Why contributing to your “Wellbeing Pension Pot” could be the best investment you ever make.
When you hear the term “pension pot,” you probably think about saving money for retirement, ensuring financial stability in later life. But what if we applied the same concept to our health and wellbeing?
Imagine a “wellbeing pension pot”—something we invest in across our lives to increase the likelihood of living a healthier, more fulfilling life as we age. Just as with financial investments, the earlier you start contributing, the greater the potential rewards.
Dance, as part of a lifelong preventative health lifestyle, can play a powerful role in building up this wellbeing pension pot. Not only does dance offer immediate physical and mental health benefits, but the consistent, long-term practice of dance can contribute to increased resilience, reduced risk of chronic disease, and a higher quality of life in later years. Let’s explore how dance can be one of the most enjoyable and impactful ways to invest in your health and wellbeing for the long haul.
Physical Health Benefits
Dance is a full-body workout that improves cardiovascular health, builds strength, and enhances flexibility.
Research shows that regular physical activity, like dancing, can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, it can reduce the negative consequences of some infectious diseases, diabetes, and it can lead to faster recovery times for some types of cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2024), engaging in regular physical activity helps control weight, strengthens bones and muscles, and even improves balance—a key factor in preventing falls as we age.
Mental Health and Cognitive Function
Dance is more than just physical exercise; it’s a mental workout too – involving learning and memory, spatial awareness, problem-solving, attention and synchronisation.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that engaging in a range of leisure activities – including dance – can improve cognitive function and may help reduce the risk of dementia by up to 63% in older adults (Verghese et al., 2003). The combination of physical movement, memorizing steps, and coordinating with music stimulates the brain in unique ways, enhancing memory, concentration, and overall mental sharpness.
In a recent review of the literature on the effectiveness of structured dance interventions across the lifespan, Fong Yan et al. (2024), conclude that “undertaking structured dance of any genre is generally equally and occasionally more effective than other types of structured exercise for improving a range of psychological and cognitive outcomes”.
Social Connection and Emotional Wellbeing
Loneliness and social isolation are significant health risks, especially for older adults.
Dancing, whether in a class, at a social event, or even online, offers opportunities to connect with others, fostering a sense of belonging and community. Social interaction is essential for mental health and can even have physical benefits, such as reducing blood pressure and boosting immune function.
Social connection can be a life-saver. In a meta-analytic review of 148 studies, including over 300,000 participants, Holt-Lunstad, Smith and Layton (2010) found that those people with stronger social relationships showed a 50% increased likelihood of survival at follow-up compared with those with the weakest social relationships.
Dance provides a fun, dynamic way to build and maintain social connections throughout life. Of course, being in a dance space with someone else is wonderful – and you also get a benefit even when you attend online classes.
Following the Covid-19 pandemic, a group of researchers (Humphries et al., 2023) found that attending online dance sessions was associated with enhanced social and community connectedness. They also found that attending online dance classes was associated with increased positive affect and self-esteem and decreased negative affect and depression.
Investing in Dance as Part of Your Wellbeing Pension Pot
By incorporating dance into your lifestyle, you’re making deposits into your wellbeing pension pot. The beauty of dance is that it’s accessible to people of all ages and abilities—whether you’re dancing in your living room, attending a local dance class, or taking part in one of the Doctor Dance Breaks at work, you’re making an investment in your future self.
Incorporating dance into your routine doesn’t require a substantial time commitment or a significant financial investment. All it takes is a commitment to move, express, and connect. Every step, twirl, and groove contributes to a healthier, happier you. So, put on your dancing shoes, and start building up that wellbeing pension pot today!
Interested in learning more about the power of dance for health and wellbeing? Join me at Doctor Dance to explore dance routines that support both mind and body. Let’s start investing in a healthier future together!
Dr. Peter Lovatt
14th October, 2024
References
Verghese, et al. (2003) https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa022252
Fong Yan et al. (2024) https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-023-01990-2?trk=public_post_comment-text
Holt-Lunstad, Smith and Layton (2010). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20668659/
Humphries et al. (2023) https://bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40359-022-01034-w
Doctor Dance Breaks https://doctordance.com/dance-breaks/
