■ 280 gr (1 full cup) of Persian Yellow Split Peas (these taste the best)
■ 2 teaspoons turmeric
■ 2 teaspoons salt
■ 4 dried limes
■ 2 tablespoon lemon juice
■ 1 tablespoon rose water
■ 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
■ 1 pinch red pepper
■ 750 gr diced lamb shoulder
■ 1 pinch ground Persian saffron
METHOD
Soak yellow split peas in hot water.
Start frying the diced onion with a little oil on medium heat.
When turned slightly brown, add diced lamb shoulder. Turn up the heat to seal the meat. When meat is sealed, lower the heat and add 750 ml hot water.
Start frying tomato paste with a little oil on a separate frying pan on low heat, for a few minutes. Put the fried tomato paste aside. Drain the yellow split peas and start frying a with a little bit of oil in the same frying pan. Add one teaspoon of turmeric and fry for few minutes.
Add the yellow split peas. And tomato paste to the other mixture and add salt and pepper and let it boil on low heat.
Puncture the outer skin of the lime with a skewer or fork. Add them and let the stew simmer for 30-40 minutes. When finished, turn off the heat, add rose water, saffron, lime juice and cinnamon powder and let sit for 5 minutes.
For the rice, please use the recipe from the Summer edition of Silver (silvermagazine.com.au).
And that’s it! You’ve got yourself one of the most popular dishes of Iran, Gheymeh! Nooshe Jan! (Which means, “May the food become a part of your soul.”) ■
See more recipes whipped up by Shiraz Persian restaurant by clicking here.
Silver Magazine spoke to some people who use dating sites after 50. Love? Lust? Hot? Cold? Yes? No? Let’s find out.
LUST
MARIA (54)
I had been married a very long time – 30 years – and the marriage was always very good. But the sex was always disappointing for me. It was good for him but not for me, and I couldn’t seem to get around that. When I turned 52, my sex drive was very, very high and he was very, very low. He was lucky to want sex once every two weeks.
We both knew our sex life needed something new, so we decided to make our relationship an open one. When you’ve been together for 30 years, having sex with each other is less important than it was when you were young. Our kids were raised and out of home, so it was time to have some fun.\
My husband preferred to take just one lover, and he sees her maybe once every two weeks. I don’t think his sex drive could take much more than that. But I decided to experiment.
So being 54, I thought that I would be less desirable. I also thought that men wouldn’t be open to the idea that we weren’t working towards a relationship, because I never wanted to leave my husband. I just wanted to have a more interesting sex life. And so I said that on my profile.
I was very clear that I wasn’t about to take on one-night stands and do that 300 times. I wanted to know the person and make sure they weren’t going to murder me and put me in a freezer. But also, while at this age we can’t get pregnant, we do have to be careful with STIs. I was looking for some regular lovers who were open to being very safe with sex. And I’ve had some really good success with that.
My biggest surprise was to see very young guys in my inbox wanting to have an affair, and it has been amazing. Only one of them I’ve taken up with. It is honestly because I couldn’t resist. He is 26 and he is absolutely stunningly gorgeous. And the sex with him has been wild. It makes me think that good lover are born and not taught. He hasn’t had a lot of partners, but he has sex as he has.
We see each other about once a fortnight and I am delighted to see him every time. I am on borrowed time though, he will find his life partner soon and then his focus will be her. So I enjoy it while it lasts. Porn has done a lot of good things for older women, thanks to the MILF category. Young men absolutely have fantasies about us and they desire us.
Each dating app offers a different type of dating. There are lots and lots of interesting people out there. And lots of people want to get to know you and have sex with you and take you on as a lover. They want to listen to you, and they want you to listen to them. And it’s been really, really refreshingly a good experience. I now currently have four lovers who I see maybe once a week each and they offer me different things.
One of my lovers is my age, he’s 54 and he owns a boat and he moors it at the Southport Yacht Club, and I go and stay on his boat one night a week. We have wine and we have dinner and it’s amazing. He has seen the world, and he has a lot of interesting things to say, and he’s got kids like I’ve got kids and they have their own lives now and that’s lovely. But that is his life – I don’t want to live on a boat! But sex on a boat is great!
