It can also improve psychological coping and overall well-being.
Youre not only rhythmically moving your body and expressing feelings.
Youre burning calories and getting a workout for sure.
Edwin Tan / Getty Images
But this creative, fun physical activity also boosts your brain functioning.
Youre taking a break from work, family, and everyday stressors.
Youre turning off the incessant worry and negative self-talk.
Lastly,you dont have time to ruminatewhile you dance.
Others want to learn ballroom dancing or hip-hop.
Or take a tango class at their local community center.
Whatever you choose, dancing can help you stay physically and mentally healthy.
Types of dance you might want to explore include free-flowing dance, choreographed dance, and synchronized dance.
A huge majority98%of all dancers said the practice improved their mood.
Many also reported that conscious dance gave themmore confidenceandcompassion.
Dancing had the most notable positive effect.
The researchers found only one group showed an improvementthe country dancers.
The participants who learned country dancing now had denser white matter in the part of thebrain that processed memory.
White matter usually breaks down as a person ages, which may contribute to cognitive decline.
Such results suggest that dancing protects the brain from aging-induced neurodegeneration.
Country dancing, ballroom dancing, tango, salsa, and waltz are all done with others.
When you participate in these dances, youre involved in a beneficial social activity as well.
You are also cognitively stimulating your brain as you learn the steps to the dances.
Dancing therefore might be one of thebest physical activities you could choose for brain health.
This is great for feelings of closeness with others.
In the research study, when participants danced,happy chemicals called endorphinswere released.
Endorphins are integral in the human bonding processes.
Thus, theyand wefeel closer to others we are dancing with.
In this particular study, researchers wanted to see the effect of endorphins on pain.
Pain was measured by the steady inflation of a blood pressure cuff on the subjects non-dominant arms.
Study participants were asked to indicate when the pressure became uncomfortable while they danced.
Dance Therapy
Some people opt fordance or movement therapy.
A research study was conducted on the effects of movement and dance on health-related psychological outcomes.Its findings were promising.
If you hadnt considered dance yet, think again about incorporating dance into your physical and mental health programs.
Turn up some of your favorite upbeat songs and get moving.
You might even try dancing around the house while you’re doing housework.
Take a Dance Class
Consider signing up for a dance class, whether online or in person.
It also brings the social benefits of spending time with people in your support online grid.
Plus, it’s fun!
This person will guide you on how to work with any physical limitation and help you prevent injury.
Dance therapists should be fully credentialed and can offer you ways to improve your well-being with a step-by-step plan.
Takeaway
If you never considered dancing due toself-consciousness, you are far from alone.
The fact of the matter is most people are focused on their own dancing and having a good time.
Practice with a friend or take lessons.
A Meta-Analysis Update.Front Psychol.
Published 2019 Aug 20. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01806
