Start Swinging, be Smarter
by Hong Bin Hong
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Introduction
Dancing is not only for fun but also a form of fitness. There are many purposes of dancing such as expressing emotion, ideas, stress, releasing energy, or staying fit. Researchers have confirmed that dancing improves brain functions and, at the same time, boosts our memory. Dance requires physical, emotional, mental, social skills, which allows you to improve in these areas; while it benefits the brain and increases overall health.
Boost memory and coordination
The Albert Einstein College of Medicine (2003) published a study that reported that dance could be a powerful way to improve the brain’s health. The following factors are measured in the research.
Memory
Sense of well-being
Serotonin
Stress Levels
The cerebral cortex and hippocampus elements are very elastic and consistently revamped after each use; dancing uses these elements of the brain and increases the revamped amount.
The hippocampus, where cognitive function and balance, memory consolidation, learning, and navigation reside
The motor cortex, which dictates planning, control, and voluntary movement
Nerve Growth
Dancing also stimulates nerve growth factors. It also incorporates complex movements and motor learning, creative expression, and interpersonal communication. Dancing activates many areas of the brain, including those not typically involved in the movement. In a study published in the “Journal of Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews,” dancing stimulates neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new neural connections to change and adapt. While dancing, some brain areas will be stimulated, and neuroplasticity improves one’s mental capabilities.
One of our brain's abilities is to make decisions, and dancing can help us improve our decision-making skills. Dance requires dancers to make many split-second decisions, wherein critical thinking skills are used. Making as many split-second decisions as possible is the key to maintaining our cognitive abilities.
Reduce Dementia
Dementia is the impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that significantly interfere with everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that dancing can help make people smarter. Studies show that dancing is effective in reducing the risk of dementia. The following are the percentage of activities that can reduce the risk of dementia. And within the 5, dancing has the highest, which means dancing is the most effective activity in reducing dementia.
This list shows how different exercises impact the risk of dementia.
Reading – 35% reduced risk.
Bicycling and swimming – 0%
Doing crossword puzzles at least four days a week – 47% reduced risk
Playing golf – 0%
Dancing frequently – 76% reduced risk. The greatest risk reduction of any activity studied.
Stress
Stress is defined as simply “the brain’s response to any demand.” It is produced when we encounter things that are unfamiliar to us.
And dancing can reduce stress; stress can kill brain cells and even reduce the size of the brain, which brings a lot of adverse effects on the brain. The reason why dancing can reduce stress is that dancing is an exercise that reduces stress naturally; one purpose of the dance is to release energy, which can reduce stress. Another reason is music played while dancing; according to studies, music can effectively reduce stress as it reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Conclusion
Dance has many positive effects on our brain. It benefits our brain by boosting memory and coordination, stimulating nerve growth, reducing dementia, and reducing stress. Dance is for everyone; take the first step out. Anybody Can Dance!
References
Bernstein, R. (2016, July 26). The Mind and Mental Health: How Stress Affects the Brain. Touro University WorldWide. https://www.tuw.edu/health/how-stress-affects-the-brain/
Dance Away Your Stress. (2019, November 15). Fred Astaire Dance Studios. https://www.fredastaire.com/blog/dance-away-your-stress/
Dancing Tango Makes You Smarter!!! – Argentine Tango Lessons in Tucson Arizona. (2014). Learn-To-Tango.com. http://learn-to-tango.com/blog/dancing-tango-makes-you-smarter/
News-Medical. (2019, June 26). Is Dancing Good for the Brain? News-Medical.net. https://www.news-medical.net/health/Is-Dancing-Good-for-the-Brain.aspx
Thoma, M. V., La Marca, R., Brönnimann, R., Finkel, L., Ehlert, U., & Nater, U. M. (2013). The effect of music on the human stress response. PloS one, 8(8), e70156. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0070156
What Is Dementia? (2021). https://www.cdc.gov/aging/dementia/index.html#:~:text=Dementia%20is%20not%20a%20specific,a%20part%20of%20normal%20aging.
Will Dancing Make You Smarter? (2021, April 13). Dance on Q. https://www.danceonq.com.au/will-dancing-make-smarter/
Villavicencio, D. (2016, September 23). How Dancing Makes you Smarter. Arthurmurraydancenow.com. https://www.arthurmurraydancenow.com/blog/how-dancing-makes-you-smarter
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