
Eventually, you will feel confident enough to start dancing with strangers at social parties!
These mental benefits will be obvious off the dance floor - in the way you walk, converse with others and solve problems.
9. Improves Coordination and Balance
Social dancing helps to improve the stabilizer muscles. Certain dance styles such as ballroom dance and Latin require the female dancer to dance in heels.
The muscles that help us balance will be improved greatly, and mastering intricate footwork while performing upper body movements will improve hand-eye coordination.
10. Improves Wellbeing
Social dance benefits your wellbeing. When you are keeping your mental, physical and emotional health in check, it will show in other aspects of your life.
When you step into a dance studio, it feels like a separation from the outside world. Dancing allows you to relax and focus on yourself for a change.
Besides that, dancing up close to a partner for an extended time will push you to keep your hygiene habits up.
11. Creative Expression
Dancing is all about self-expression.
Many of us are caught in the 9-5 cycle that favors hard facts and fast numbers over creativity and self-expression. Taking the time to step out of the confined space of the workplace to practice self-expression will teach you lessons on being compassionate and sensitive.
12. Make a Romantic Connection
If you're lucky, Cupid might be on the dance floor with you.
We have seen it many times on the big screen before; boy and girl fall in love performing a fiery and passionate dance.
It is possible that you meet your life partner at a dance class. Or, you may attend a dance class with your partner which will prolong the relationship. Couples who dance together, stay together.
Social dances such as the Paso Doble is a romantic and passionate dance. You and your partner will connect with each other on a more intimate level.
13. Cultural Experience
Expand your horizon and immerse yourself into a different culture with social dancing.
Social dancing provides a rich cultural experience. You will get to discover the origins of dance and meet new people at social activities that may teach you new things about their culture.
Conclusion
With so many benefits of social dancing, what are you waiting for? Sign up for a social dance class now!