Are you struggling with stress and depression? Research suggests that dancing can help to reduce your depression and stress. The focus and physical exertion of dance is capable of reducing cortisol which is known as the “stress hormone.” Dancing in general is shown to have positive effects on our mental health. If you’ve tried meditation, mindfulness, or breathing exercises and found they don’t work for you, maybe it’s time to get out your dancing shoes.
Dancing alone can reduce stress, but structured dancing with choreography or with a partner indicate higher levels of success in depression and stress reduction due to the mind and body working together by using cerebral and cognitive thought processes along with muscle memory. If you’re dancing at home remember to focus on the music and your body, let your emotions go. If you’re able to, join a dance class or take tango or ballroom dancing lessons with a friend or partner.
Written by: Amanda Furca, Graduate Level Intern, Loring Therapy LLC
Edited by: Charity M. Loring LLMSW
loringtherapy.com
Adapted from the PsychCentral Blog:
“Dance Away Stress and Depression,”
By Christy Matta, MA
URL: http://blogs.psychcentral.com/dbt/2010/07/dance-away-stress-and-depression/
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