Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan proposed introducing zumba dance at the state’s schools to improve children’s mental health. He has asked the Education Minister to check whether it can be introduced at the beginning of next year, at a meeting the CM called to discuss the impact of stress and drugs on youngsters. He also mentioned that various drugs, ouija board, movies and reels too are impacting the mental health of children. Meanwhile, can dance forms like zumba help the youngsters improve their mental health for real? Here’s what experts say:

Zumba is an aerobic dance fitness programme that features movements from various cultures. While Latin American dance and music forms predominantly influence it, zumba is also performed to Indian regional music and dance beats, Arabic tunes and even other cultural rhythms. It is part of extracurricular activities in various colleges and schools of Kerala, already. The Harvard Medical School says dance has many beneficial effects on the brain and is even used to treat people with Parkinson’s disease. The faculties of the University of Sydney also says that preliminary evidence suggests dance may be better than other physical activities to improve psychological wellbeing and cognitive capacity. Apparently, the findings are true both in adults and youngsters.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tips to do zumba right for mental health

If you want to try zumba for mental health, here are some tips that can help you get the best results from the routine:

1) Select the zumba style and intensity that you like – Advanced, intermediate or beginner; classic, regional or other variations

2) If you feel intimidated to dance in a class, join an online class.

3) Focus on the stress relief rather than just moving the body or getting the steps right

4) Breathe well while dancing

5) Stretch well before and after the class

6) Drink enough water and eat right to be energetic in the class

In Step

I enjoyed the article “How Dance Promotes Brain Health” (February/March 2025). A new skill that I recently learned and am continuing to refine is Indian classical dance. While learning these dances, I realized that my brain has been undergoing significant changes in terms of retention and memory. My motor coordination is increasing, and the neurons in my brain are quickly responding to the music and beats required to perform the specific steps. — Erikka Chowdhury, MS, Elmwood Park, NJ

Square dancing is different from other types of dancing. The calls can be done individually, as a couple, or in unison with all eight dancers in a square. In order to learn and retain the calls, some serious brain work must be done. The challenge to the brain is reacting when you hear the call; you have to know which way to go.

I promote square dancing with the slogan, “Fun, fitness, and friendship.” The need for socialization, especially as we age, is extremely important for our well-being. One of my callers said, “When you have things bothering or upsetting you, and you go square dancing, your brain is so totally focused on dancing that you forget your problems and enjoy the activity.” I quickly realized that he was absolutely correct. — Judith Mason, The Villages, FL

Invisible Illness

I appreciated the February/March 2025 issue’s focus on “invisible” illnesses. I have temporomandibular joint [problems], migraines, a shoulder injury, and occipital neuralgia.

I’m very aware that a lot of people do not understand the pain I experience and its effect on my quality of life. Even common actions, such as wiping a counter, cause me pain. I don’t have much interest in socializing. That is depressing, but even more so are the reactions I get from others when I try to explain the causes of my pain. I wish more people would realize that others can have chronic pain that isn’t outwardly visible and that it can have a profound effect on their lives. — Brenda Henderson, Terre Haute, IN

I read with great interest your recent article on the invisible symptoms. I acquired an autoimmune condition in April 2021 and later idiopathic transverse myelitis. In May 2021, I checked out of the hospital in a wheelchair. With ongoing rehab, acupuncture, and physiotherapy, I am now able to manage walking on flat surfaces well. There is an overwhelming amount of unknowns, and, as you bring to light, the invisible pieces of these conditions: brain fog, sleepless nights, and anxiety over any ache or pain. Cheers to those who continue. We are stronger than we know. — Tracy Riench, Winnipeg, Manitoba, CANADA

I have suffered with severe leg pain most of my life. In 2022, I finally received a diagnosis: painful legs and moving toes (PLMT) syndrome, a rare neurologic disorder characterized by severe burning; shooting pain in the legs; involuntary, shock-like jerking in the legs; and/or involuntary toe movements. I have tried many medications over the years and still have not found the one that works for my pain management. It is very difficult to describe my diagnosis to others because I don’t “look sick or disabled.” Thank you for bringing silent suffering into the light. — Debbie Zavatsky, Spring Grove, PA

Your article [on invisible illnesses] really struck a chord with me. In 2010, I had two brain tumors surgically removed. I had two more tumors shot with radiation in 2013, two more in 2023, and two more in 2024. The side effects of all the trauma to my brain from the original surgery and subsequent radiation has made every day a struggle. My cognitive abilities have taken a hit. If you are sitting across the table from me, I look fine. But if I’ve been sitting for more than an hour and try to walk away, you’ll get a glimpse into how not-just-fine I am. — Kirstine Chvala, Palmer, NE

Support for CADASIL

Thank you for the profile on Maggie Spolizino regarding CADASIL [cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy] (“Raising Awareness for CADASIL After Losing a Loved One,” February/March 2025). My husband has the disorder. It is a rare thing to have but still needs awareness and support. We live from day to day. He has had strokes and has dementia from it. Any support we can get is wonderful. Keep up the good work, Maggie. — Pam White, Weeki Wachee, FL

Finding Help

I believe my brain function has been affected by a concussion sustained several years ago. Brain & Life is an incredible resource, whether or not someone experiences or knows someone experiencing a brain health issue. Knowledge is power, and everyone should be reading this publication to get a better understanding of people affected by these disorders. I’ve appreciated the mental health strategies, coping skills, exercise topics, and most of all the compassion in the articles. — Tina Merwin, Milwaukee, WI

Submissions

Letters to the editor can be sent to BrainandLife@wolterskluwer.com. Please include a phone number or email address. Although we cannot respond to every letter or dispense medical advice, we will do our best to reply.

