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The Non Physical Benefits Of Dancing

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When people talk about the therapeutic aspects of dancing, they mostly stress the physical benefits. It is true that dancing is a good way of exercising, but that that isn't the only thing you will gain when you start dancing. Other benefits include:

Boost Your Mood

Dancing is one of the best ways to boost your moods. According to Psychology Today, dancing induces the body to release the neurotransmitters norepinerphrine and serotonin. These are the neurotransmitters associated with mood-lift. Your body releases the neurotransmitters whenever you engage in a physical activity that you enjoy, which is why you are likely to be happier after a dance session than after an exercise session on the treadmill.

Improve Your Social Connections

Unless you like dancing alone in your house, you can improve your social connections by signing up for dance classes. It will give you a way to meet new people and help you communicate with them better. This benefit is particularly pronounced in those who engage in group or partner dancing where they have to interact with other dancers or partners, respectively.

Help You Develop Trust

If an event in your life has caused you to lose trust in people, then one of the ways you can regain your trust is to start dancing. In this case, you should explore partner dancing styles such as cha cha, which involves synchronized movement, tango, rumba, or even the waltz. In short, there is no way you can allow people to twirl you around (or even flip you, for the more athletic dancers) week after week without starting to trust them.

Help You Express Yourself

Dancing is a form of self-expression. Once you allow the beats and the rhythm to take over your body and personality, you will easily ignore your self-consciousness and worry. In dancing, you don't have to think before you act, you just move. This spontaneity helps you to trust your impulses and to express yourself without fearing other people's reactions. Seasoned dance therapists can use dance to get their patients to open up about different aspects of their lives.

If you have a physical illness, then you should not start dancing before consulting your physician. The physician will assess your condition and let you dance only if it is safe to do so.  If you are dancing as a form of therapy, then you should follow your dance therapist's advice to the letter. The therapist knows what will help you physically, psychologically and emotionally.

For other forms of recreational therapy, visit RecCare Inc.


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