Dancing your way to HEALTH

Here’s why dancing is an easy way to boost your physical and mental wellbeing

- TANYA PEAREY

We are born to dance,’ says psychologist and former dancer Dr Peter Lovatt. ‘It has enormous health benefits – it makes you fitter, happier and smarter. And it’s free! Who wouldn’t want to tap into that?’

With the potential to burn more calories than cycling, running or swimming, dance is one of the best ways to combine having fun with getting fit, according to research by the University of Brighton. That makes it more likely that you’ll keep doing it and keep reaping the benefits, which include a stronger heart, lungs, muscles and bones, in addition to an improved mood.

‘Whatever your age – and whether you’re a complete novice or an advanced exerciser – you can find a dance class to suit you,’ says Sammy Margo of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. ‘In fact, because dancing is such an innate and natural activity (just think of the way children move their bodies), you’ll even find a class you can do from your chair!’

Your brain

Dancing makes you feel good. ‘The emotional high we get from dancing is down to the dopamine it triggers in our brains,’ says Dr Lovatt. ‘This chemical plays a role in how we feel. Low levels are associated with anxiety, depression and fatigue.’

But moving to music has also been shown to sharpen our thinking skills and may help stave off age-related cognitive decline.