Even before the birth of human language and written records, dance was perceived as a powerful method of communication by early humans. According early historical accounts, our ancestors used physical movements (sans vocal elements) to pass stories from one generation to the next, attract mates, and form social and cultural bonds. In Ancient Greece, dancing was commonly performed in religious ceremonies. And at the time, it was also considered as one of the significant factors in terms of building a social system. In addition to that, the Greek philosopher Aristotle associated dance with poetry, and even said that it was through rhythmical movement that dancers could “imitate character, emotions, and action.”
The importance of dance in our everyday routine
Fast-forward to today, dancing is not just a cultural practice but also a great form of exercise or therapy. According to science, it’s the best thing that you can do for your body as dancing comes with mental, emotional, and physical advantages. And what’s great about dancing is that even if you don’t hit the gym or if you’ve got two left feet you could still reap the same health benefits—all you need is some groovy music, a spacious-enough room, and a comfortable pair of shoes. While a boost in physical strength is the first thing that you’d gain from it, there are other benefits to dancing. Here are just three reasons dancing should be a part of your everyday routine.
1. Dance improves brain function
In the past few years, doctors have been recommending dancing to adults showing signs of cognitive decline. Since dancing involves mental effort and social interaction, researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine mentioned that compared to other activities (such as golfing, swimming, and cycling), dancing has neurological effects that can help reduce the risk of dementia.
2. Dance can help bring about stress relief
Similar to workouts at the gym, dancing also acts as a good stress reliever. When you are dancing, it raises your heart rate as well as the levels of happy hormones like serotonin, endorphins, and dopamine. In theUnited States, they use dance as a form of “expressive therapy”. Dubbed as Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT), practitioners believe in the correlation of emotions and movements when it comes to building deeper connections and of course, coping with stress. Usually, a licensed therapist will facilitate a series of sessions that is focused on physical movements.
3. Dancing is great for self-confidence
It’s true that dancing can improve a lot of things—even your confidence. Aside from increased muscular strength, dancing can also help you with your body image and self-esteem. Both an art movement and health-promoting activity, dancing exercises your brain to be more creative and at the same time, gives you a sense of accomplishment. If you need a kickstart, enrolling yourself or your child in a dance studio, whether you live in Phoenix, AZ or in Tampa, FL can prove a very worthwhile investment of your time and money.
The gift of dance
Overall, dancing is a fun and therapeutic activity that can be enjoyed both by the young and the elderly. The world is getting older and taking care of your body is probably the most priceless gift that you could give to yourself.
