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How Dance Can Help Manage Diabetes?

Studies reveal that almost 463 million adults live with diabetes today. By 2045, the number is slated to rise to 700 million. While the numbers in themselves are staggering, it is worse still that 374 million are likely to develop Type 2 diabetes during their lifetime.

Being aware and informed is the first step of diabetic care. Timely detection, intervention, and meticulous treatment form the main course of dealing with diabetes. Medical assistance is imperative to keep blood sugars in check. Besides the prescribed medications, lifestyle change and healthy habits play a key role in managing diabetes.

Diabetes and Health Risks

Apart from being a condition in itself, diabetes impacts the healthy functioning of vital organs. Some complications that may arise due to uncontrolled diabetes include:

Increased risk of strokes or other heart conditions.
Nerve damage, especially to the feet, causes conditions including foot ulcers and infection.
Diabetic retinopathy and related eye problems.
Eventual kidney damage and failure in some cases.

How to Manage Diabetes

While several lifestyle modifications can help reduce the risk of diabetes, the most important preventive measure is increased physical activity. Experts advocate at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity every day. Those with weight-related issues are advised more. Being outdoors for brisk walking, visiting the gym, and playing sports are some of the most popular options in maintaining a physically active lifestyle. One such physical activity which helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels is dance.

As obesity is known as one of the main factors for the development of type 2 diabetes, the study recommends keeping your weight down through physical exercise such as dancing as a way of helping to reduce the risk of diabetes.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Dance Therapy for Diabetes

For those looking for unconventional solutions to manage diabetes, dance therapy could prove to be an interesting choice. One must remember that diabetes can take a toll on your physical, mental and emotional health, and dance can also help relieve stress from diabetes. Besides maintaining physical health, dance also triggers significant levels of positivity.

Benefits of Dance Therapy in Diabetes

The benefits of dance in diabetes are many; it helps maintain the overall health of the organs most likely to be affected by diabetes. The most significant advantages include:

Better heart health: Dancing can help strengthen the heart and help with blood circulation. As little as twenty minutes of dance thrice a week is beneficial. With the lowered risk of heart disease, dance is a proven method to maintain better overall health.
Lowered stress: Dance and music are known to help lowering stress and improve mood. It aids in releasing endorphins that make you feel better and helps you relax more.
Builds endurance: This is especially useful for those who need to lose weight or get more active. Regular dance therapy can help build physical endurance, just like cardio workouts do.
Burn calories: Every dance session can burn up to 500 calories, depending on the dance form and intensity.
Improves balance: Diabetics are consistently advised to be cautious of injuries and falls. Dance helps maintain balance, allows better posture, and gives more control over body movements.

Choosing the Right Dance Form for Diabetes Control

The right dance form for managing diabetes for an individual depends on several factors. Beginners may find simpler forms more suitable. For those seeking intense, high-energy activities, Zumba can be the preferred dance therapy. Experienced dancers can experiment with dance forms they already practise. Medical advice must be sought before signing up for any dance activity to manage diabetes. Do not exert and dance if you have been advised of any restrictions due to orthopaedic problems, heart disease or post-surgery. Talk to your doctor first.

Precautions in Dance Therapy for Diabetics

There is no debate about the importance of exercise for diabetes control. However, any form of physical activity, including dance, must be undertaken with certain precautions. Important considerations include:

Instructor support: The dance instructor must always be informed of the condition and related issues. This will help them suggest the right form and set the most appropriate pace.
Foot care: The feet must always be protected with the right footwear to avoid blisters and wounds. The right footwear prevents injuring your joints while doing a high-intensity activity like dancing.
Suitable pace: It is advised to take things slow. Being cautious is important in preventing hypoglycemia and other problems.
Prepare: Every dance session must begin with a proper warm-up and end with a cool-down session. This can protect against injury and help the body prepare better.
Supplement with medication: Dance may work wonders in managing diabetes, but it is not the cure. All medication must be taken as prescribed at regular times in conjunction with dance therapy.

