Did you know that May is mental health awareness month? Let’s keep the ball rolling into summer 2022. Dancing has been proven to be a valuable practice towards bettering one’s mental health. And the best part is– it doesn’t require anything other than your body and a smile!
Here are a few ways that dancing can improve your mental health:
Dancing is relaxing
Dancing can replace the formal process of meditation. Let’s face it – sitting cross-legged and chanting “Ohmm” for 30 minutes is not always possible or realistic. It’s also pretty hard to remain serious. Instead, try dancing while you make dinner for your family or putting on a private concert in the shower.
Even if you only have an extra 5 minutes between meetings or you’re trying to burn off some of your child’s energy before bedtime, try dancing it out. You’ll feel overall more relaxed and ready to tackle the next task on your to-do list.
For the athletes out there – it’s soothing and rehabilitating
Dancing forces you to use other muscles that you don’t typically use. Take it from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (the highest scoring NBA player of all time) who was on Dancing with the Stars and absolutely loved his experience.
Dancing on a smaller (not televised) scale can also provide you with the rehabilitation your body needs after a long game. It’s also a great way to blow off steam after a tough loss. Don’t let yesterday’s game get in the way of today’s.
Dancing is the perfect time for self-reflection
Maybe you’re upset about a rough break-up with your significant other or are in between jobs– dancing can be a valuable reflection practice. It gives you the chance to slow down your body and your mind and manifest good vibes. Those who struggle with anxiety will especially see a noticeable change, even if it’s just 10 minutes a day.
It’s also just straight up fun!
Dancing doesn’t have to be serious– especially when no one’s watching. In other words, it’s not supposed to stress you out, it’s supposed to take the stress out of you. It’s one of the easiest ways to shake out nerves before a big presentation or make yourself smile, either alone or with friends.
Dancing is seriously underrated. It doesn’t have to be this formal practice – you can do it anywhere and everywhere. For a more constructive experience for your child, contact us at All For Dance today and register for classes!
