Get your white guy shuffle on. It's good for your health.
You don't need to be professional dancer, have Courtney Cox as a partner, or even have rhythm.
Moving your body to music is good for your mental and physical health.
If you don't believe me, try dancing for 10 minutes and see how you feel. It's hard to be in a bad mood after dancing. It's like your body is winning an argument against your mind.
And depending on your enthusiasm level, it can be a good source of exercise.
Still skeptical? Here's some research.
A 2014 meta-analysis found:
"Results suggest that [dance movement therapy] and dance are effective for increasing quality of life and decreasing clinical symptoms such as depression and anxiety. Positive effects were also found on the increase of subjective well-being, positive mood, affect, and body image."
And specifically for the aging adults:
"Any dance style can induce positive functional adaptations in older adults, especially related to balance. Metabolic improvements may also be a result of dancing."
Although the aging adult may not want to start by Dancing in the Dark.
What to Do
- Take dance lessons
- If you're in pain, find a Dance Movement Therapist
- Turn on music while cooking and move to the music
- Go out to bar/club with your significant other, or alone, drink some liquid courage, embrace some humility, and dance (some Asheville recommendations)
- Throw a dance party in your house with your family (get the kids away from the screens and into their body)
- Or if you're self-conscious about your moves, dance in private when no one is looking
Bruce
On a semi-random side note, I've been listening to Bruce Springsteen's autobiography on Audible.
I wasn't even a huge Bruce fan before the book, but now I'm obsessed. I highly recommend it if you have any interest in music.