High school can be a stressful time for many students between trying to balance academics, sports, clubs and so much more. However, recent studies are encouraging people to use dance as a way to relieve some of the stress.
Exercise has always been encouraged due to its benefits on both mental and physical health. However, by combining exercise with music, individuals struggling with mental health have experienced benefits from simple activities like dancing
Senior at Belle Dance Academy Lauren Lundie shares her passion for dance, emphasizing its ability to provide an escape from daily worries. “When you’re dancing, you can forget about whatever else is going on in your life and just focus on the movement. It’s a great release, and it brings me a lot of joy,” Lundie expressed.
Free-Flowing dance is similar to what is known as improvisation in the dance world, where music is played, and dancers move to the music in any way they wish, allowing their emotions to influence their movements. A study done at UCLA found that, “A huge majority—98%—of all dancers said the practice [free-flowing dance] improved their mood. Many also reported that conscious dance gave them more confidence and compassion”.
Also in the dance world while many dancers engaged in free-flowing movements, they also practiced choreographed dance. This is when a dance teacher or a choreographer will come into a rehearsal and teach the dancers choreography that they have created. A study shows that choreographed dance can better help people retain information and safeguard the brain against age-related neurodegeneration.
Along with mental health benefits, dance has the ability to build a community between people and can brighten people’s mood. It’s a chance to find like-minded people who also want to take a break from their academics or other activities. Family Museum Dance Company member Avalon Anderson says, “Dance is a space where you can leave all the stressful, annoying things about everyday life, and just have a good time with a community of great people and do something you are passionate about.”
No matter the struggles a person is going through, dance gives people the opportunity to limit the stress and distractions that invade their life. “One of my dance teachers always says that whatever kind of day you’re having, just leave it at the door when you walk into class.” Anderson added.
Dance has been long known as a physical activity. However, more studies show the mental health benefits of dance can have a positive impact on people’s lives.
