Mental illness affects between 26 and 33% of the world's population at different periods of life. The most common are depression and anxiety, which lead to premature death. In addition, people may experience cognitive impairment in old age.
Are you ready to change your life and improve your mental health and well-being?
If so, it's time to prioritize self-care and exercise.
It's long been known that physical activity is beneficial for mental health – in particular, increased levels of endorphins reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
But scientists wondered, what kind of activity has the greatest impact on mental health?
To find out, they conducted a study that involved almost one and a half thousand people of different ages – from 7 to 85 years old, some of them suffered from chronic diseases, but there were people also perfectly healthy. Scientists analyzed more than 21 thousand records from 27 studies.
After comparing different types of physical activity, the researchers realized that the most effective for improving mental health was dancing. And it didn't matter what kind of dancing.
What did the study show?
- Weekly dance classes for six weeks or more improved a number of physical health indicators (e.g. heart function).
- Dancing is more effective than other forms of exercise in relieving symptoms of depression and improving memory.
- Dancing is good for both young and old people, including people with chronic diseases.
Why is dancing so effective?
In fact, during the dance hormones of happiness are released, and this directly affects your emotional and psychological state and changes it for the better.
Moreover, what some people find difficult to convey in words, they convey with the help of movements. That is, dance turns into a real story and raises your emotions and feelings to a higher level. It allows you to know yourself more deeply and discover new treasures.
In addition, dance not only reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety, but also improves your mood, boosts your self-esteem and gives you a sense of uplift.
While dancing, the brain is working at full capacity. After all, music stimulates the pleasure centers in the brain, and rhythmic movements under it activate sensory and motor centers. It is a good exercise for memory and decision-making ability, especially for the elderly. Some studies show that dancing helps to reduce the risk of dementia even more effectively than reading, as well as improving attention and mental flexibility.
Also, dancing promotes positive social interactions. Healthy social relationships and emotional support from dance partners or friends can contribute significantly to mental health and resilience in the face of life's challenges.
Dance is more than just a form of artistic expression or a way to spend your free time. It is an activity that can benefit your health in a variety of ways. From improving physical condition to supporting mental health, dancing can have a significant positive impact on your overall well-being.