The Link Between Dance and Happiness
One of the greatest benefits of dance is the positive effect it has on our mental health. Here at Nan’s Dance in Raleigh, we offer a variety of dance classes that will be both fun and have a positive effect on your child’s mental well-being! Take a look at how physical activity can help your child’s mental health and give you a reason to do a Happy Dance!
Children’s Mental Health
Children and young adults face a variety of stressors every day. They are expected to maintain high grades in school, balance friends along with several social media accounts, and navigate the ever-changing health crisis known as the coronavirus.
Over the past few months, researchers have found that young people have been adversely affected by the pandemic on a mental level. From changing how they learn at school and interacting with friends to dealing with how the virus has affected their family’s health, all of these factors have had a negative impact on their overall mental health. Children have been reported to have increased
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Depression
However, one way to help children who may be struggling is to participate in physical activity such as dance.
Scientists say dance is good!
Doctors have been telling us how important regular physical activity is to our health for years! We know that when children engage in daily physical activity we will see improved physical health like bone and muscle growth. Now scientists are saying that dance is good for our mental health! According to research conducted at the University of California Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, in Berkeley, CA, dance has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression through physical movement.
The Right DOSE
Researchers released a report that highlights the effects of four brain chemicals – dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphin. Together they make up the word “DOSE.” A special combination of these DOSE chemicals are released during dancing, and each has a positive impact on our mind and body.
- Dopamine is a chemical that is released when we enjoy, remember, or anticipate pleasurable moments. It is a hormone that stimulates our motivation and curiosity to explore.
- Oxytocin is a chemical that is released in the brain when we experience connections with other people. When we dance in a group and mirror each other’s motions, oxytocin is released, making us feel connected to each other.
- Serotonin is a chemical that promotes happiness and is sometimes referred to as the “happy chemical.” If the body has a steady level of serotonin it can protect against depressive and anxious moods, as well as improve the quality of sleep.
- Endorphins represent pleasure in the brain. They give us a euphoric and exhilarating feeling when we exercise. Endorphins inhibit unpleasant feelings, allowing you to feel more positive and optimistic. Endorphins will also limit feelings of fatigue and pain, leaving you feeling energized!
Let’s Do A Happy Dance
None of these DOSE chemicals can act alone. They combine and influence each other to create a mix of happy and positive emotions in our brains. Do you want to know which physical activity creates the best combination of these feel-good chemicals? Dance! So now you can say that there is such a thing as a happy dance – scientists have proved it!
So why Nan’s School of Dance?
We offer instruction in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Acro, and Pre-Dance, at all levels. These classes will provide your child with moderate to vigorous physical activity, which as we just learned is the correct DOSE our body needs for improved mental health!
Don’t forget to register!
From ballet to hip hop, we offer dance classes for ALL ages and skill levels in a variety of styles. We place students in classes that will challenge them while offering a fun atmosphere for learning and growth. We also offer Mommy & Me classes, (18 months – 2.5 years)
Register online or give us a call at 919-803-6044 to hold your spot!