My next lover, I like a lot. He’s divorced and lives on his own. He’s such a nice person, and you know what? I’d never married him in a million years. This guy is not exciting enough for me, but he is amazing in bed. So that’s been a diverting experience. And, he lives up the road and I can visit him whenever. I’m always welcome. I think it will work with him until he gets to the stage where he wants a second wife. And the second wife is not going to be me.
My other lover is a man that I didn’t meet through dating online. I met him at my gym. He is ten years younger than me. I don’t even know how to describe him. He’s really tall and broad, and he is properly wild. He is covered in tattoos and has a wild hairstyle and piercings. He’s into domination and other things that I have never experienced in my life except when I was reading 50 Shades! But when he strides into the room, picks me up and throws me over the kitchen counter, I lose my mind. You are literally never too old to try new things and this guy has put me through a loop. I could never have a relationship with him. He’s broke and irresponsible. But as a lover? Holy hell.
If you want just a casual thing, and you’re just looking to have a more exciting life, absolutely try internet dating. But do it sensibly. Always meet these people first in a cafe or a bar or whatever. If they want to meet you just for sex and they want you to come to their house at the first meeting, I think you’re going to have a bad time. This is because it is probably someone who just doesn’t care about anything but the sex. But if they’re willing to take the time to get to know you and have a coffee first or have some dinner somewhere or go for a walk on the beach first, they’re better guys. And then also always tell someone where you are. Always practice safe sex.
If, like me, you are an older woman who wants to explore her sexuality, then absolutely do it. I think this is an exciting time in our lives. We can’t get pregnant. We’ve got no responsibilities. Our kids are grown up and moved away. In terms of material things in life, we’ve got everything we need by 50. As we age we are more about the experiences, rather than things. So it’s a great time to grab your sex life with both hands and go for it.
LOVE
BILL (72) MET SANDY (68) on an online dating site.
I’ve been divorced for well over 23 years. I never got married again, but I’ve had relationships that never worked out for one reason for another. It took me a long time to get the courage up to put myself on a dating website. But eventually, I did, and I wanted to find a partner. Sandy got on the website, would you believe, find a partner for a New Year’s Eve party! She wasn’t looking for anything long term. She was just looking for a party partner because she hadn’t been to a New Year’s Eve party for years! She had been on her own for nine years, she decided to make the move. I was the first person she contacted.
I met Sandy about two weeks after I went online. When we connected, we started communicating on the dating site. After some correspondence, I asked, “Would it be okay if I sent you my email address?” Which I did.
We corresponded for about three weeks. The chats were nice, I could tell she was a lovely, lovely lady. And it all kind of went from there until Sandy said, “I think we should meet.”
We chose to meet at a place she was comfortable – her local surf club. After communicating with one another, we had a friendship happening by the time I had met her. After we met, I took her to Rydges at the airport. It is a really, really, really nice restaurant.
It was straightforward from there. We started dating and seeing one another and the friendship grew and we’re inseparable now. We celebrate the first of every month – it was the 1st of January when I first met her and took her out. And so as of the 1st of June, it has been six months.
I would definitely recommend meeting online. But be cautious about who you are corresponding with. Connect on the dating site but then continue to communicate privately off the site.
There are scammers out there. I started to communicate with a person calling herself Jewel. She was in Malaysia buying jewellery. She sent me very, very flowery messages. Next thing you know, she was asking me for money. Of course, I told her, “I don’t want to have anything to do with you.” And I never heard from her again. If someone asks for money, run for your life.
Sandy and I are going to move in together at the end of the month. Sandy is originally from South Australia and her two sons are living over here on the Gold Coast. So it makes sense that she moves in with me. She has sold her place in South Australia and things have worked out great.
She had her reservations in the beginning obviously, how things were going to happen. She kind of felt that we have met in a previous life because we just get on with one another so well. Now, we are totally inseparable.
