AARP Eye Center
News To Know: Dance Your Way To Health And Happiness
By Dave Goldstein, April 21, 2009 10:38 AM
Science Daily recently had an article on the health benefits of dancing. And I'm not talking about being a professional dancer either; social dancing may help older adults not only stave off sickness, but actually counteracts declines associated with aging:
Recommendations include the expansion of social dance provision for older people in order to aid successful ageing and help older people enjoy longer and healthier lives. Jonathan Skinner, Lecturer in Social Anthropology at the School of History and Anthropology at Queen's, studied the effects of social dancing amongst older people in Northern Ireland, Blackpool and Sacramento, USA. Dr Skinner said: "I have found that social dancing leads to a continued engagement with life - past, present, and future - and holds the promise for successful ageing. It contributes to the longevity of the dancers, giving them something to enjoy and focus upon - to live for. It alleviates social isolation and quite literally helps take away the aches and pains associated with older age.
While this study didn't necessarily have ground-breaking findings, research like this is refreshing to see; there's nothing like a reminder that dancing can be the best medicine a person can have!