Dancing has many positive effects on the body and mind: it strengthens the heart, improves blood circulation, helps tone muscles, reduces stress, releases endorphins, and even helps improve interpersonal relationships. Now, a recently published review and meta-analysis determines that dancing is also just as effective as exercise in terms of psychological and cognitive outcomes. This means that dancing can help improve the quality of life of people with early stages of Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; and it also helps reduce anxiety and improve depressive symptoms. “Like exercise, dancing has a positive effect on mental health,” says Alicia Fong Yan, study coordinator and researcher at the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Sydney (Australia).
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