“Don’t blame it on the sunshine,
Don’t blame it on the moonlight,
Don’t blame it on the good times,
Blame it on the boogie.”
Pop legend Michael Jackson’s song, Blame It on the Boogie, is one of those songs that no one can help but sway to. From the very first beat, it’s hard not to dance or at least tap our toes to the rhythm. This lively beat reminds us that life is meant to be joyful.
Dancing can cheer us up in ways we might not expect. Research shows that dancing is not just a great way to have fun; it’s also good for our health. Studies suggest that dancing can boost our mood, improve our physical fitness and even enhance our mental wellbeing.
According to dance psychologist Dr Peter Lovatt, “Dance is basically a natural anti-depressant..” indeed, when we dance, our bodies produce endorphins, which are hormones that make us feel happy. These mood lifters can help reduce stress and anxiety. Dancing can also make us feel more connected to those around us.
So, join us as we explore the wonderful benefits of dancing on our mental health and wellbeing.
Enhances mood
We all have a favourite song or two, whether it’s Happy by Pharrell Williams or a classic like Sway by Dean Martin. Some of our favourite songs make us want to move. Maybe it’s the beat, the lyrics or the overall vibe, one cannot help but sway to some numbers.
And one of the benefits of dancing is its ability to cheer us up. When we dance to music, our bodies release chemicals that make us feel happy. Whether we are dancing alone in our living room or at a party with friends, dancing can quickly change our mood for the better.
Dancing also allows us to express our feelings and emotions—it offers us a creative outlet to process what we’re going through. In a nutshell, dancing leaves us feeling fresh and more positive, no matter what kind of a day we’re having.
Lessens stress
Modern life and its challenges can add to our stress and anxiety. In fact, many of the things that make life easy today have also led to our stress. So, it’s essential to find ways to combat and cope with it. One effective method to tackle stress is through dancing.
You don’t need to be a trained dancer to enjoy the benefits; just moving to some good music can work wonders. As you begin to focus on the music and make movements to the beats, it’ll take your mind off worries and help reduce your stress.
Improves self-esteem
Many of us struggle with low self-esteem, often feeling unsure about ourselves, our abilities or about our bodies. One wonderful way to boost our self-esteem is through dance. When you learn new moves and improve your skills, you feel a sense of accomplishment. This boost in confidence spills over into other areas of your life, making you feel more positive as days go by.
Dancing also gives you a chance to celebrate your body. When you move freely to the music, you learn to appreciate your body and develop a more positive body image.
Reduces feelings of loneliness
The reasons might be many, but a lot of us tend to feel some kind of loneliness in our busy lives. And this is where dancing can help. By joining a dance class or participating in dance activities, we can help combat feelings of loneliness.
Dancing provides a fantastic opportunity to connect with others and creates a sense of community. When we dance in a group or take part in social events, we bond with people who share our interests. It helps us form new friendships and meet new people, helping us realise that we’re not alone. And this budding connection can steadily decrease feelings of loneliness.
Decreases rumination
Dancing can help reduce rumination or our tendency to overthink and dwell on negative thoughts. When we focus on the music and our movements, we shift our attention away from worries and negative feelings. This mental break allows us to feel more at ease and free.
In fact, dancing often brings with it a sense of joy and fun, which helps us tackle our worries better. By immersing ourselves in dance, we tend to find relief from the constant cycle of overthinking.
Improves memory, cognitive function
Interestingly, engaging in dance can boost our memory and cognitive skills. According to a study conducted by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, dance can improve brain health. Since learning new dance steps requires focus and coordination, this challenges our brains to work harder. Such kind of a mental workout can improve our memory and help keep our minds sharp.
Furthermore, dancing encourages us to think and make quick decisions, which enhances our cognitive function and keeps our minds active.
Manages weight
Dancing is a fun and enjoyable way to help with weight loss and management. Different styles of dance, like salsa or hip-hop, can get your body moving really well, providing it with a good workout. Since dancing feels more like a celebration than exercise, you’re more likely to keep coming back to it.
By incorporating dance into your routine, you can thus maintain a healthy weight and improve your overall fitness.
Indeed, dancing does wonders to your mental health and wellbeing. By lifting your mood, reducing stress and creating social connections, it has the power to play an important role in making your life happier and healthier. So, boogie for your own good!
FAQs
What is the connection between dance and health?
Dancing can boost mood, reduce stress and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Can dancing improve my physical fitness?
Dancing is a cardiovascular workout that can improve your strength, flexibility and balance.
Can dancing help reduce feelings of loneliness?
Participating in dance classes or social events helps create connections. It also creates a sense of community that can be comforting, reducing feelings of loneliness.
Is it necessary to be a professional dancer to experience these benefits?
You don’t need to be a professional to enjoy the benefits of dancing. Whether you dance at home or in a class, simply moving to music can improve your mental and physical wellbeing.