It has never been more challenging to keep our mind ad body active as it has been since the COVID-19 pandemic started. More people are forced to stay at home, employees have new work-from-home arrangements, and many students are studying at home. The ongoing pressure to abide by strict social distancing and isolation rules can leave us feeling exhausted mentally, emotionally, and physically.
The good news is that dancing can have a dramatic impact on our overall wellbeing. If you are wondering how dance lessons in Vaughan can improve your mental fitness during the pandemic, here’s what you need to know.
Blends Sports and Creativity
Vaughan dance classes are a great option if you want to improve your mental fitness because it is the perfect balance of sport and creativity. Sports are a great way to stay in shape and keep your mind active because you use your entire body and mind to play. However, the advantage that dance brings into the picture is creativity. While you are physically exerting yourself, you are also concentrating on nailing the choreography and experimenting with new movements to express yourself. Many dancers are so focused on the choreography and movements that they forget how tired they are until the end of class. That’s a bonus!
Builds Confidence
For most people, starting a workout or exercise routine can be a battle of confidence. Starting a dance class can make you feel awkward and out of place because you are unfamiliar with the movements and choreography. But the key to become an expert at anything is practice. You cannot give up because you feel uncomfortable at first or because you lack confidence. It is the results that come after you put in the work that will make you feel confident. The more confident you feel in the studio, the more confident you will feel elsewhere in your life. Dance is a massive confidence booster, and that confidence can translate into multiple areas of your life.
Makes You Body-Aware
Dance can teach you so much about your body. People who are not physically active may carry extra weight in their knees, hips, or lower back, and might never activate their core or glute muscles. However, dance is a vital step toward injury prevention. The training involved will strengthen core muscle groups, so every movement is performed in a safer and more mobile way.
When your body is performing as it should, it makes a big difference in your confidence and energy levels, which can impact your mental well-being.
Reduces Depression and Anxiety
Physical activity like dance has been shown to significantly reduce levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Much like aerobic exercise, dance classes can provide great relief from tension and stress. This is because dopamine and endorphins are released during physical exercise. These are two neurotransmitters that are responsible for feelings of happiness and pleasure.
Dancing also promotes an experience known as “flow”. This is almost like a meditative state that brings the dancer into a deep focus where they are attentive solely to the movements, music, and rhythms instead of thinking about unrelated worries and stresses. Getting into this flow state of mind also contributes to helping you become more mindful of your mental state.
Helps with Emotional Expression
Not everyone can express their emotions well through words. The benefit of dance is that it teaches emotional expression through movement. Dancers who are going through difficult times can translate those feelings and release those difficult emotions through the steps and routines learned through a dance class.
What an individual may not be able to express in words they can express in dance. The development of emotional expression that comes through dance relates directly to the reduction of depression and improvement of mental focus.
Being able to recognize your emotions and translate them or express them in some way is important to avoiding depression during the pandemic.
Reduces Dizziness and Improves Strength
Since dance bolsters physical and mental health, it can prevent falls, improve flexibility and posture, and even ease anxiety by lifting your mood. This fun activity sharpens your mind while increasing aerobic power and strength. By attending dance classes, you can build social bonds and reduce pain and stiffness in your body. While a lack of flexibility and joint pain and stiffness may not be a concern for younger people, the benefits of dance can prevent these issues from happening as you get older.
Creates a Community of Like-Minded People
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted our communities. Depending on where you live, there are strict restrictions on the number of people that can gather indoors at a time. Many people have yet to visit their family members since the lockdown earlier this year.
Virtual dance classes are a great way to get connected to a community of like-minded people. If you used to dance at a studio before the pandemic, virtual classes are a great option for you to stay connected even if you are unable to attend in person. Additionally, there are dance studios that have met all the safety and health requirements, so that you can dance in studio with a smaller group. If you want to make lifelong friends or meet other like-minded creatives, dance classes might be just what you need.
Improve Your Mental Health and Well-Being with Performing Dance Arts
If you’re tired of feeling unmotivated or struggle with mental health issues, there are many reasons why you should consider dance classes. Aside from the reasons mentioned above, dance classes can help you focus on something that you can be proud of, taking your mind off your stress and worries. Dance has physical, mental, and emotional benefits that can last with you throughout your entire life.
Performing Dance Arts’ dance studio in Vaughan employs trained instructors with years of industry experience and skill. Our classes cater to children of all ages and skill levels. Children can also struggle with mental health issues during the pandemic, which is why we are happy to provide dance classes to help improve their quality of life.
We’re prepared to answer all your questions and are ready to help you safely transition back into our dance community. Contact us today to enroll your child or learn more about which program is best for them.
