written by Evelyn Creon
Dancing has been a part of cultures since the beginning of time. It has mesmerized the hearts and minds of people around the world with its different styles, history, and health benefits. Dancing is an art of expression; it has been used to express deep ideas about things such as war, sexuality, happiness, grief, and many others. It can take a person on a roller coaster ride of imagination, challenging people to improve both physically and mentally.
Dancing stimulates the brain. It improves motor skills and communication between the left and right hemispheres of the brain. Because dance makes people more social and interactive with people outside their normal social circles, it also installs an energetic self-confidence in them. When a person dances freely, the body releases neurotransmitters called endorphins. These endorphins make a dancer feel happy, which alleviates stress. Remarkably, Stanford Dance noted, “Dancing integrates several brain functions at once — kinesthetic, rational, musical, and emotional — further increasing neural connectivity.” which increases memory. Engaging the body and brain in an energetic activity can do wonders for a person’s health.
Dancing causes the heart rate to increase, so blood flows more efficiently. Because stability is an essential part of dance, it helps enhance balance. Dancing for one hour burns between 200 and 600 calories, which can result in weight loss. Dancing builds strong bones. The more people use their bones the denser and stronger the bones become. Curiously, dancing also boosts the lung’s capacity. When someone first starts dancing they might feel out of breath, but the longer a person dances, the stronger the lungs become.
Dance aids in meeting and making new friends whether it’s in a private setting, informally in public, in a class, or at a club. Essentially, dance helps people connect and express their emotions through movement instead of verbal communication. This can reduce anxiety. Through dance people can be completely themselves and not worry about other people judging them. Appealing enough, dance is something that can be executed anywhere whether in a public or private setting. Since it is a versatile activity the positive effects of dance affect the dancer the same way.
Expression through dance has been around for thousands of years. Every culture has a unique style of dance. The health benefits of dance are fascinating, helping with dementia, depression, and other physical and mental health problems.
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