Mary Klootwyk
For older adults and retirees, square dancing offers a variety of benefits for your physical health, mental sharpness, and social well-being. It is a fun, low-impact activity that is specifically well-suited for older adults looking to stay active and engaged in their community.
Physical Benefits
Square dancing provides moderate, low-impact aerobic exercise, which is excellent for overall physical fitness.
Cardiovascular health: Regular participation can lead to a slower resting heart rate, lower blood pressure, and an improved cholesterol profile.
Balance and coordination: The directional movements and footwork help improve motor skills, dynamic balance, and agility, which can significantly reduce the risk of falls.
Strength and bone density: The weight-bearing, side-to-side movements strengthen bones in the legs and hips, helping to prevent or slow bone mass loss (osteoporosis).
Weight management: An average of 200-400 calories can be burned in just 30 minutes, equivalent to walking or biking. Dancers can log up to 10,000 steps (3-5 miles) in a single evening’s dance session.
Mental and Emotional Benefits
The unique combination of physical movement and mental processing provides a strong workout for the brain.
Cognitive function: Square dancing requires participants to listen to a “caller” and react quickly to commands, which forces the body and brain to be tightly coordinated. This challenge enhances short-term memory, processing speed, and the integrity of the brain’s white matter, potentially reducing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Stress relief and mood boost: Focusing on the calls and the music provides a welcome escape from daily worries, promoting a positive emotional experience and helping to manage stress, anxiety, and depression.
Positive aging attitude: Studies have shown that older adults who participate in square dancing develop a more positive attitude toward aging, fostering a sense of self-efficacy and psychological resilience.
Social and Community Benefits
Retirement can sometimes lead to social isolation, but square dancing offers an instant community.
Social connection: It provides an easy way to meet and make new friends in a supportive, non-competitive, and alcohol-free environment. Many participants form lifelong friendships or even meet their spouses at clubs.
Sense of belonging: As a group activity where participants work as a team within their “square,” it fosters a strong sense of belonging and community, which is crucial for overall well-being.
Low barrier to entry: Modern square dancing has a casual dress code (sneakers are fine), uses a variety of music from pop to rock to country, and is welcoming to beginners, with a focus on fun over perfection.
In short, square dancing is an engaging and economical activity that can help you age actively and happily by keeping your body moving, your mind sharp, and your social calendar full.
For more information about square dancing here at SaddleBrooke Ranch, go to saddlebrookesquares.com. Live Lively—Square Dance!