Fred Astaire Dance Studios is celebrating International Day of Older Persons by encouraging people to make the most out of their retirement routine by spending time on the dance floor.

While many people welcome retirement as a time to kick back and relax as a reward for years of hard work, it can be a difficult adjustment for others. After the novelty of being retired wears off, many people flounder as they cope with losing their purpose and identity. Lack of structure to their day contributes to feelings of loneliness and boredom. Struggling to find ways to keep busy can cause stress, anxiety, and may lead to depression. Lack of a regular paycheck can also be a worry. More than two million Americans aged 65 and older suffer from some form of depression, reported Mental Health America, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all.

The outbreak of COVID-19 wreaked havoc on our elderly citizens. Many elderly Americans had to abandon their retirement routine and were forced into isolation to stay safe. Retirees turned to video chats to keep in touch with loved ones and families planned outdoor, socially distant gatherings to spend time with family. Many retail establishments helped by setting aside certain hours of the day so the elderly could shop safely. The rollout of the vaccine provided a welcome relief for our elderly, who were able to resume travel and start spending time with friends and scheduling long-overdue visits with family.

New retirees need to make it a priority to set new goals, manage expectations, and find a social support network as part of a retirement routine. While some people may benefit from tackling a volunteer job, adding exercise to their daily routine, or taking time each day to do the crossword puzzle, Fred Astaire Dance Studios recommends signing up for dance lessons to help ease the transition.

Benefits of Ballroom Dancing

Ballroom dancing has major health benefits, and brushing up on your ballroom dance skills will provide a wealth of entertainment. Here are a few of the health benefits of dancing.

• Burn Calories. Dancing is a low-impact workout that burns calories and improves cardiovascular fitness. It can also help decrease blood pressure and lower cholesterol. Thirty minutes on the dance floor can burn between 200 to 400 calories, which will help fuel weight loss.

• Tone Muscles. Dancing requires muscles to resist against their own weight, which helps improve muscle strength. Performing quick steps, lifts, twists, and turns while dancing helps develop more muscle strength in the arms, legs, and core.

• Protect Bones. Many elderly suffer from osteoporosis, a condition where bones become weaker over time. Research suggests dancing is a great way to strengthen bones. Weight-bearing activities, like ballroom dancing, help maintain bone density.

• Increase Flexibility. Every dance lesson at Fred Astaire Dance Studios starts with stretching to prevent injury. Regular stretching will help improve your range of motion and help your dance skills develop.

• Improve Mental Health. Dancing is a fun, social activity. Ballroom dancing can help enhance your social life and help improve self-confidence, reduce stress, and relieve depression. It’s also a great way to relax.

If you need a little extra encouragement to give ballroom dancing a try, check out these senior citizens getting groovy.

Here is a clip of seniors performing in the final round of a Latin dance competition in 2017 at Disney World Resort Paris.

This compilation of seniors enjoying the music is sure to make you smile and prove it’s never too late to tackle a new hobby.

Over the next three decades, the number of older persons worldwide is projected to more than double, reaching more than 1.5 billion people by 2050, the United Nations reported. In 1990, the U.N. designated October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons as part of an effort to highlight the opportunities and challenges of aging in the 21st century. This year the UN is focusing on digital equity for the elderly.

Learn to Dance with Fred

If you are ready to discover a fun, new hobby that helps you get in shape, contact your local Fred Astaire Dance Studios location to learn more about our introductory offer. We also have an Online Lesson Platform that allows you to stream dance lessons straight to your living room.