Numerous scientific studies show that dancing can make you happy. Here you can find out exactly why rhythmic movement is so good for us.
Dancing is in our blood – even babies as young as five months old are already beginning to adjust their movements to the rhythm of music, according to a 2010 study. And apparently not without reason: The University of California, Berkeley sees dancing as an activity that has a lasting positive effect on our health. Because when we dance, we move our bodies, listen to music and can build connections with our fellow human beings.
Looking to add some joy to your life? Dancing might just be the answer. It’s no secret that dancing has a way of lifting our spirits and making us feel happy. Whether you’re busting a move on the dance floor or simply swaying to your favorite tunes at home, dancing can instantly boost your mood and leave you feeling energized. Plus, it’s a great way to stay active and healthy. So why not grab your dancing shoes and hit the dance floor? Check out spearmintrhinowpb.com to discover more about how dancing can bring happiness into your life.
Dancing makes you happy: this is how it increases our well-being
Numerous studies have shown that dancing makes you happy:
- According to a British study from 2014, participants in dance courses lasting several weeks felt more comfortable and energetic after eight to ten weeks and had made new friends through dancing. Many stated that dancing made them feel fit and healthy and allowed them to express themselves creatively.
- Another study from 2004 examined the effects of African dances. The result: Dancing helped the subjects to reduce stress and negative emotions while increasing positive emotions.
- According to a study from 2009, Berkeley University shows that dancing is not just about the movement itself. It examined the different effects of dancing when we perform the same dance steps alone or without music. The results show that dancing only triggers positive emotions when we dance with a partner and music.
But why does dancing make us happy? According to the NDR, this is due to processes that are taking place in our brain. Dancing causes our body to release the happiness hormones dopamine and endorphin. However, this is also the case with other sports. When dancing, however, music is added, which, according to the University of California, can also reduce the stress hormone cortisol in our body. Dancing also focuses more on fostering interpersonal connections.
Dancing makes you happy: this is how it promotes connection
Dancing is also an important cultural asset, especially for many indigenous population groups, as it embodies values such as solidarity, humility and connection to nature.
Dancing as a remedy
Some studies conclude that dancing may not only make you happy, but may even be an effective remedy for depression:
- A 2012 study looked at how a 90-minute tango class affected depressed patients. The result: The dance class worked similarly to a meditation class and was able to alleviate depression and reduce stress levels.
- According to studies, a specially developed dance therapy (known as “dance movement therapy”) should not only help against depression, but also with other psychological complaints such as panic attacks, trauma or chronic pain.
- A 2007 study showed that people suffering from depression felt less anxious, tired, tense and listless after just a few minutes. Instead, well-being, energy and mental strength increased. The subjects danced to a particularly happy, fast song and held hands while dancing.
Dancing in old age: That’s why it’s important
The University of California, Berkeley emphasizes how dancing can make older people happy. Dancing has many benefits, especially for older people. It is said to be able to help with many complaints and phenomena that develop with age, such as coordination problems, loneliness and declining physical health. This is also proven by scientific findings:
- A 2007 study looked at how different types of dance affected 60 retirees in Brazil. The subjects took dance courses over a period of one year. During this time, they reported that dancing helped improve balance, flexibility, and coordination. They also felt more relaxed and connected to Brazilian culture after the courses.
- A typical clinical picture that increasingly restricts the everyday life of older people is dementia. Dancing can help with that too. A 2012 study found that dance classes in dementia can improve health, energy levels, memory, and interpersonal bonding. In addition, the subjects were able to concentrate better. The mood also improved due to the dancing.
- According to the NDR, dancing also promotes the formation of new nerve cells and can thus prevent dementia. Regular dancing can reduce the risk of developing dementia by up to 20 percent.
Dancing makes you happy and is climate-friendly
So there’s plenty of evidence that dancing makes you happy by being good for your body and mind and boosting your mental health. At the same time, dancing is particularly accessible. Because you don’t need any expensive tools and you don’t even have to drive to a special place. You can just turn up the music and start dancing in the kitchen, living room or bedroom. You can also look up dance videos on YouTube and other platforms for a little more guidance.
This means that electricity is only required for music or video playback. Otherwise you don’t use any resources, which makes dancing not only a health-promoting hobby, but also a climate-friendly one. If you want to attend dance classes, we recommend getting there by bike or public transport.
Even though dancing is (almost) free (at home) and requires no special equipment, it is not (yet) an inclusive sport. Because for people who are in a wheelchair, for example, it is still difficult to find dance classes that are tailored to their needs or to get into clubs at night. Some dance schools are already setting a positive example in this respect. In the Tanzsportverein Münster, for example, there are inclusive dance groups in which people with and without handicaps can dance together.
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