Can dancing boosts brain function and sharpen memory? Various studies have found that dancing can reduce the risk of dementia.
In a research study at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, the researchers found that dancing is linked to a 76% reduced risk of dementia among the participants.
Another study reported in the Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience suggested that dancing enhances cerebral health.
The study also showed that an active lifestyle into old age can preserve cognitive, motor, and perceptual abilities.
So, if you feel like getting older— mentally or physically—it’s time to start taking action. First, of course, it’s always beneficial to walk every day to ensure you’re feeding your body the required nutrition. Mind exercises and even reading are all good habits. But we recommend being active with something to provide your body, mind, and soul a healthy workout.
In this article, we are going to tell you about a kind of cardio that will help sharpen your brain fast, according to science.
Get ready. This type of workout will help you look and feel younger while you’re having lots of fun in the process. Recent research has shown there is a kind of cardio that can sharpen the brain and cultivate an overall healthier life. Continue reading to find out what it is.
Dancing can help sharpen your brain, in addition to giving you some new fancy footwork!
Why Is Dancing Good For Your Brain?
When it comes to slowing the signs of aging, a recent study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience says: Dancing may be a better form of exercise than traditional fitness exercises. That is because of the added mental challenges involved, which include:
- Holding your partner the right way
- Remembering dance steps
- Executing turns
- Recognizing the beat
- Synchronizing movement with music
- Moving in tandem with someone or just “feeling” the rhythm of the music and moving on your own
This recent research reported that when it comes to aging, dancing improves the overall well-being of older individuals, and the benefits are substantial. According to this research done by Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases and reported in the National Library of Medicine, dancing stimulates the brain. It increases intellectual peripheries more significantly than other types of exercises or doing none at all. In addition, you can gain physically, even by performing a short dance session. Also, physiological, motor control and cognitive abilities may improve significantly.
Dancing Stimulates The Brain In More Ways Than One
According to an article published via Harvard Medical School, dancing involves synchronizing movements with music and, at the same time, establishes a “pleasure double play.” Dancing stimulates the brain’s motor and sensory circuits, and music awakens the reward centers in your brain.
Research Backs Up how beneficial dancing is to your brain.
Previous research done by Albert Einstein College of Medicine and reported in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that dancing could improve the condition of your brain. In addition, the scientists discovered the relationship between recreational activities and dementia in participants above 75 years of age. They analyzed eleven activities, including walking, swimming, cycling, tennis, golf, and bowling. One of the activities examined caused a reduced risk of developing dementia in the participants. Can you guess what that activity is? It’s Dancing!
Interestingly, “Social Dance at Stanford” took this research study a step further and analyzed, “what type of dancing can result in enhanced mental intelligence?” They analyzed the results of the group of participants who were studied (seniors over 75). They deduced the main form of dancing these oldies likely performed in their retirement was “freestyle social dancing”—something they did when they were younger. Examples of “freestyle social dancing” include the swing, waltz, and basic foxtrot.
Yet another previous study reported by scientists from Minot State University in North Dakota revealed that Zumba could be a mood booster and can boost the brain’s ability to make decisions, besides visual recognition.
Dancing
In general, dancing is an excellent form of cardio. And cardio, in addition to reducing stress, lowering inflammation, and increasing blood flow to your brain, can improve the health of your brain. So, if you’re feeling motivated – put on your dancing shoes, turn on the music, and feed your body with some entertaining fitness!
So! Whether you’re feeling the urge to tango, salsa, or crank up the 70s top tunes and dance to your heart’s content, you can sharpen your brain and possibly pick up some new moves on the dance floor. And that’s not all— you can show your fancy footwork, and you may be the envy of all of your friends!
About Author: Renu Bakshi, AKA Fitness Buffhq, is ISSA Certified Elite Trainer. He passed 
Personal Fitness Trainer Course, Nutrition Health Coach course & Specialist Exercise Therapy course from ISSA, the USA, obtaining + 97% marks. He shares his experience and knowledge about nutrition and effective workouts to get you in the best shape of your life, no matter how old you may be. The author says: “For me, age is just a number!”
