In the May 2009 AARP Bulletin (my mother's copy ;) ) the feature article, by Barbara Basler, is entitled "Stress - Why it's making you sick". Page 14.
The headline on bulletin's cover is:
"What, Me Worry?
Economic stress
can wreck your immune system,
increase your blood pressure and
speed up aging.
9 ways to loosen up."
The adjacent cover photo shows a fifty-something man with furrowed brow, eyes full of anxiety, and all 10 fingernails rammed into his teeth. The photo is shot from above, with a lense that makes his head and hands-in-his-mouth look large and his feet look distant and tiny, making him look powerless.
Before I even read the article, my eye jumped to the sidebar. It summarizes Ms. Basler's recommended antidotes to health-robbing stress. I did a quick tally on how Argentine Tango rates as a stress-beater. I'll quote the 9 items on the list for you and tell you how tango fits in.
"PROVEN STRATEGIES FOR BEATING STRESS
"- Socialize. See friends, relatives, go to club meetings. Stay connected. This is paramount."
Well, almost everyone who frequents milongas (tango dance evenings or events) will agree that part of the attraction to going to dance tango is the context in which we dance. It's almost universally a warm, welcoming environment that attracts people who have something strong in common with each other. It's the one environment I know of where strict physical barriers between people melt away, and friendly affection is comfortably expressed. When people say they need a "tango fix" (like an addict might say), . . . . read entire article
The headline on bulletin's cover is:
"What, Me Worry?
Economic stress
can wreck your immune system,
increase your blood pressure and
speed up aging.
9 ways to loosen up."
The adjacent cover photo shows a fifty-something man with furrowed brow, eyes full of anxiety, and all 10 fingernails rammed into his teeth. The photo is shot from above, with a lense that makes his head and hands-in-his-mouth look large and his feet look distant and tiny, making him look powerless.
Before I even read the article, my eye jumped to the sidebar. It summarizes Ms. Basler's recommended antidotes to health-robbing stress. I did a quick tally on how Argentine Tango rates as a stress-beater. I'll quote the 9 items on the list for you and tell you how tango fits in.
"PROVEN STRATEGIES FOR BEATING STRESS
"- Socialize. See friends, relatives, go to club meetings. Stay connected. This is paramount."
Well, almost everyone who frequents milongas (tango dance evenings or events) will agree that part of the attraction to going to dance tango is the context in which we dance. It's almost universally a warm, welcoming environment that attracts people who have something strong in common with each other. It's the one environment I know of where strict physical barriers between people melt away, and friendly affection is comfortably expressed. When people say they need a "tango fix" (like an addict might say), . . . . read entire article