In fact, where I get a lot of ribbing from my mates…Can’t you leave her alone? You’re always holding her hand, or you’re always doing something with her!
At the current moment, she is busily putting a lot of stuff on eBay because I’ve got an apartment here and it is fully furnished.
When I met Sandy, I was 71, I turned 72 in March. I said, “It’s taken me 71 years to find you.” And she says, “We’re meant to be and we were meant to meet later.”
I have two sons who are 44 and 42. My eldest is on the Gold Coast, and my other one is in Sydney. And Sandy has two sons as well around the same age group. We have all met each other and everyone is happy for us. I’m still pinching myself.
IN LIKE
MICHAEL (56)
My marriage was winding down and we were coming to what I thought was a natural end of the relationship. And so, I thought I’d see if dating was still possible over 50. I tried a few different online apps. Some of them were good and some of them weren’t so good.
I wanted something that would lead to a relationship, something to have a future. It was easy to arrange dates. The nice women on there will take some time to chat and get to know you a bit. Once you’ve established some sort of rapport, they are always willing to meet you for a coffee or something simple to start. This is just to see if you’ve there’s some sort of in‑person compatibility.
I didn’t have any sort of real chemistry with some of my dates. But I have kept them as good friends. And these are people that I still like to meet up with and have a coffee with. I see how they’re getting on and see how their dating experiences are going versus mine. I’m sure that one or two women that I dated probably thought that it would be nice to move things along. But I didn’t reciprocate those feelings.
Then I met Jackie. I think we just got on best. There was chemistry, there was the physical attraction. But also we were able to chat more freely and I think we had a better understanding of what we both wanted. And so, it just felt like natural.
Internet dating is definitely a good thing. Back in the day, you had to meet somebody in a bar or at a nightclub. You didn’t even know if they were single or not. You just had to sort of asking them. There was a lot of hit and miss and you could be rejected an awful lot. The girl might be attracted to you but if she was with somebody and you didn’t know that before you approached her, that was awkward.
Whereas online you know what you’re looking for and you know what they’re looking for. So, there’s a lot of the hit and miss stuff that is gone immediately from the equation. But also, back in the day, you were meeting somebody in a location, you were limited to the sorts of people around you in the places you were going to. Whereas online, you could meet somebody that you might never have met before.
I hope my relationship with Jackie will end up in marriage and world travel. There’s no rush though. Things have to go the way they go.
I would highly recommend online dating. It is an advancement on what in-person dating used to be.
KEEPING IT CASUAL
JANET (62)
I was single for five years when I met Albert. I was really looking for somebody that enjoyed the same things that I did. I was always looking for that drop[1]dead gorgeous guy, but then I changed things around a bit and started looking for a different kind of guy. I wanted a good personality. And someone who was interested in the same things I was – travel and fishing and all sorts of different things that I find me involved with.
I have finally realised that it is not all about looks. Companionship needs to be there as well as being attracted to him. I like having somebody to do things with.
I went onto an online dating site, and I met Albert. We chatted for a couple of days. He was away at the time so when he returned we met for coffee at a local restaurant. He was very nice and very considerate. And then we chatted some more and then I found myself on a second date with him. Fish and chips at Charis by the Broadwater… my favourite!
We just seemed to get on really well. He makes me laugh. Now we see each other a few times a week and spend a couple of nights at each other’s houses. I quite like that we still live in our own houses. After being single for so long, you have that independence. Even though we are in a relationship, I still like to have my own space, and he does too.
We don’t have any plans of moving in together in the near future. We’re quite happy the way things are going. While I don’t have any kids at home, his grown-up kids have just moved back in with him. And I don’t want to live in that tornado!
I would absolutely recommend dating online. If nothing else, it is a good giggle. ■
Sign up to Silver Magazine’s very own website to find love, or to just find friends to hang out with. www.silverfoxes.com.au
Like dancing? Well now you’ll like it even more when you find out it protects your brain… click here.
The Caravan Repair Company at Burleigh Heads is known across Queensland and New South Wales as the place to go to restore a caravan or get it fixed. They tell us what tips we need to know if we want to hang on to our beloved caravan.
