One of the worst things you can do when you’re feeling down in the dumps is hide your face under a blanket, and cry your eyes out as you play an unfortunate event in your head on an endless loop.
Look, we get it.
It’s important to allow yourself to be vulnerable; to let it all out and allow yourself to heal. But when you’re continually drowning your sorrows in a tub of Ben & Jerry’s, you end up feeling sorry for yourself instead of working on empowering yourself.
And we all know self-pity is the antithesis of power.
The Psychology of Dance
No matter who you are or what you’ve gone through, you’ve got to give yourself the opportunity to bounce back—and have fun doing it! Remember, immobility inhibits you from reaching for your goals, whereas getting fit can change your perception of pain and help you regain control of your life.
So, infuse your life with positive mobility—starting with some upbeat music! (Because you really don’t need an occasion to bust some moves to Hall & Oates)…
But I’m Not Much of a Dancer…
Here’s the thing: you don’t have to be!
Dance workouts aren’t necessarily designed to qualify you for Dancing with the Stars. Their primarily role is to get you on your feet and improve cardiovascular fitness without a boot-camp style approach to staying mentally alert and physically in shape.
Consider the overwhelming popularity of Zumba—a dance workout that offers a treasure trove of psychological and physical benefits, known to improve the quality-of-life scores for a number of women.
According to a study published by the Human Kinetics Journal, working out with a dance instructor may lead to:
- Increased core and trunk strength
- Improved self-esteem
- Greater autonomy + sense of purpose
- Weight loss
- Stress relief
- Lowered risk of brain disease
- Increased social confidence
Shall We Dance?
Is weight your biggest enemy? And exercise a close second?
Dancing is tailor-made for people who don’t enjoy the monotony of routine workouts. As for weight, you can burn up to 443 calories in an hour while doing some fancy footwork!
With music being your ultimate guide, there’s a genre and dance routine that fits everyone—including seniors!
If you’re a busy New Yorker, looking for a quick and convenient option to get back in rhythm, dance your way to FitEngine and schedule a fitness class with Tasha Norman!
