Here’s something that might surprise you: The WHO (World Health Organisation) has recently announced that loneliness is becoming a global health crisis.
Social isolation has been increasing – DESPITE us being more connected than ever – with telephones, messaging services, Zoom and the internet. One in four – that’s 25% of adults – report feeling lonely, some or all of the time.
This isn’t just a problem affecting older people either and nor is it about just feeling a bit lonely – the science shows that lack of social connections with friends, family or just being isolated from other people can put you at risk of many health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, dementia, depression, and anxiety. Poor social connection even raises your risk of early death by 30% – which is comparable to smoking, excessive drinking, and obesity combined. That really is shocking!
Which brings me onto why doing things – like dancing – with other people, such as in a class is SO important. Strong social connections can boost your chances of living longer by 50% and cut your risk of the lifestyle diseases mentioned above.
Obviously, people vary in the degree to which they seek out the company of other people but, as humans, who are social beings, we all have a deep-rooted need to connect and interact with others.
Did you know that being with other people, moving in unison with them, creates unconscious feelings of ‘belonging’. That’s why exercising alone at home or following online classes or fitness apps doesn’t generally work very well. Humans need to be with other humans.
Any activity that involves group participation, where everyone is doing the same thing – like dancing or even singing or sitting knitting in a group, all increase your oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine levels, making you feel happier. Even weight loss groups use this to create a common bonding experience as this helps you remain focused.
Think about any friends you met at a group activity. Often people start a class, make friends and then meeting up, chatting or having coffee after classes sometimes becomes more important than the actual classes themselves. And there is nothing wrong with that, as positive relationships and shared activities contribute to our well-being, especially as we age.
Life events, such as retirement, bereavement and ill health, can reduce our social network and make it harder for us to stay socially active, but if you have already established a relationship with others at a group class, you’re much more likely to keep going, even through harder times.
The good news for people like me who run classes is that with the growing interest in Lifestyle Medicine, many doctors are now prescribing social connection as a way to combat depression and to help people add not only years to their life but also health and well-being to those years.
And, when I say dancing isn’t about the steps (which I do often) it’s because the steps are only leading you to what is really important – moving your body and being with others.
See you on the dance floor!
International Dance Teachers' Association