If you are somebody who has an adventurous spirit and a lust for travel, then it is probably very likely that you either are thinking about purchasing a caravan, or you already have one!
The great thing about the caravan market is that there are lots of older models on sale for very reasonable prices. You should feel confident in picking up a bargain with a few future little tweaks and improvements in mind.
Caravan restorations are the latest trend, and you can really bump up the value of your investment if you know the best things to change and upgrade.
To give you an insight, here are five of the best tips for modern caravan restorations.
REUPHOLSTER
An easy way to breathe some modern life back into an old caravan is to reupholster all of the main cushioned areas within the unit.
A lot of old caravans will have seen a lot of wear and tear in these areas, so giving them a fresh set of cushioning can make a world of difference right off the bat. Reupholstering is one of the best tips for caravan maintenance.
CHANGE CURTAINS
Again, old curtains must smell musty as well as looking very dated at this point. An easy way to spruce up the interior is to update them with a more modern pattern and material.
Caravan Repair Tips
CHANGE THE LIGHTING
One of the best tips for caravan restoration is experiment with some cool and fun lighting ideas inside the caravan. Explore LED strip lights, which can be placed on pretty much any hard surface and produce some really modern looking results.
DECAL
Make an instant impact to the exterior of your caravan by installing a wrap or decal that features a fun design or colour. It’s a great way to stamp your own personality on an old vehicle!
ENHANCED SECURITY
One of the most crucial tips that you need to know is a lot of old caravans are very easy to break into, so do yourself a favour and upgrade the security features of your model along with all of the more aesthetic changes.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Modern caravans are complicated machines. Developments over recent years have turned many of them into homes from home, which is great for holiday making.
However, these developments mean there is a lot to go wrong, and plenty of items which wear out. Unlike static homes, caravans are motor vehicles which have to pass road safety standards.
This and the home comforts can be very demanding to keep on top of.
SAFETY FIRST
Before you hit the road in your caravan, you’ve got to be sure it’s safe to do so. Caravans tend to be heavily used at certain times of the year, then left standing for a few months. It can be easy to overlook essential vehicle checks and repairs, and just head off into the distance.
The trouble is, that distance might not be very far, if your vehicle lets you down. RV users can find their holidays cut short by being pulled over for a safety infringement.
Safety inspections should be carried out regularly, especially if your caravan’s been standing for any length of time. This should be done by qualified professionals, rather than just giving your vehicle the once-over. It’s easy to forget how many kilometres caravans and other RVs clock up over time.
A safety inspection lets you know that you’ll make it all the way there and all the way back.
The most common repairs carried out are covered by, and to comply with, your warranty. Manufacturers have strict rules about this, of course, and it’s a bad idea to fall foul of them.
Similarly, logbook servicing must be done regularly and correctly, to keep your caravan roadworthy.
ADDED EXTRAS
There are a lot of extras fitted to caravans these days, which is what makes them so enjoyable. Fixtures and fittings such as awnings, AC units, fridges and microwaves are almost taken for granted today when caravanning.
Finding out that one or more of these don’t work when you’re parked up is sure to spoil your holiday.
Other essential repairs include those for toilets and showers, not to mention water tanks. These kinds of jobs would be carried out by other trades in the home, but require specialist skills for caravans.
Important items like these need as much care and attention as your vehicle’s roadworthy components. ■
Silver Adventurers Jan and Peter (both 74) hit the road in their caravan to explore the stunning Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, famous for its waterfalls and gorges.
Map
Oxley Wild Rivers National Park
The Oxley Wild Rivers National Park is in the Northern Tablelands region of New South Wales. It is World Heritage-listed in recognition of the extensive dry rainforest that occurs within the park, and its rich biodiversity. There are at least fourteen waterfalls in the park, which are at their most spectacular after rain.
In February, heavy rain along the East Coast caused a cancellation of our fishing trip. So where to go after heavy rain? A place known for its waterfalls! Friends suggested we join the two of them on a trip to Oxley Wild Rivers National Park in our caravan, and off we went.
