Let’s end the week with a little fun…
Because I love being able to remind you that staying healthy doesn’t always have to be hard work.
Case in point: New research shows that dancing—yes, dancing—may be one secret to a vibrant life after menopause.
Manage weight and mental health
It’s no secret that the transition to menopause can introduce new health problems for a lot of women.
Postmenopausal women are more likely to see increases in belly fat, experience poorer heart health (thanks to unsteady triglyceride and cholesterol levels), and have a heightened risk of falls and broken bones (due to declines in muscle mass).
Ultimately, this adds up to declines in mental health, too—with drops in self-image and self-esteem adding fuel to the fire.
So if something as simple—and as fun—as dancing can counteract those effects, I’m all ears…
This new study, recently published in the journal Menopause, recruited 36 postmenopausal women with a mean age of 57 years. Subjects danced for 90 minutes, three times weekly, for 16 weeks.
Researchers evaluated a host of parameters—including body fat, lean body mass, cholesterol levels, functional fitness levels, self-image, and self-esteem—at both the beginning and end of the study.
In the end, they found that dancing lowered cholesterol levels, boosted both fitness and body composition, and increased self esteem in the process.
Recharge your brain
I’m always emphasizing the power of consistent exercise. But this study is a good reminder that it doesn’t really matter what you do, just as long as you do it.
That said, this isn’t the first study to look at the benefits of dancing, specifically. In fact, you may recall a study I shared a few years ago, which showed that dancing delivers major benefits to your brain, too.
It makes sense when you think about it. An activity like dancing requires sensory input from multiple parts of your brain, and it engages your whole body in the process.
Not to mention, in any form of exercise, switching things up is always going to yield better benefits. And dancing involves constantly changing choreography (which you have to memorize), moves that challenge your balance, and multiple different patterns of movements.
This essentially puts your mind and body in a constant state of “learning.” And this might explain why dancing fosters neuroplasticity (your brain’s ability to form new neural connections throughout your life) better than traditional repetitive training activities.
Dancing also tends to be more social than a solo workout—which plays a huge role in stalling cognitive decline, too. (The social aspect also helps increase motivation.)
The bottom line? Whether you’re struggling through menopause or simply trying to keep your memory sharp as you age, this is one case where you really can dance your troubles away.
For additional ways to stay vibrant and “age younger”, I encourage you to check out my Ultimate Anti-Aging Protocol. To learn more about this innovative, online learning tool, or to enroll today, click here now!
Source:
“Postmenopausal women can dance their way to better health.” Science Daily, 08/28/2021. (sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/07/210728105640.htm)