Have you ever danced and had sweat pouring down your face, soaking your clothes, and felt like you didn't have a care in the world? If so, you will know that dancing can be a reviving and exhilarating experience; if not, then it's about time you did because dancing is therapeutic for the mind, body and soul. When we dance, as when we exercise, laugh or have sex, endorphins - morphine-like hormones - are produced in our brain, which make us feel euphoric and eases both our mental and physical pain. Studies have found that those who dance regularly have a more positive outlook on life, which, following on from last week's column, may be the ultimate key to happiness and health. Nothing is as bad as it was, after a good dance. Indeed, a recent study indicates that levels of serotonin - another chemical released in the brain that gives us a "happy feeling - is also increased after dancing. This study found that dancing improved the psychological distress of patients suffering from mild depression. Dancing engages our mind as we learn and repeat steps, and according to a recent study, this may help thwart senile dementia (abnormally accelerated deterioration of mental capabilities). This landmark study found that dancing can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia in the elderly. Furthermore, those who danced four times per week showed a 76 percent lower incidence of dementia than those who danced only once per week or not at all. The thinking and retention skills used while dancing count as a cognitive function, that is, a mind exercise, which is thought to reduce the risk of dementia. Since time immemorial and throughout the animal kingdom, dancing has been used as a way to enchant and attract, and a recent study has shown that skillful dancing is indeed linked to desirability. A group of dancers were judged by a peer group, and those found to be the best dancers, happened to be those that had the most symmetrical bodies. Evolutionary, body symmetry is linked with such traits as longevity, strength and reproductive success in many animal species, including humans. Thus the ability to dance well seems to be directly related to attractiveness. But then we all knew that already; a good dancer can be mesmerizing. Perhaps the best reason for refraining from sitting on the boring sidelines, is that dancing is a great aerobic exercise, which works our cardiovascular system, tones our muscles and counts as a weight bearing exercise. The side-to-side movements of many dances strengthen our weight bearing bones and can help prevent or slow loss of bone mass (osteoporosis). Studies of recreational ballet dancers between ages 8-14 show higher bone mineral content in their hips and spine than in girls who did not dance. Joints also benefit from dancing because of the repetitive mild use of the joints, which keeps them lubricated and can reduce symptoms of arthritis. Regular dancing, three times a week, can be just as beneficial as spending the same amount of time on a treadmill or exercise bike, according to a recent study. Dancing has the same benefits of reducing the risk of coronary heart disease, lowering blood pressure and helping in sustained weight loss. Studies show that music motivates people while exercising and helps them lose more weight than those who don't listen to music. The music we hear while dancing keeps us going on for longer than we would without it. Which type of dance you choose will determine how many calories you burn but if you live in Egypt (and are a woman) it would make sense to take up belly dancing. Ingrained in Egyptian culture and currently undergoing a cult revival, belly dancing is estimated to burn over 380 calories an hour. As well as improving posture, muscle tone, and flexibility, it is a very sensual and erotic dance that can do wonders for your self esteem (and perhaps your love life). Other types of dance like ballroom dancing and salsa dancing are estimated to burn over 300 calories an hour, and have the added bonus of eliciting hugs in some of the positions, which can be emotionally therapeutic. Disco dancing, perhaps the most popular and easiest dancing to do, seems to burn the most calories of all, with an estimated 550 calories an hour being dissipated on the disco dance floor. The benefits of dancing on our overall wellbeing are reason enough to dance whenever there is an opportunity. Add to that the positively fun social implications and the magical connections that can occur with a dancing partner, regularly putting on your 'dancing shoes' may be an enlightened step towards health and happiness. May El Meleigyholds a Ph.D in Immunology (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine), an MSc in Toxicology/Pathology (Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London) and a BSc in Pharmacology (University College London). May is a medical and health journalist, and is a regular contributor to the British Medical Journal, Lancet, and WHO bulletin. May also produces health programs for Egypt.