First Part of Our Journey in Our Caravan
The first part of the journey took us through Grafton and along the Waterfall Way to Ebor. After that, we were in new territory. We discovered that the dramatic gorges captured our attention more so than the waterfalls.
HILLGROVE
Travelling further towards Armidale in our caravan, the old mining town of Hillgrove established in the late 1880s was worth investigating. Although a number of cottages remain from its peak population of 3,000, there are interesting signboards scattered around the laneways describing the former structures. The Hillgrove Museum gives visitors a view into the rich heritage of the past. The major surprise for us was the amount of mining that took place in this rugged part of the country.
Dangars Gorge
Hillgrove was once one of the major goldfields in New South Wales, exploiting a rich reef of gold. This area of gorges was operating 9 mines at one time. Also produced was antimony – used to make flame-retardant materials – and tungsten, which was profitable during World War Two for its steel strengthening abilities.
Dangars to Mi-Hi Falls hike
A drive along Old Hillgrove Road and a short walk from a car park took us to a viewing platform over Bakers Creek Falls. Further, around the escarpment above Metz Gorge, we looked down 490 meters to the Bakers Creek mine, still an active mining area. On the opposite wall of the gorge, large dump trucks were snaking their way up and down the steep incline to the mine below. Previously, tramways operated by steam-powered engines pulled trams up and down the precipitous incline to the Bakers Creek mines.
DANGARS GORGE CARAVAN TRIP
Our camp for the next few days was at Dangars Gorge in the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, just a short drive out of Armidale. It is the most spectacular area of this National Park. The campground is on the edge of the Great Escarpment on the western side. The seven campsites are well set up with individual picnic tables and fireplaces with firewood supplied. Our evenings were spent barbecuing our dinner on a campfire under starry skies.
The scenic lookout near the day-use area revealed the dramatic Dangars Gorge and falls. The 120-metre drop to the bottom of the gorge is awesome. An information board informed us that eels migrate down the perilous descent of these waterfalls and out to the Coral Sea to breed in saltwater. Their homing instinct guides them to return after breeding, swimming back up the rivers. They have been observed climbing up through the damp grass. Moreover, at night next to Dangers Falls. To get to the higher reaches of the river. After a major flood event, thousands of eels get washed over the falls and perish. Apparently, it can make the bottom of the falls smell quite terrible.
HIKING TRAILS
We hiked around the edge of the gorge. To impressive views from McDirty’s Lookout at the northern section of this World-Heritage listed area. There were various viewing platforms along the trail. On the return hike on an overgrown track, we could see our campsite across the other side of spectacular views into the deep ravine in front of us. At a junction, we diverted through woodland, open fields, and following a fence line, found Mi Hi Falls. We were rewarded with a view, from another platform, of water plummeting into the bottom of the gorge. A tired foursome of seniors returned to camp that evening after hiking 10.5 kilometres.
McDirty’s Lookout
The birdlife in this area was plentiful. In the last couple of days, we encountered a spotted quail thrush. Additionally, king parrots, and a flock of white-winged choughs, amongst many other more common species.
Trelfell Track
Second Part of Our Journey in Our Caravan
GARA RIVER
We moved on the next day in our caravan. The Blue Hole picnic area and popular swimming hole on the Gara River. A short drive north-east of Armidale, was a pleasant spot for morning tea. There are remnants of a dam here. It was part of a historic hydroelectric scheme to power the mines. It is the town of Hillgrove in the late 1800s. Amazingly, the dam was built with a timber framework, faced with a rock and a core of gravel and clay. Over the years floods have destroyed most of the dam wall. 100 metres downstream is a concrete weir, built to divert water into an aqueduct or flume which took it 2.5kms from here to the power station in the gorge.
Trelfell Walking Track
The circular Trelfell walking track follows the line of the flume staying close to it for most of its length. Further along the track at the Gara Gorge lookout, high above the Gara River, we gazed across the rugged wilderness below.
