D-Dance

Dance is the representative of D for the ABCs of Mental Wellness.

“Just dance, gonna be ok” — Lady Gaga.

“Oh I wanna dance with somebody” –Whitney Houston.

“Dancing in the streets” — David Bowie & Mick Jagger.

 

How can it help?

As always, it is hard to pick just one word for our ABC’s of Mental Wellness. However, I love to dance and dancing has really helped me in tough times. Plus, dancing has a ton of psychological benefits. It can help to decrease depression, anxiety, and relieve stress.

I’m not one to dance without music, although it is possible but dancing usually involves music which in itself has a smorgasbord of mental health benefits such as increasing positive mood, elevating motivation, and increasing relaxation. Dancing is considered exercise as well. Hence why Zumba classes were formed! Zumba is a fun way to exercise through the use of dancing. Another benefits is the chemical release in our brains when we hear music and dance. As Elle Woods so eloquently shares with us in Legally Blond: “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t.” Endorphins are a chemical in the brain that is responsible for numbing pain and triggers a positive feeling in the body. As I previously mentioned, music is awesome for mental health. It has been found that music releases dopamine which is the “feel good” chemical in our brain that is associated with pleasure. No pain + pleasure chemical release in the brain = Happy Dance!

Other positive benefits of dancing include the long term impact on the brain. Dancing can help to increase muscle memory, coordination, and mindfulness. Do you ever get the feeling of being “lost in the music”? That is mindfulness. Your brain is only in the present moment which can relieve some tension of a worried mind. Lastly, dancing can create positive moments and attachments with people in our lives.

Videos I love 💕

Now I invite you to release some of those endorphins and dopamine and DANCE like no one’s watching.