Let them dance to the right tune

For long it has been known that exercise can have several positive effects on a person's body and mind, leading to better cardiovascular health, fewer attacks of migraine and a sharper brain. The benefits extend also to people's skin; there is a marked differences between the skin of people who exercise and those who don't.

In this regard, researchers found that after 40, people who had been active throughout their lives had a younger-looking skin, similar to that of people in their 20s or 30s, even if those participating in the study were above 65. Dancing, which is a form of exercise, can also have all those positive effects.

Last year, a group of Chinese dancers were arrested in New York because of the excessive noise they were making. Authorities in the Big Apple are in general very concerned about the importance of keeping noise levels relatively low compared with other big cities in industrialized countries.

But given the important health benefits of this activity, it is important and urgent to find a way to allow people who enjoy dancing to continue their hobby while ensuring that others are not disturbed by the "din" it creates so that everybody's rights and interests are respected.

The author is an international public health consultant and a winner of an Overseas Press Club of America award.

(China Daily 07/10/2014 page9)