Dancer and singer Paula Abdul recently shared how she’s stayed healthy through the years. Sixty-year-old Abdul appeared at the Movieguide Awards, discussing the importance of moving your body with Fox News Digital. While talking about how she stays in shape, Abdul said, “I’ve been fortunate because dance has always been a part of my life. I don’t ever feel like I’m working out, but also, I’ve been a teacher and mentor to young talent from the time I was 17. I was choreographing the Jacksons. I was a Laker Girl.”

The” Opposites Attract” singer and former “American Idol” judge also discussed her time working with schools that don’t have the resources to have arts. Abdul also stressed how moving your body is good for mental health issues. She said, “Especially when people are suffering from any mental health problems, I always say, ‘Move your body. Listen to your favorite music. Crank it up. Move your body.'”

She continued, “Dance is the one visual medium that also affects your serotonin levels. It’s like when you dance. There’s nothing like it. Words and music are everything, and they say it’s the language of everything. It’s a visual medium that opens the heart, transcends generations and age demographics and every socioeconomic background. Just dance, and it affects you and changes you for the rest of your life.”

Outside of dance, Abdul also focuses on positivity. She told Fox News Digital about the importance of relationships, “Right now is a time we need to all come together and keep the faith, walk in gratitude and surround yourself with the people of like-mind – cut from the same fabric.”

“As you get older, relationships are everything. It’s so important to cultivate history with relationships. If you don’t know me – I’m all about positivity and happiness and spreading joy.”

Abdul was born in San Fernando, California, to Jewish parents. Abdul’s father, Harry Abdul, is of Syrian Jewish heritage and was born in Aleppo, Syria, raised in Brazil and emigrated to the United States. Her mother, Lorraine, was a concert pianist. Abdul has an older sister named Wendy. As an avid dancer, Abdul was inspired toward a show business career by Gene Kelly in Singin’ in the Rain.

Abdul gained fame at a young age. While in college, she joined the Los Angeles Laker Girls. The musician eventually dropped out of college to pursue choreographing full-time and was hired by The Jacksons for the “Torture” music video. Her success led to a storied career choreographing for big-name artists. Abdul also began recording her music and is known for her time on “American Idol.”

In 1987, Abdul used her savings to make a singing demo. Soon after, she was signed to the newly formed Virgin Records America by Jeff Ayeroff, who had worked in marketing at A&M Records with Janet Jackson. Although she was a skilled dancer and choreographer, Abdul was a relatively untrained singer and worked with various coaches and record producers to develop her vocal ability. However, Abdul went on to have a successful music career.