Leave the cold weather months of winter behind and dance your way into spring with Fred Astaire Dance Studios.

Buds are starting to sprout on trees, and flowers are beginning to bloom as the cold weather of winter recedes, and warmer temperatures prevail. Restaurants are welcoming nice weather by opening up their outdoor patios. Farmers’ markets are setting up stalls to sell fresh produce, and towns are busy clearing leaves and sprucing up parks to get ready to welcome weekend crowds. In addition, the rollout of the vaccine to stave off COVID-19 is gaining momentum throughout the country and sparking optimism for Americans who are eager to return to some semblance of normalcy as the ice thaws, and spring arrives.

After a dreary winter, the advent of spring is a time of renewal and rebirth. Spring inspires many people to focus on their health. While New Year’s resolutions ended up on the back burner this winter, spring marks a time for new beginnings. Here are a few reasons spring is the healthiest season.

1. Nice Weather. The end of winter and the return of warm weather energizes many people to make healthful choices. The sunshine prompts people to return to outdoor activities, such as walking, jogging, and biking.
2. Abundance of Fresh Vegetables. While comfort foods were a staple this winter, spring compels people to add fresh salads and lighter options to the dinner table. An abundance of locally-grown spring produce inspires many people to adopt a healthier diet as the new season dawns. Research reveals people eat less in the spring when the weather is warm than they do in the cooler months of fall, according to an early study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
3. Longer Days. Americans spend 90 percent of their time indoors, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The switch to daylight savings time adds an extra hour of sunshine to the day and helps encourage people to spend time outside. Having more time to soak up vitamin D can help elevate mood and decrease stress. Spending time outdoors can help reduce stress and anxiety, according to the American Institute of Stress.
4. Tackle a New Hobby. Spring is a time for renewal and growth. Many people start the season by doing a deep cleaning of their homes. They throw open the windows and banish winter clutter. Not only is it a time to clean out your closets, but it’s a time to reimagine how you spend your time. Spring is an excellent time to shake off the cobwebs and try a new hobby.

If you are ready to make a change and try something new this spring, consider taking dance lessons at Fred Astaire Dance Studios. Ballroom dancing is a low-impact aerobic exercise that will help get your heart pumping and put a spring in your step. Dancing improves flexibility and bolsters muscle endurance. It burns calories and will help tone muscle to get you ready to hit the beach this summer. Endorphins released when dancing can help further reduce stress and anxiety. If you’ve spent the last year social distancing and avoiding crowds, a dance lesson at Fred Astaire Dance Studios is a great way to test the waters as we begin to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Fred Astaire Dance Studios follow all local health and safety guidelines to protect our students and instructors. In addition, they offer an Online Lesson Platform that allows you to stream a dance lesson from the comfort of your home, where you can perfect your moves before heading out on the town.

Check out some of these movie clips of dancers enjoying the warm weather of spring.

In this iconic scene from “The Sound of Music,” the ballroom doors are open to allow guests to enjoy the moderate temperature outside. Maria is teaching one of her charges to dance in the outdoor garden when his father cuts in. Maria and the Captain perform the Laendler, a traditional Austrian folk dance involving hopping and stamping the feet.

Gene Kelly is immune to the warm California rain as he celebrates his new love by dancing in the streets in the movie “Singing in the Rain.” Using his umbrella and various lamp posts as props, Kelly wowed moviegoers with his smooth moves and catchy tune.

Any ode to spring would be remiss if we didn’t include this oldie but goodie. In this clip from the movie “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” the couples sing an ode to the season.

If you’re ready to get your toes tapping and your feet moving this spring, contact your local Fred Astaire Dance Studios location to learn more about our Online Lesson Platform or to schedule a lesson at one of our studios.