Dancing Helps Manage Anxiety

Exercising improves our emotional well-being. Putting our bodies in motion makes the brain segregate serotonin, a hormone that’s directly related to mood and endorphins (chemical substances that promote the feeling of satisfaction). That’s why people recommend dancing when we’re feeling stressed, anxious, or sad.

Now, not everyone is willing to start doing sports. Some people think it’s boring, others think it’s too much work and there are others who just can’t find the motivation to exercise. Dancing is a great option for those people. In fact, some studies say that this activity helps people manage anxiety and alleviate the physical tension related to a negative mental state.

For many people, it’s a form of relief, a great way to express themselves, and an escape. It’s a fun activity but it’s also challenging. Therefore, dancing is ideal for those who look to distract themselves while doing something positive. Since it’s such a broad, fun activity, it promotes creativity as well!

Some studies show that the body is a great influence on the mind. Due to the way our body moves when we dance, we can say that dancing helps manage anxiety or any other negative emotion that might be jeopardizing us. Let’s delve deeper into this.

Dancing connects our bodies to our emotions

Dancing provides numerous physical and mental benefits. This activity allows us to exteriorize our emotions through the movements of our body. Our feelings connect to our movements, leading to a natural expression of ourselves.

Now, among all of the kinds of dance that exist, some have proven to be more therapeutic than others. For example, a study considers tango to be adequate for those diagnosed with depression and Parkinson’s disease.

Furthermore, dancing makes our thoughts become simpler, calmer, and it can even make them go away since we think of nothing else but our movements. Dancing helps manage anxiety because it makes us leave our negative thoughts aside and focus on the activity. In fact, a study carried out by Peter Lovatt states that dancing helps the brain create new thought paths and neural circuits.

Psychological benefits of dancing

Let’s see the psychological benefits of dancing and the way it can help you manage and reduce your anxiety.

It helps you connect

This emotion can help you get in tune with yourself. It will allow you to get to know yourself through your body language. In addition, it’ll make you feel your emotions on a deeper level. That way, you’ll be able to connect with your anxiety and express it, leading to an adequate emotional management.

Dancing in groups or even just having a dance partner can help you connect and establish relationships with new people. 

Improves your mood

When you dance, you’re so focused on having fun that you forget your fears and worries. This is why dancing is highly recommended for those who feel lonely, as well as for those who suffer from anxiety and severe stress.

Improves your concentration

This is one of the main reasons why our mind leaves negative thoughts to the side while dancing. This activity requires a lot of mental focus since it’s important to think carefully about all the movements that you’re doing. Dancing helps us concentrate only in the present moment.

Boosts your self-esteem

Dancing is not an easy activity, it takes time and effort to become a pro! This process will help you realize how good you can get at something if you set your mind to it and work hard, which will boost your self-esteem. You’ll definitely be feeling a lot more confident!

In conclusion, dancing helps manage anxiety thanks to all its benefits and positive aspects. It makes you feel full of energy, it improves your physical performance, it helps you focus on the present, and also leave those negative and jeopardizing thoughts aside.