National Dance Day: Dance your way to better health with Make The Play winner, Marissa Orzame
2 min read
So you think you can dance?
You may have heard this question before, and Saturday, July 27, is the perfect opportunity to show off your moves. That’s because Saturday is National Dance Day, a day when dancers of all skill levels are encouraged to get active and feel the rhythm of the beat.
If you’re anxious about strutting your stuff, remember, dancing provides a number of health benefits backed by science. Anyone who has danced before knows it can be a fun cardio exercise, but research shows it can also help improve balance and flexibility, and lead to healthier food choices. According to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, dance routines that require coordinated moves and memorization of specific steps can boost memory function, which helps prevent against conditions like dementia. And other research shows that dancing with a partner is an effective way to reduce stress as well.
If science doesn’t have you convinced about the powers of dance, just take the word of Marissa Orzame, our 2013 Make The Play contest winner. Check out her first video blog post below!
This year’s Make The Play contest finalists were asked to submit a video about how they would make Michigan a healthier place. Can you guess how Marissa wowed the judges? That’s right, by dancing. At home, at the mall, in restaurants and on the streets, Marissa got people of all ages excited to bust a move, including FOX 2 News reporter Amy Andrews and Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.
In celebration of National Dance Day, take a tip from Marissa and get your feet moving to the beat – your mind and body will thank you. And be sure to check back for more videos from Marissa about the benefits of dance and the importance of staying active.
