Whether your children are away at school or you’re already in grandparent mode, there comes a time for every Empty Nester when life gets monotonous and lazy. Exercising just isn’t fun anymore – or practical – and it may seem like nothing can engross you and get you excited like when you were younger. Even if your spouse is home to keep you company, things can get boring unless you find new and interesting ways to spend quality time together.
The good news is that you are not alone! There are many Empty Nesters just like you out there looking to stay active and engaged. They have found their fountain of youth in something that has been entertaining people of all ages for centuries: dancing.
Keeping Your Mind Active
Sudoku and crossword puzzles can only take you so far. As we age, it’s important to keep our minds healthy and active. You may have never considered it, but dancing is actually a very thoughtful activity. It requires lots of concentration and memorization, especially in the early stages as you are learning new steps to a dance. It also requires a lot of interaction with peers, instructors, and your partner, enhancing your social and “people” skills.
Dancing can improve your:
- Spatial awareness
- Brain function
- Self-confidence
- Social awareness
- Overall wellbeing
Keeping Your Body Active, Too
Exercises like weight lifting and running may have worked when you were younger, but now your body may not be able to handle the strain – or the impact. And even if you have no physical limitations, exercising alone provides no social benefits.
Dancing is a very physical sport, but the great thing about it is that it can be done at any age and with any physical limitation. If one dance move doesn’t work for your body, then there are always plenty more to try.
Dancing is excellent for your:
- Heart
- Lungs
- Muscle tone
- Strength
- Flexibility
- Endurance
- Coordination
Leaving the Nest is More Fun Than Ever
At Arthur Murray Dance Center of Ashburn, we have students from all walks of life. Some are preparing for their first dance as a couple while others are looking to reconnect with their spouse after retirement. No matter how much experience you have or your reasons, our skilled instructors will have you waltzing and swinging out on the dance floor before you know it.
If you’re an Empty Nester, there’s a good chance that you’ve spent the majority of your life attending to the needs of someone else. Now it’s time to focus on you and your health and wellbeing. Dancing can keep your mind engaged, and it may even cause you to lose those pesky pounds that have been lingering around your midsection for years. Be careful, though, once you master that first dance, you may never stop!