Dance isn’t just a joyful expression, it’s a powerful tool for enhancing brain health.

Recent studies show that dancing can improve memory, mood, and even alleviate symptoms of neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease.

A 2003 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that among 11 physical activities examined, only dancing significantly reduced the risk of dementia in older adults.

Researchers attributed this to the mental effort and social interaction involved in dancing, which stimulate brain function.

For individuals with Parkinson’s disease, dance offers therapeutic benefits. Programs like Dance for Parkinson’s Disease (DfPD) have shown that regular dance sessions can improve balance, motor skills, and overall quality of life.

A study from Stanford University reported that twice-weekly dance classes led to measurable improvements in movement and endurance among participants.

Moreover, dancing has been linked to mood enhancement. A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research revealed that dance classes not only reduced depression symptoms in Parkinson’s patients but also showed positive changes in brain activity related to emotion regulation.

Incorporating dance into your routine doesn’t require professional skills. Whether it’s a Zumba class, ballroom dancing, or simply moving to your favorite tunes at home, the key is to stay active and enjoy the rhythm.

As research continues to unveil the cognitive benefits of dance, it’s clear that this joyful activity is a step in the right direction for brain health.

Dancing for as little as 20 minutes a day could help you hit your daily exercise targets. (Getty Images)

A new study by Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, has found that just 20 minutes of dance each day could help you hit the recommended exercise target.

The research, which involved 48 participants aged 18-83, looked at oxygen intake and heart rate measurements during five-minute bursts of dance, and it found that all adults were able to reach a health-enhancing level of activity.

Participants were also told that it didn’t matter which genre of dance they chose, the intensity level – or even the setting in which they did it. Rather, the point of the study was to see if there were easier ways to stay active.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

“Dance is a really accessible form of physical activity that people can do, even in their homes,” Aston McCullough, from the university, said. “They just put on their own music and danced around.”

But beyond staying active, there are many other health benefits associated with dancing. We take a look at five of the top perks dancing around your kitchen can offer.

1. Cardiovascular health

Dancing has been linked to better cardiovascular health. (Getty Images)

A study of 48,000 British people found that moderate-intensity dancing is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

Of the sample group, dancers had a 46% lower risk of cardiovascular death compared to those who rarely or never danced.

2. Mental health

It has also been found to improve mental health. (Getty Images)

Not only can dancing help you keep fit, it has a wide range of mental health benefits. If done in a social setting, dance can help improve connections and reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

As dancing increases the levels of serotonin – or the “happy hormone” – it can also improve overall mood, lower stress levels and reduce anxiety.

3. Brain health

Dancing can also boost cognitive function and help improve memory. (Getty Images)

In addition to its mood-boosting effects, dancing can also promote learning, memory and navigational skills. One study suggested that a 30-minute salsa class boosted spatial working memory by 18% after just one session.

Dancing has even been linked to a lower risk of dementia, with a 2003 research paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine finding that regular dancing reduced the risk of dementia by 76%.

Other studies have also indicated that those already with dementia and Alzheimer’s may benefit from dance, showing that regular exercise helps improve the quality of life of those with the disease.

4. Therapy for Parkinson’s

Studies have also shown that dancing has benefits for those with Parkinson’s. (Getty Images)

Dance has also been shown to have many benefits for those with Parkinson’s. According to Parkinson’s UK, not only can it help with posture, core strength and coordination, dancing can boost confidence, allowing those with the condition to move more freely and have a sense of freedom from their disorder.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

A 2024 study by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) also suggested that ballet dancing, specifically, can improve the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Aleksandra Podlewska, one of the main researchers for PD-Ballet, said: “With conditions like Parkinson’s, we currently don’t have any pharmacological interventions to stop the progression. What we do know, however, and that’s where it gets really exciting, is that Parkinson’s progresses slower in people who do any type of exercise. And people who exercise more throughout their lifetime are less likely to develop Parkinson’s.”

5. Weight management

Dancing burns calories and can help promote weight loss. (Getty Images)

A scientific review published last year showed that not only is it easier to commit to a type of exercise you enjoy, dancing may be better for weight loss than other forms of exercise.

ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement

Published in scientific journal PLOS One, the paper reviewed 10 studies and found that dancing improves body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and fat mass. It also burns a significant amount of calories while promoting muscle strength and growth.

Read more about health

One of the highest-intensity types of dancing, incorporating jumps, spins and quick footwork, street style is ideal for raising the heart rate.

“The movements are strong in street dance and it’s energetic, which is great for getting the blood pumping,” says Stephenson, whose dance-based workout programme is called The Dancer Body. “It’s fun, too – it doesn’t feel gruelling like running on a treadmill can.”

For me, this is by far the toughest style: as I try to master the footwork, keep up with the fast pace of the music and, just when I think I’ve got it, switch to a new series of moves, I’m scrambling. I’m also quickly out of breath and sweating profusely – not to mention certain I look ridiculous. But it’s also exhilarating, and where I usually find the time drags during exercise classes, concentrating so hard takes my mind off clock-watching and it flies by.

If you’re older or less agile, a less vigorous style of dance such as ballroom will also boost heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

One Australian study, which examined data from 48,000 British people, found that those who engaged in weekly moderate intensity dancing had a 46 per cent lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease compared with those who rarely or never danced.

“I work with people of all ages, and anybody can get cardiovascular benefits from dancing,” says Stephenson.

For better brain health: Jazz