6 Reasons Why Dancing is Good for Your Brain
When you consider the health benefits of dancing, you might think of increased flexibility, stronger muscles, and other physical outcomes associated with being active. But did you know that dance lessons are also good for your brain? Read this article to discover why.
Dancing Makes You More Intelligent
“Intelligence” is the ability to make good decisions quickly. One effective way to become more intelligent is to participate in activities that demand split-second decisions. Dancing is a perfect example of this—it’s a fast-paced activity that forces your brain to quickly decide which way to turn, how to move, and how to react to those around you.
Dancing Boosts Cognitive Memory
The more complex your neural synapses are, the better your memory is. Learning anything new, such as choreography to a dance routine, is an effective way to create new neural pathways. As a result, your brain has an easier time accessing stored information and memories, such as names and places.
Dancing Enhances Muscle Memory
No one can deny that there are both mental and physical aspects of dance lessons. You physically exert yourself, which requires strength and stamina, and you remember choreography, which calls for a good memory. Muscle memory is the connection between these components. In fact, the process of “marking” a routine—walking through the movements—is an effective method of encoding choreography. This allows dancers to repeat the moves with greater fluidity once they perform them full-out.
Dancing Diminishes Depression
As with other forms of physical exercise, dancing releases endorphins, a brain chemical that gives you a “runner’s high” after working out. However, dancing may have an even stronger effect on the mind. After all, moving your body to great music is enough to boost your spirits. Then, there’s the sense of satisfaction that comes from working toward and achieving your goals.
Dancing Decreases the Risk of Dementia
As a young dancer, you may not be concerned about the cognitive decline of old age just yet, but a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine states that dancing decreases the risk of dementia by 76 percent. Other physical activities such as bicycling, swimming, and playing golf had no effect. Yet, dancing was even better for maintaining mental acuity than cognitive activities such as reading and doing crossword puzzles.
Dancing Helps Combat Dizziness
Have you ever noticed how professional ballerinas can pirouette endlessly without getting dizzy? Research suggests that ballet dancers’ brains adapt to stop them from feeling dizzy. After years of training, they gain the ability to suppress signals from the inner ear that are linked to the cerebellum, making them resistant to feeling dizzy. If you have balance issues, rewiring your brain with dance lessons could help, even at the beginner level.
If these are the kinds of benefits you want for your child, consider signing them up for dance lessons in Cupertino, California! To learn more about Dance Academy USA, please contact us by phone or email.