Groove to Improve: Exploring the Holistic Benefits of Dance

Does dancing really improve your physical, emotional AND social well-being? Yes, it really does!

Physical Well-Being

Just like any other form of exercise, dancing improves cardiovascular health. It doesn’t matter which type of dance you participate in—your heart rate gets challenged from executing different moves.

Dancing also improves balance and strength since it incorporates movements on multiple planes of motion. It can be gentler on the body than other forms of exercise, making it a viable option for people with limited mobility or chronic health issues.

Dancing also boosts cognitive performance, including your ability to think as you age. It challenges your brain, improving the areas that control memory and skills, such as planning and organizing.

Emotional Well-Being

Dancing can release endorphins, which is the body’s natural way of boosting your mood. It’s also the “letting loose” that helps reduce stress and symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Social Well-Being

Another great characteristic of dance is its inclusivity—if you’re able to move even just a portion of your body, you can dance. That’s what makes it a great social activity: anyone can participate.

Although you may prefer to dance while no one is watching, there’s something special about dancing with others. As an advocate of well-being, Wespath organizes group activities for its employees and encourages them to attend. One of our staff, Kim H. (Information Technology), has been co-leading periodic line dancing sessions since 2024.

“I took up dancing in college as a form of exercise and a hobby to occupy my evenings,” said Kim. “After I graduated, dancing became dormant—until I visited my parents. My father line-dances once a week, and when I joined him for one of his sessions, I was inspired to resume dancing more regularly.”

“When I’m dancing, I’m in the moment; everything else fades into the background,” noted Kim. “Whether I’m dancing alone or in a group, I feel carefree and happy. There's nothing quite like it.”

Kim was motivated to bring line dancing to her colleagues after it was widely enjoyed during Wespath’s annual summer staff event in 2024. “We all had such a fun time, and I thought, ‘Why should this be a one-time thing?’” recalled Kim. “I figured I could use my experience with line dancing to give my coworkers a moment to decompress during the workday.”

During the staff line dancing session in March 2024, Kim co-taught employees to line dance to “Stand by Me”—check out Wespath’s dance moves:

To learn this simple line dancing routine (and—who knows!—potentially introduce it to your own community), watch this instructional video. If you’re enrolled in Personify Health, you can track your dance exercise and overall progress toward your health goals.

You can also explore other styles of dance that suit your interests, such as ballroom, contemporary, jazz or salsa. Let go of your inhibitions and sign up for a class at your local dance studio or fitness center at a level you’re comfortable with!