How to Have Fun in Your 40s: Rediscover Joy, Connection, and Confidence through Dance & Movement in Utah County

Your 40s are not the end of fun, they’re the beginning of rediscovery. When you pair movement, breath, and soulful community, you reignite confidence, connection, and joy. Whether you’re in Spanish Fork, Provo, or Mapleton, Dance to Uplift helps women in their 40s reconnect with themselves through dance and healing.

When Life Shifts, So Does Joy

Something happens when we reach our 40s. Life slows in some ways, and in others, it speeds up. The kids might be older or out of the house. Your days might finally hold a bit of space to breathe. But sometimes that quiet brings a question you didn’t expect:

What now?

You’ve spent years caring for others, your family, your work, your home. But deep down, you may feel something stirring. A longing to feel alive again, to laugh freely, to rediscover the version of you who used to dance in the kitchen or stay up late laughing with friends.

The good news? She’s still there. You don’t have to start over, you simply have to remember.

Movement Is the Gateway Back to You

As women, our bodies carry stories, some of joy, some of loss, and some we’ve never put into words. Movement has a way of unlocking them.

When you dance, you awaken a part of yourself that has been patiently waiting. You release stress, reconnect to your feminine energy, and remind your nervous system that it’s safe to play again.

In your 40s, that play looks different, but deeper. It’s not about performance or perfection. It’s about presence.

That’s why the foundation of my work at Dance to Uplift is movement with intention. Each class blends West Coast Swing, somatic techniques, and breathwork, creating space for women to explore, laugh, and reconnect with their bodies in a meaningful way.

It’s a gentle but powerful reminder: joy lives in your body, and it’s waiting to be moved.

The Science Behind the Fun

This isn’t just about dancing for fun (though it’s definitely that too!). There’s real science behind why movement and breathwork make you feel so good:

• Dancing activates endorphins and dopamine, the brain’s “feel-good” chemicals that reduce stress and boost mood.

• Somatic movement helps release stored tension and trauma in the body, regulating your nervous system and calming anxiety.

• Breathwork improves oxygen flow, supporting emotional balance and clarity.

  
  

When we combine these practices, moving, breathing, connecting, we create a full-body reset.

In a world that often tells women in their 40s to slow down, dance invites you to wake up.

How to Have Fun in Your 40s (and Actually Feel It)

Here are four beautiful ways to invite joy, confidence, and connection back into your life, right now:

1. Dance it Out—No Experience Required

You don’t have to know any choreography or have perfect rhythm. Just start moving. Turn on your favorite song, close your eyes, and let your body lead.

If you’re in Utah County, you can join one of my beginner-friendly classes in Mapleton. We start with simple movements that help you drop out of your head and back into your heart.

Each class is a safe, welcoming space where women laugh, learn, and rediscover parts of themselves they’d forgotten.

2. Breathe Deeply and Often

Fun begins when your body feels safe enough to let go. Breathwork is one of the simplest tools to help that happen.

Try this:

• Inhale through your nose for 2 counts.

• Exhale gently through your mouth (pursed lips) for 6.

  
  

You’ll notice your shoulders drop, your chest soften, your thoughts quiet. That’s your nervous system returning to balance, making room for peace, joy, and spontaneity.

We begin every class at Dance to Uplift with this grounding practice. It helps you arrive, not just in the room, but in yourself.

3. Say Yes to Community

One of the most common things women tell me in their 40s is, “I feel disconnected.”

The truth is, joy multiplies when shared. When you dance with others, especially other women walking the same stage of life, something beautiful happens. Laughter comes easily. Friendships form naturally. You begin to feel seen again.

Whether it’s a class, a retreat, or a casual dance night in Provo, being surrounded by uplifting energy is one of the fastest ways to reignite your spark.

4. Let Healing and Fun Happen Together

Healing doesn’t have to be heavy. It can be joyful, playful, and lighthearted.

When you let your body move freely, emotions can release gently, through laughter, tears, or even stillness. It’s not about “fixing” yourself; it’s about honoring what’s already within you.

I’ve seen women walk into class carrying the weight of stress or self-doubt, and leave with tears in their eyes, not from sadness, but from relief. Movement gives them permission to exhale and be.

Why Dance Instead of the Gym?

A lot of women tell me, “I’ve tried gyms, yoga, and walking groups… but dance feels different.”And it is.

Here’s why:

Experience	How It Feels	What It Does for You
Gym workouts	Focused on effort & results	Builds strength but can feel like a chore
Yoga / meditation	Grounding & calm	Connects breath + body, but often solo
Dance	Joyful, expressive, social	Builds strength and connection, awakens creativity, heals through play

When you dance, you don’t just move, you express. You reconnect to your aliveness.

For women in their 40s, this can be transformational. It’s not about shrinking or striving; it’s about expanding into who you really are.

Where to Start (for Women in Utah County)

If you’re in Mapleton, Spanish Fork, Springville, or Provo, here are a few ways to begin your journey back to joy:

Play Passionately – Women’s Series

A 4-week class blending West Coast Swing styling, mindfulness, and somatic movement. Perfect for reconnecting with your body, confidence, and playful side.

Move with Meaning – West Coast Swing Leveled Series

A Level 1 & 2 West Coast Swing series that blends soulful connection, mindful movement, and playful technique to help you dance with confidence, flow, and heart.

Live in Love– Couples Series

A couples West Coast Swing series that awakens the five senses through movement, music, and mindful connection—helping you rediscover intimacy, trust, and joy together on the dance floor.

Private Sessions

Personalized coaching sessions to explore west coast swing, breathwork, and emotional healing at your own pace.

You don’t need experience, just an open heart and willingness to show up as you are.

Q&A: Common Questions from Women in Their 40s

Q: Is it too late to start dancing at my age?

A: Never. Your 40s are an incredible time to move. You have the wisdom, awareness, and courage to connect with your body in a way your 20-year-old self never could.

Q: What if I’m shy or self-conscious?

A: You’re not alone. Every woman in class starts that way. But something beautiful happens when the music begins, your body remembers, and your confidence grows.

Q: Will this help with stress or anxiety?

A: Absolutely. Movement and breath regulate the nervous system, helping you feel grounded and centered long after class ends.

Q: Can I come alone?

A: Yes! Most women do. And by the end of class, you won’t feel alone anymore.

How to Keep the Joy Going

Here are a few ways to bring that spark into your everyday life:

1. Create a joy playlist. Add songs that make you smile and dance in your kitchen.

2. Practice gratitude through movement. Take five minutes each morning to stretch and breathe while thinking of something you’re grateful for.

3. Stay curious. Try something new each month, maybe a dance social in Provo or a mindful movement workshop.

4. Connect with others. Share your journey, invite a friend, or join our Facebook group for local dance events and inspiration.

   
   

Joy grows when nurtured.

You’re Allowed to Have Fun Again

You’ve walked through so much to get here. You’ve built a life, given endlessly, and carried both love and loss.

Now it’s your turn.

Your 40s can be the most vibrant, soulful decade yet, a time to reconnect, express, and play. You don’t have to wait for the “right” moment or lose another year wondering where the joy went.

You just have to say yes to it.

Come move, laugh, and breathe with us at Dance to Uplift in Mapleton, Utah County. Let’s rediscover the magic that’s been inside you all along.

👉 Join a class or schedule your free introductory session here.

Because fun in your 40s isn’t a luxury, it’s part of your healing.