Boundary Falls Jan & Peter
GIBRALTAR RANGE NATIONAL PARK
At Glenn Innes, along the New England Highway, we called into the Tourist Information Centre. The well-informed assistant imparted his wide knowledge of the National Parks ahead. He mentioned this year’s Celtic Festival, which was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid, would go ahead this May. A couple of years previously we took part in this celebration of Australia’s Celtic Pioneers. The 40 granite monoliths of the Standing Stones here, unique in the southern hemisphere, are central to this interesting celebration. However, we made an overnight booking at the Boundary Falls camping area in the Gibraltar Range National Park. Located just a short drive off the Gwydir Highway.
Boundary Falls
In 1938 a sawmill here employed workers and included a dormitory, kitchen, two houses and single huts. They were all moved to Armidale when the mill closed. One of the relics still on view today is the steam engine that powered the mill.
Gibraltar Range NP Boundary Falls camp
Unfortunately, the heavy rains that had been lashing the north coast area of New South Wales penetrated into this region. Not to be deterred, the camp was set up in a very muddy area. Also, we managed to cook our dinner on a campfire whilst sheltering under umbrellas. Donning our wet weather gear the next morning, we were determined not to miss two more waterfalls. That also within easy walking distance.
Under umbrellas
Boundary Falls In Our Caravan
There was plenty of water over the Boundary Falls. Easily viewed from a platform at the edge of the day-use area. Recent fires had destroyed some of the signage. But, with a bit of searching around, we found the track to Lyrebird Falls. The 2.1km hike in the pouring rain was well worth the effort. To view plenty of water over the long drop.
Gibraltar Range Lyrebird Falls
On the southern side of the Gwydir Highway, still in the Gibraltar Range National Park. A well-formed gravel road gave us easy access to Mulligans camping area. It is very well facilitated with large individual sites. Flushing toilets (rare for a National Park) and the lovely swimming hole in Dandahra Creek. There was a wonderful choice of varying hikes for us during our few days camped here.
Lyrebird Falls, Jan & Peter
William Mulligan and His History
William Mulligan, who the campsite is named after, was a prominent citizen in this area. At the turn of the century. He built slab huts, one of which has been restored by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. He was a mining engineer. Moreover, he proposed a hydroelectric scheme by building dams on the north and south arms of the creek. Additionally, he also proposed installing a power station after sending the water 600 meters over the escarpment. We viewed the concrete weirs that were built in the 1920s. In an endeavour to measure the flow of the water. Unfortunately, the necessary funding to complete the scheme was not available following the war years.
William Mulligans Hut
With it still raining, we lunched in one of the attractive picnic shelters in the day-use area. Where an assortment of birds including a treecreeper, yellow robins and a pretty rufous fantail entertained us. A 120-metre walk from there took us to the Burra Nulla Cascades. This is quite a pretty section of the creek where the water cascades over and through large boulders.
Fern Tree hike
Another day and a 6km hike on a medium grade track took us through a blackbutt forest. Before climbing higher through the rainforest to the spectacular columns of the Needles. They rise up from the Dandahra Gorge. We enjoyed a packed lunch while taking in this panorama.
Concrete Weir Mulligans Camp
The Tree Fern Gully 8km hike, which took us 3 hours, was disappointing mainly because the vegetation had severely suffered during the recent bushfires. Our favourite of all was the Anvil Rock hike, a 4.3km return. It is a short drive from the campground to the commencement of the track which winds through large granite outcrops, balancing rocks, and across metal, grids spanning swampy areas.
Overhanging Anvil Rocks
There is an easy climb when reaching the rocky outcrop at the end. Arrows mark the trail squeezing between and under huge boulders to the summit. Once again, we were buffeted by rain. Overhanging rocks sheltered us while we enjoyed the scenery and our lunches carried along with us once again.
