Dance 2 Health and Well-being
Positive mental well-being protects physical health and
improves health outcomes and recovery rates, notably for coronary heart
disease, stroke and diabetes. Poor mental well-being significantly increases
the risk of poor physical health and is associated with poor self management of
chronic illness and a range of health damaging behaviours, including smoking,
drug and alcohol abuse, unwanted pregnancy and poor diet. Stress epidemiology
demonstrates the link between feelings of despair, anger, frustration,
hopelessness, low self-worth and higher cholesterol levels, blood pressure and
susceptibility to infections (Brunner and Marmot 1999). For heart disease,
psychological factors are on a par with smoking, high blood pressure, obesity
and cholesterol problems.
Health and well-being
It is now time to give credence to the mounting evidence
that
‘happiness/ life satisfaction’ might be as powerful a
predictor, if not more powerful than some other lifestyle interventions such
as smoking, diet and physical activity.The psycho-social factors related to
these factors is significant.
Well-being can be expressed as a sense of Being, Belonging and Becoming
Ø
Being -Life satisfaction -Personal
growth, Sense of worth /gratification,Self- acceptance, Positive outlook,
Affection and
Understanding
Ø
Becoming- Personal development &
Justice
Ø
Belonging - Positive relations,
Aspirations/ hope for the future,
Connectedness to place and wider built
and natural environment
Dance is good for everyone’s well-being for all ages and all
cultures. Dance generally refers to human movement either used as a form of
expression or presented in a social, spiritual or performance setting. Moving
to music appeals to our most primal instincts: dance has been a part of culture
for
as long has man has walked the planet. It stimulates the
senses - sight, sound and touch - it's great fun and it's good for our bodies and
minds.
Why is Dance is good for health
and well-being
•Good for everybody
• Burns the calories
• Good for bones and joints
• Good for your mind
• Builds Friendships
• Lifts your mood
The promotion of positive
well-being is at the heart of developing the Liverpool Local
Area Agreement and the updated Liverpool City Health Plan.
Liverpool has been a designated World Health Organisation Healthy
City and member of the European Network of Healthy Cities for the past two
decades. Liverpool has made a significant contribution to development, thinking
and delivery based on the ‘Healthy Cities’ approach.
Healthy Cities Approach
Ø
Tackling the determinants of health and reducing
the risk conditions to
well-being
Ø
Taking action on our main health concerns
Ø
Supporting healthier lifestyles
Ø
Enhancing well-being
Ø
Targeting specific geographical areas, population
groups and working through
settings
Ø
Access and Opportunities for ALL
The WHO European Network of Healthy Cities promote and
participate in a WHO Healthy Cities International
Day of Dance held in May each year.
This provides an opportunity to showcase different styles
of dance and promote local dance organisations.
The Creative Communities Team within the Liverpool 08
Capital of Culture Company now take a leading role in promoting dance and
well-being more widely.
The Liverpool Local Area Agreement
Seeks to ‘Accelerate Delivery and Change Perceptions’
- To reposition the City through an inclusive European
Capital of Culture and its legacy.
- To grow a Competitive and Sustainable Economy
- Build Vibrant and Healthy Communities
- Create Opportunities for All
Liverpool Healthy Cities has led the development of the
Healthier Communities and Older People Block.
A key a
im is to build an Arts and Health infrastructure that is
supported and resourced through partner organisations to create innovative ways
of delivering the LAA which will achieve better well-being outcomes for the
people of Liverpool. Creating a strategic framework for the promotion of
improved health and well-being is essential for long term sustainable
commitment to the arts and culture including dance. Some examples
of dance initiatives include an approach to healthy ageing
which covers the life span. Whilst safeguarding the health of the older
generation today it is necessary to lay the foundation for good health
and well-being in the early years of life. Dance for older people as
a key element of the Active City programme through the Active Ageing
Network including both the physically active ‘come Alive at 55’
etc groups and less active individuals in residential care. There are
numerous projects across the age range with children, young people and
adults involving different cultural and dance styles. Of particular
note is a programme with disaffected young men undertaken by Merseyside
Dance Initiative and evaluated by Liverpool John Moores University demonstrating
improved health and mental well-being outcomes as a result of participation
in the dance project.
Julia Taylor