I come from a family that doesn’t really use the word “exercise” in their vocabulary. For my family, there’s work and then there’s play. One great way to play and avoid the dreaded “e” word is to put the music on and just get to moving.
My mother still talks about putting on a Marty Robbins tape while dancing around the living room holding her first great-grandson. I don’t know who giggled more — my momma or Punk. It was a sight of pure joy. Even though it was 14 years ago, it still brings a smile to my face just to think about it.
What You Need for Joy
The only equipment you need is a radio or stereo and a little floor space. If you subscribe to cable or satellite television, there’s a multitude of genre stations you can tune in. You can choose from so many kinds of music that you will never get bored. You can float around the room with an old-fashioned waltz or do the mash potato with Chubby Checkers. Who can feel bad when you’re remembering your teen years driving around with your friends and singing with the radio on full blast?
Music can take us anywhere we want to go. You can be transported back to your first dance or the night you got your first kiss. Dancing to that music not only improves you physical health but can do wonders for your mental health. We all know where the mind goes, the body follows.
The More the Merrier
If you can, include a cohort in your fun. Dancing with your spouse can be an awesome way to get your exercise while remembering the wonderful times of dancing from the past. Put on the music you had at your wedding reception or that special song you shared when you first fell in love. Make it a daily routine to dance with that special someone. You’ll be strengthening your body and your relationship.
Share with the Next Generation
But you don’t have to have a sweetheart to enjoy dancing with someone. Just try teaching your grandkids how to do the twist or the jerk to some Beatles music. You’ll all have a blast!
One of my special memories was going with my daughter to a birthday party when she was about 12. Her good friend was turning 11 and having a bunch of girls over to sing with her new karaoke machine. A Beatles song came on and I just had to teach the girls to do the pony, the swim and the monkey. It was a riot!
Joy That Lasts All Day
Another great thing about dancing to your favorite tunes is the music stays with you. You’ll find yourself humming to one or more of those songs long after you turn off that radio or stereo. You’ll be reminded of so many great moments in your life that will lift your spirits. So don’t just exercise — get to dancing. It might just become your favorite part of the day.
