Prescription: Dance

Appalachian Regional Healthcare hosts Day of Dance Feb. 28

Appalachian Regional Healthcare System says it plans to unite the High Country with 70 other communities across the U.S. during the fifth annual national Spirit of Women Day of Dance for Health on Saturday, Feb. 28.

The event will combine dancing to different forms of music, such as African drum, belly dancing, clogging, salsa and zumba. Health screenings and consumer education on heart disease and other women’s health issues will also be offered.

This is the third year High Country residents will have a chance participate in this free event, which will take place at the Boone Mall between 10 am and 1 pm. Locally, 300 participants, and more than 90,000 nationwide are expected to dance for their health.

“Dancing can burn as many calories as swimming, walking, or riding a bike — as many as 200-400 calories per hour,” Alice Salthouse, ARHS director of community outreach said.

“If done on a regular basis as a form of exercise, many health benefits result including weight maintenance or weight loss, blood pressure and cholesterol management, increased energy, decreased sadness and depression, increased coordination and muscle strength and an overall sense of well-being.”

Day of Dance for Health events are presented by affiliate hospitals of the Spirit of Women Health Network in 70 cities across the United States.

As Day of Dance for Health takes place during Heart Health Awareness Month, participants are encouraged to wear red shoes, the symbol designed to encourage women to take action for their heart health.

“Dancing can also help develop new social connections as well as enhance and strengthen relationships,” Salthouse added.

According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for American women. The disease kills more 480,000 women a year, about one per minute, yet women continue not to personalize their individual risk for cardiovascular disease.

For more information about Day of Dance, call (828) 268-8961 or visit www.dayofdance.org. For more information about Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, visit www.apprhs.org.