Good news: dancing is good for your mental well-being

Finally: we can once again let loose in the club. Last Saturday, however, I was so enthusiastic about it that I didn't even make it to the destination; peaked a bit too early at the bar unfortunately. But well, hopefully new rounds, new opportunities next weekend, because I can't wait to dance again. A little movement can't hurt either, since the open gyms haven't managed to lure me in yet.

And did you know that dancing is not only good for your body, but also for your mind? In a study by the World Health Organization on dance and art (WHO), many findings have emerged that show that dancing contributes to better mental health.

Dancing has a positive effect on the brain. It can even help Parkinson's patients counteract the symptoms of Parkinson's. Dance promotes balance, memory, coordination, mood, and self-confidence. As a result, it makes our brain more flexible, so even if you feel like you have no sense of rhythm and coordination, you're doing just fine on the dance floor. Okay, in combination with a significant amount of alcohol, this might be a bit less beneficial for the brain, but let's not focus on that right now.

Additionally, dance (and theater) improves social connections between people, for example between people with dementia and their caregivers or between police officers and criminals. After all, dance is a form of communication. Even if you don't speak each other's language, there is always dance and music where we can find each other.

Dance also contributes to the development of communication. The research showed that it can help children with their communication skills and even improve their performance in school, partly because dancing enhances body awareness and contributes to physical self-confidence. Could this be the reason why you approach people in the club more quickly, or is it still accompanied by that large amount of alcohol? The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle.

Last but not least: dancing reduces anxiety and depression. There is even dance therapy, where you perform movement exercises to better express your emotions. And let's be honest: nothing feels better than singing and dancing along to Taylor Swift when you're feeling down? It always lifts your spirits. Conclusion: get those feet off the floor again, for both body and mind!