From Doctor’s Orders to Dance Floor: How Suffolk County Physicians Are Prescribing Ballroom Dancing to Combat the Loneliness Epidemic
In an innovative shift from traditional medicine, healthcare providers across Suffolk County are discovering that sometimes the best prescription isn’t found in a pharmacy—it’s found on the dance floor. With a social prescription, a clinician refers a patient to a community or cultural activity to bolster their mental and physical health. This groundbreaking approach, known as social prescribing, is gaining momentum as doctors recognize that loneliness can present as great a mortality risk as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
The Science Behind Social Prescribing
The concept isn’t just feel-good medicine—it’s backed by compelling research. A 2023 research review suggests that physical activity can help reduce stress and lower depression and anxiety levels. It also indicates that physical activity can have positive effects on various mental health conditions. What makes ballroom dancing particularly powerful is its triple-threat approach: Regular physical, mental, and social stimulation is the gold standard recommendation for reducing the risk of dementia. Because it involves all three, dancing can be seen as a “triple-threat” option for older adults who want to protect their brains.
Dr. Hashmi’s patient Ruth exemplifies this transformation perfectly. After countless conversations, Hashmi discovered that Ruth’s grandson had left for college right before the vicious chest pains began. She was alone in a dark, empty house, and no one would drive her to the neighborhood dance studio anymore. When her doctor connected her with ballroom dancing again, her twice-a-month ambulance habit vanished.
Why Ballroom Dancing Works
Research consistently demonstrates that ballroom dancing offers unique advantages over traditional exercise. Our study is the first to observe both better cognitive function and improved brain health following dancing than walking in older adults at risk for dementia. We think that social dancing may be more beneficial than walking because it is physically, socially and cognitively demanding – and therefore strengthens a wide network of brain regions.
The social component is particularly crucial for Suffolk County residents facing isolation. Joining a dance class or group allows seniors to meet new people, fostering friendships and reducing feelings of loneliness. Shared interests in dancing can lead to lasting relationships and encourage regular social and physical activity. However, dance classes and community dancing can help give you more opportunities for social interaction. Dancing can help you meet new people in an enjoyable setting. This can also help reduce your feelings of stress and loneliness.
Physical and Mental Health Benefits
The health benefits extend far beyond social connection. Even the gentlest dance styles demand effort, providing a cardiovascular workout. The more extended and faster the dance, the more substantial the benefits. Dancing gets the heart pumping, improving circulation and cardiovascular health. Regular dancing helps maintain a healthy weight, manage blood pressure, and strengthen the heart muscles.
For cognitive health, Exercise increases the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) – a key protein that acts like fertilizer for brain cells by promoting the growth and maintenance of neurons. Similar to one of the many ways exercise benefits the heart, exercise increases the flow of oxygen to the brain and improves brain function. The musical component adds another layer of benefit: Part of what makes dancing unique from other forms of exercise is the addition of music. Musical rhythms stimulate certain areas of the brain often known as our “rewards centers.” These regions are associated with the chemical dopamine, which affects happiness and well-being as well as movement and thinking.
Finding Quality Dance Instruction in Suffolk County
For Suffolk County residents interested in exploring ballroom dancing as part of their wellness journey, quality instruction is essential. Ballroom Dance Classes Suffolk County, NY are available through professional studios that understand the therapeutic value of dance. Located in the heart of Suffolk County, NY, we are the area’s leading ballroom dance studio, dedicated to providing top-quality dance education and unforgettable experiences. At Ballroom Factory Dance Studio, we stand out as Suffolk County’s premier dance studio for several compelling reasons: Expert Instructors: Our dedicated team of instructors brings years of experience and a passion for dance to every class. They are committed to helping you achieve your dance goals.
The Ballroom Factory Dance Studio exemplifies the supportive environment necessary for therapeutic dance. Personalized Approach: We understand that every dancer is unique, so our instruction is tailored to your individual needs and goals. Community and Support: Join a welcoming dance community that supports and encourages your growth as a dancer. This approach is particularly important for seniors who may feel intimidated by group fitness activities.
Accessibility and Adaptability
One of the most encouraging aspects of ballroom dancing as a social prescription is its adaptability. Different dance styles can cater to varying levels of physical ability, ensuring that everyone can participate at their own pace. Low-impact dances are gentle on joints, hips, knees, and feet, providing a safe way to stay active. Simple movements to music can deliver significant health benefits, and as confidence and skill levels increase, more complex dance steps can be introduced.
Even individuals with mobility limitations can participate. For those with limited mobility, dancing can still be enjoyed with modifications, such as using a walker or dancing while seated. Encouraging any form of movement, regardless of intensity, brings both physical and mental benefits.
The Future of Social Prescribing
While social prescribing shows tremendous promise, convincing major payers to reimburse clinics and community groups for social prescribing will require a body of evidence demonstrating its benefits for patients translated into financial savings for the health care system. So far, social prescribing is supported by a patchwork quilt of studies, each making a point about a singular aspect of social prescribing, but none able to speak on its value as a whole. However, the growing body of research supporting dance interventions continues to strengthen the case.
For Suffolk County residents experiencing loneliness, depression, or social isolation, ballroom dancing offers a evidence-based pathway to better health. In its collaborative delivery, social prescribing empowers patients to care for themselves and their communities without a doctor’s oversight. In a suburb of Boston, Ruth—the elderly woman who experienced chest pain until she resumed ballroom dancing—sways in her wheelchair to the slow-slow-quick beats of a foxtrot every week.
As healthcare continues to evolve beyond the traditional pill-and-procedure model, social prescriptions like ballroom dancing represent a return to treating the whole person—mind, body, and social connections. For Suffolk County residents ready to dance their way to better health, the prescription is clear: lace up those dancing shoes and take the first step toward wellness.