24.6.18

6 Healthy Benefits Of Ballroom Dancing Ottawa Seniors Should Know About

By Susan Powell


It's easy for seniors to get isolated, slow down physically, and become depressed. Eating right and exercising regularly are goals too often put off. For those who aren't interested in hitting the gym everyday, the ballroom dancing Ottawa professionals offer can be a great solution. Not only is it a fun activity, it has solid health benefits.

This activity will tone your muscles. Spinning, fast turns, and quick stepping are great for building muscle strength and toning your legs. You probably won't notice it, but as you dance with your partner, you are both participating in a form of resistance training. Men might not be able to lift their partners over their heads, but leading them around the dance floor will tone arms and abs.

Dance will help prevent osteoporosis. As people age their joints and bones start to get brittle and stiff. Dance is low impact, It's safe for those who have recently had knee and hip replacement surgery. Dance strengthens bones making it less likely that falls and other accidents will result in serious injury.

Dance increases flexibility. If you don't stay active, your muscles will begin to get stiff. Muscles atrophy when people don't move. You can avoid that with dance routines. They will work all your muscles as you turn and twist. Even warming up is helpful. On your own you might not think to bend and stretch. Both men and women benefit from the muscle stretching that dance requires.

Dance burns calories. As people age, their metabolism slows down. This can cause weight gain even when you aren't eating more than you used to. Weight gain often makes exercising harder, and a lot of seniors eventually stop moving. Almost everybody can dance, on some level. It's easier, and more fun, than lifting weights and cardio. As you lose weight your attitude will improve.

Dance will improve your endurance and condition your total body. If you find yourself huffing and puffing when you try to walk up a flight of stairs, your endurance levels have dropped. Dance is a wonderful way to elevate them. Most classes start off slowly to give everybody a chance to get used to the activity. As the sessions lengthen, you will find yourself lasting longer and longer.

Dance is good for your brain. Losing themselves to dementia is one of the biggest fears seniors have. With no known cause or cure, this disease eventually wipes away a person's whole life. Scientists believe that stimulating spatial memory is a critical component to a healthy brain and preventing Alzheimer's. You are using spatial memory as you learn dance steps.

Growing older isn't always easy. It takes determination and motivation to keep moving. Dance is a great way to exercise your whole body and stimulate your brain. Along with the health benefits, you'll enjoy the time you spend socializing with new friends.




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