Who doesn’t LOVE to dance?!
You should dance more! Dancing isn’t just fun and a great workout, it’s also fantastic for your brain. Let’s go ahead and dive into the science behind shaking your behind.
Dancing Unlocks Your Brain’s Potential
Think of dancing as a full workout session for your brain. One systemic review looking at a bunch of studies and published in Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews has shown that dancing can significantly impact your brain health.
Builds Better Brain Connections
Dancing helps your brain make information flow easier. It strengthens the connections between different parts of your brain, improving your thinking, memory, and coordination. Plus, dancing can boost connectivity between both cerebral hemispheres, helping your brain work more efficiently.
Harness the Pleasure of Music and Movement
In a 2008 article in Scientific American, a neuroscientist from Columbia University highlighted the pleasure “double play” of dancing. Syncing music and movement activates both the brain’s reward centers and its sensory and motor circuits. This means that dancing isn’t just enjoyable—it’s also a brain booster. The same study also shows that long-term dance practice positively impacts brain activity, leading to improvements in cognitive function and overall brain health. The more you dance, the healthier your brain becomes.
Shake Your Tail
The next time you hear your favorite song, don’t sit it out—get up and dance! Dancing is an easy way to keep your brain sharp and healthy. Plus, it’s a fantastic stress reliever and a great way to express yourself creatively.
Turn UP the Volume and DANCE!
Sonja Stilp, M.D. is a mother, athlete and the founder of RISE. Dr. Stilp is board-certified and fellowship trained with advanced training in regenerative medicine and biohacking. She is the medical director at Golden BioHack. If you’d like to hear more about your health and wellness schedule an appointment to meet with Dr. Stilp at RISE in Golden, Colorado.