The Needles
GRAFTON
On departing Gibraltar Range National Park, we travelled along the Gwydir Highway in our caravan. Down the range through Jackadgery, and on to Grafton. From here we chose a backroad along the western side of the Clarence River through the quaint area of Southgate. The pretty farming areas revealed classic federation houses. We camped the night on the grounds of the Lawrence Tavern, for a small fee. We also enjoyed a good meal that night in the Tavern. Early the next morning we crossed the mighty Clarence River on the Lawrence ferry to Woodford Island, travelling along the riverside where a trawling fleet was anchored. The skies were clearing, and a pretty rainbow welcomed us back through Maclean, onto the highway and towards home. ■
Steven Bock from 5th Avenue Dance tells us everything he has discovered about just how good dancing is for your wellbeing.
Dancing to be happy
We teach partnership. We teach men to lead so that he can ask any lady to dance, and absolutely know that he can. We teach ladies to follow so they can accept any invitation to dance and know that it will work. She will not have to take over or get trodden on. Once you know how to ballroom dance, you will be able to dance to any music that would be played at a ballroom, in a restaurant, on a cruise, in a club or at a party. That’s the fun part! But there’s other magnificent things to know about dancing. It’s incredibly good for your wellbeing.
DANCE THERAPY Dancing in your later years can have a wonderful effect on your body and wellbeing. A recent study concluded that one of the great ways to stave off cognitive decline was to learn ballroom dancing. It gets you out of the house, it gets you active, it is social, and it engages your brain. Says Professor Richard Powers of Stanford University, “For centuries, dance manuals and other writings have lauded the health benefits of dancing, usually as physical exercise. More recently we’ve seen research on further health benefits of dancing, such as stress reduction and increased serotonin level, with its sense of well‑being.”
In one study, out of 11 physical activities tested over a 21-year period, only dancing significantly helped. But more specifically, ballroom and Latin dancing. And even more specifically – SOCIAL ballroom and Latin dancing. The reason for why these two dances in particular are so good for your brain is because of the random nature of them. It is a lead and follow dance – there’s no set routine or sequence of step patterns. This means the brain has to make instant decisions. And that is what keeps your brain well oiled.
COGNITIVE BENEFITS
Another major study added to the growing evidence that stimulating one’s mind by dancing can ward off Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The 21-year study of senior citizens, 75 and older, was led by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, funded by the National Institute on Aging. Their method for objectively measuring mental acuity in aging was to monitor rates of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
Dance parties
The study wanted to see if any physical or cognitive recreational activities influenced mental acuity. They discovered that some activities had a significant beneficial effect. Other activities had none. They studied cognitive activities such as reading books, writing for pleasure, doing crossword puzzles, playing cards and playing musical instruments. And they studied physical activities like playing tennis or golf, swimming, bicycling, dancing, walking for exercise and doing housework. One of the surprises of the study was that almost none of the physical activities appeared to offer any protection against dementia. There can be cardiovascular benefits of course, and exercise, as we all know, gives us health and longevity, but the focus of this study was the mind.
There was one important exception: the only physical activity to offer protection against dementia was frequent dancing.
■ Bicycling, swimming, golf – 0%
■ Reading – 35% reduced risk of dementia
■ Doing crossword puzzles at least four days a week – 47%
■ Dancing frequently – 76%. This was the greatest risk reduction of any activity studied, cognitive or physical.
BODY BENEFITS Dancing can:
■ Improve the condition of your hearts and lungs; due to the aerobic nature of some of the faster dances. At 5th Avenue Dance we structure your 45 minute lessons to warm up with a Foxtrot which moves around the room, then a slower Latin dance The Rumba, before we hit the faster tempos of Swing, a break with some wonderful Waltz, before moving onto a faster Cha Cha then cool down with a Tango.
■ Increase your muscular strength. When your dancing, you are moving! Our 5th Avenue Dance instructors are very aware of your starting level of fitness, and take this into account as we teach you to dance. Within a very short period of time you can increase what you can do!
■ Increase endurance. Dancing does not seem like exercise in the same way as going to the gym, riding a bike or training for a triathlon. But dancing and moving for 45 minutes a good workout. Plus there is music and fun (not to mention the skill you are learning).
■ Give you better social skills. At 5th Avenue Dance we are constantly recommending changing partners in group lessons. Even those who have their own partner go out of the way to dance with others. ■
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