Dance Your Way to Happy

Hey, are you a dancer? Even if you’re thinking, “No way,” chances are you’ve been moving to music since you were a baby. Dance is basically in our bones. Julia Christensen and her crew put it perfectly: dance “is an antidote to stress, a way to combat negative emotions, an elixir for the body, mind, and brain.”

It’s not just exercise — it’s moving, music, and connecting with others all wrapped into one awesome experience. Studies show dance makes people feel way happier and more energized than other activities. One dancer said for Greater Good Magazine, “Dancing automatically provides me with more strength in all areas of life... I can accept myself better with all my strengths and weaknesses.”

And when you dance with someone else, it’s even better. People who move in sync feel closer, and one dancer shared, “The social interaction satisfies my needs for group togetherness, closeness, and body contact.”

Dance can also be a serious mood booster. After tango classes, people felt less stressed and more motivated. And for older adults, dance helps with balance, confidence, and feeling young again. Researchers said dance can turn “the body from being a source of oppression to a source of freedom.”

So whether you’re a ballet junkie or just someone who can’t help but tap your feet, remember: dancing is totally your human birthright.

Read More Here: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/four_ways_dancing_makes_you_happier