- 1. Helps you lose weight
- 2. Stimulates memory
- 3. Improves posture and flexibility
- 4. Reduces stress
- 5. Avoid depression
- 6. Improves balance
Dance is a type of sport that can be practiced in different ways and in various styles, with a different modality for almost all people, according to their preferences.
This sport, in addition to being a form of creative expression, still brings many benefits to the body and mind, being a great option for those who do not like, or cannot, practice high impact exercises such as football, tennis or running, for example.
In addition, there is no age limit for dancing and, therefore, it is an activity that can be started in childhood or adulthood and maintained until old age, continuing to have several benefits.
1. Helps you lose weight
Dance is a type of aerobic activity that allows you to burn up to 600 calories per hour, according to the speed and intensity of the modality being practiced. Thus, those who do hip hop or zumba burn more calories than those who do ballet or belly dancing:
Dance type | Calories spent in 1 hour |
Hip hop | 350 to 600 calories |
Ballroom dance | 200 to 400 calories |
Ballet | 350 to 450 calories |
Belly dance | 250 to 350 calories |
Zumba | 300 to 600 calories |
Jazz | 200 to 300 calories |
In addition, as it is a fun activity, dancing makes the weight loss process less boring, helping people maintain a regular exercise plan throughout the week.
2. Stimulates memory
Dancing is a type of activity that requires a good memory capacity, not only to decorate schemes, but also to remember how each step is done perfectly. Thus, this is a good option for those who need to stimulate their memory, as over time it becomes easier to decorate new steps and schemes.
As it involves a lot of brain activity, dancing also helps to prevent the deterioration of nerve cells in the brain, which can improve aging and prevent the onset of dementia or diseases like Alzheimer's.
3. Improves posture and flexibility
Poor posture, which usually develops at work due to sitting at the computer for a long time, can be responsible for many types of back pain, as it causes small changes in the spine. In these cases, dancing can be quite beneficial, since, to dance, it is necessary to maintain a good posture with the spine straight, contrary to the changes that arise at work.
As for dance styles that have steps with high kicks or very complicated figures, as in the case of ballroom dances, dancing can also improve flexibility, since it helps to stretch the muscles and keep them more relaxed.
4. Reduces stress
Because it is a fun activity, but at the same time complex, dance allows you to forget about various types of problems and focus only on what you are doing. Thus, it is easier to release the stress accumulated during the day at work or at home, for example.
5. Avoid depression
Most dance modalities involve classes where several people are present, which increases social interaction and avoids the isolation that is often responsible for leading to depression.
In addition, dancing is also a lot of fun and works both body and mind, which leads the body to produce more endorphins, which work as natural antidepressants, fighting possible symptoms of depression.
6. Improves balance
In almost all types of dance there are steps that require a lot of balance, such as turning on one leg, standing on tiptoe or maintaining the same position for some time. This type of steps, helps to develop and strengthen a group of supporting muscles that improve balance during day-to-day life.
Thus, there is a lower risk of falls in daily activities or of developing injuries by lifting weights.