There is something about grooving to the rhythm of your favorite tunes that seems to take all of our cares away.
Dance is a therapeutic form of exercise which many people worldwide incorporate into their lifestyles today. It is not only significant for physical health but also for emotional and mental health. When we dance, it creates a stress relieving, joyful and healing moment by releasing endorphins in the brain.
Dance is an art that has always been a part of human culture and celebrations. Today, there are a number of researches that show dance to be a healthy exercise. While there are numerous benefits of dancing, here are the top five:
For Physical Health:
- Increased physical fitness, strength and balance:
Dance is a great way to increase fitness because it incorporates movements on all planes of motion and from all directions, says Jonathan Tylickj, the director of education for AKT. By focusing on strength, coordination and balance, dance therapy helps to develop gross motor skills. Techniques taught in dancing are known to increase muscle growth, strength and flexibility.
- Improves cardiovascular health
Dance also accounts for a healthy heart. It is a kind of cardio exercise. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, adults should do atleast 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise like walking, running, jumping and yes, dancing, to improve cardiovascular activity.
- Burn Fat and increase metabolism:
Dancing is a form of aerobic exercise that burns fat and boost metabolism. According to a research, just 30 minutes of dancing can burn 200 to 400 calories and can help you lose ½-1 pound a week. According to Journal of Physiological Anthropology, dancing is just as effective for weight loss as cycling and jogging. Dance as exercise is the best way to stay healthy, strong and toned.
For Mental and Emotional Health:
- Relieves stress and boosts mood:
Any form of exercise is great for relieving stress in the mind and body. Dance is no different. When we dance, it releases endorphins in the brain which trigger positive feelings. It is a kind of meditation that helps depressed individuals to clear away toxic thoughts. It brings a change to emotions, energies and attitudes almost instantly.
It also causes our brain to produce more serotonin which gives you a feeling of joy and peace. It is a perfect form of exercise to relieve stress and have some fun.
- Improved confidence and self esteem.
Dance therapy is a great way to increase confidence and self-esteem. It also brings a positive change in social and communication skills. Greeting, maintaining an eye contact, talking with different individuals with different verbal abilities, trying new things, gets you out of your comfort zone. It creates a positive environment to let the participant know they are welcome. This way it becomes a pleasant and fun experience for everyone.
