Dancing your way to a healthier mind
By Lia Mullins
Studies in both Germany and at the University of New England found that dance lowers levels of stress hormones and significantly lowers levels of depression. Dance can set people free on a physical and, especially, a psychological level. It can be a means of expressing yourself without any boundaries. Today, depression is believed to be one of the most common and distinctive mood disorders; yet, people continue to look at depression as a temporary psychological state of mind.
Don’t keep it to yourself!
People suffering from depression are either too embarrassed to talk about it or remain silent in the hope that someday the heavy load of disappointment and grief they bear will somehow disappear. Some people are not good with words. This means it is too hard for them to communicate verbally, and so they have to find different ways of expressing themselves or else feelings of loneliness and helplessness will constantly plague them.
Your body is actually how you can free your mind!
The body is the medium through which emotions are released to the external world. In other words, movement in its pure sense can convey one’s feelings. Research provided by ADTA, the American Dance Therapy Association suggest that dance/movement therapy is “the psychotherapeutic use of movement as a process which furthers the emotional and physical integration of the individual.”
Ballroom Dancing is the Secret!
Learning to Ballroom dance requires you to focus attention and be fully present in the moment, much like the practice of mindfulness. Ballroom Dancing is unique in that you must maintain constant awareness and connection with your own movement but also with that of your partner. Your mind instead of being caught up in a state of worry and suffering is set free as it must focus on movement. As a result Dancing creates a mindful focus that can switch off the negative thought patterns associated with stress and depression.
Try Ballroom Dancing today to reduce depression
Not everyone is interested in traditional meditation practices. Nowadays with our high stress levels, confidence issues or even depression dancing can be used as a social mindfulness practice. Research shows that moving with others expands your sense of social connectedness, which is beneficial to lowering both stress and depression levels. Ballroom dancing is a wonderful attribute to one’s life, no matter the age or gender.
Get in contact with us today at Dancesport to find a school near you where you can start dancing and try the benefits yourself!