The disease of Alzheimer is a mentally debilitating illness that leads to a digressed state of clarity, memory loss, and a potential inability to perform simple tasks. While many people who have the disease are physically healthy for the most part, the debilitation of their minds causes confusion, fear, worry and frustration. In a recent article released by the Mayo Clinic, studies show that men and women, who participate in exercise for thirty minutes or longer, several times a week, will have a decreased risk of falling victim to Alzheimer disease.
Linking Dancing with Physical Activity
Because dancing is so much fun, it rarely seems like a true form of exercise. Many people carry around the stigma that, in order to get adequate amounts of exercise, they must undergo grueling workouts and boot camp-style regimens. This does not have to be the case when it comes to incorporating regular amounts of exercise into a person’s weekly schedule. Dance therapy engages the mind and the body and stimulates a person’s senses. The senses of touch and sight are heightened during dancing, and this promotes an acute awareness of a person’s movements and surroundings.
One of the great things about dance therapy for senior citizens is dance therapy can come in many different forms of dancing. From swing dancing, ballroom dancing, Latin dancing and country line dancing, there are numerous styles to engage seniors and get them motivated and interested in physical activity. Taking dance classes and attending the classes once or twice a week can promote increased physical activity and lead to an elderly person’s body releasing natural endorphins that are key to slowing down the process of mental debilitation.
Dance Therapy Options
There is an acute relationship between deliberate bodily movement and mental function. The more people remain active, the better their chances are of warding off diseases of both the mental and physical nature. Dancing is not only an enjoyable social activity that can be a great stress reliever; it is also a great method for getting consistent exercise. Dancing works out the upper and lower portions of the body and promotes better heart health. Along with promoting better physical health, there have been many studies that show seniors who remain active are less likely to fall victim to mentally-debilitating diseases such as Alzheimer disease.
Promoting better overall health through engaging in weekly dance sessions can be done at home to dance videos, at dance studios during private or group lessons, and also at dancing clubs and banquet centers. Getting together and mingling socially with other adults while dancing and exercising the mind and body has proven to be a great benefit to aging adults who have reached their golden years.
Nisha is a freelance writer currently helping to represent the charity http://www.mhaauchlochan.org.uk
Discover The Positive Benefits Dance Therapy Can Have On Alzheimer Patients