Conclusion

Alternative forms of exercise for managing diabetes, like dance, are gaining more and more popularity these days. Finding a method that is physically and mentally most conducive for you is the key. Understand your mind and body and choose the best physical exercise that suits you for.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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How Is Body Movement The Key To Good Memory?

There is an evident relationship between body movement and brain function. Physical activities are not only necessary for keeping you fit; they also ensure a healthy brain and good memory. Movement of the body helps supply the brain cells with adequate oxygen, promotes the formation of new connections in the brain and makes you more active- both psychologically and physically.

Certain activities like dancing or exercises warm up your body and prepare you mentally to take on the challenges of everyday life. They increase concentration, memory, reduce stress and lead to better performance in every sphere of life.

Importance of movement to support brain health

Engaging in dance and other body movements helps boost and facilitate creativity. You will notice improvements in cognitive function and it shall also uplift your mood. Daily practice will make you more creative. It has a powerful effect on the body and will open up endless possibilities for you.
Remember that your body is inseparable from your mind and your perceptions, emotions and thinking are a reflection of what’s within you. A person’s mental state can be understood by observing his or her body movements. That is why, for a healthier and happier mind, you will need to keep your body in motion.

Movement of the body can alleviate depression. With the release of happiness hormones such as dopamine or serotonin, you will notice that you feel less burdened with anxiety and gloominess. When you experience happiness, your stress and anxiety are reduced. Dance, exercises, walks and games can help regulate your emotions. As you learn new movements it also means you are aware of new feelings, a better understanding of self and you can overcome depression easily when your mind is occupied with positivity.
Indulging in physical activities creates a change that is good for the brain. It helps you make new connections, tests your brain’s ability to adapt and quickly memorize patterns.

Physical movement helps the brain form neural pathways, which increases cognition, improve memory and help us to acquire knowledge faster. Physical activity also increases oxygen to the brain, which is critical for attention and learning.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Here are a few activities or movements that can boost your memory:

1. Exercise

If you do regular stretching in between work or before work, you will be able to concentrate better. Mindfulness breathing and movement activities, like walks, swimming, cycling, etc. lead to enhanced cognitive functioning.

Researchers have found that people who exercise can rearrange and reconfigure the nerve connections in their brains. It can motivate them to do well, concentrate for longer periods and enhance learning.

2. Dance

Dance therapy is directly linked to reducing the risk of Dementia. It increases your brain’s memory power and cognitive functioning. This therapy is beyond just dancing, it is a way of understanding how your body moves, integration and interaction of your mind and body. One of the benefits of dancing is that it allows you to make quick decisions. This trains your brain to react immediately and recall steps.

There are various ways to carry out the therapy, by using a certain type of music or no music and even involves talking. It plays an important role in emotional development as well.

3. Walk

People often say that if you want to take care of your brain, go on walks. Yes, you have heard it right. Taking regular walks shows positive changes. It not only improves your memory but also takes care of your cardiovascular health. Movements like brisk walking increase oxygen and blood flow to all parts of your body, including the brain. It is extremely beneficial for older people with signs of memory loss.

4. Sports

Indulging in team games and sports can be very competitive and increase your brain function. Your mind and bodywork are in complete sync while playing. It requires you to remember the skills you have learned, improvise and be alert. These improve your natural reflexes and do magic for overall growth and development.

Conclusion:

It is very important to acknowledge your brain health and manage stress. While there are so many different techniques to improve memory, you must remember, what works for someone else may not work for you. You must follow an active lifestyle and remind yourself that moving has a positive impact on your mental health and it can delay memory and cognitive decline due to ageing. Choose what’s best for you, it helps protect your lifelong ability to remember and think.

If you are dealing with mental health problems, seek help from a psychiatrist and always be open to physical activities. It can be of great help in improving your mental and physical health.