How Dance Affects The Brain

When people think of dancing, they usually think of good times. Dancing is often equated with self-expression, physical movement, and in plenty of cases, celebration. School dances, wedding celebrations, cultural expressions, and even competitions all center around dance as the main event. Because of this, there are many different ways that people can look at dance in a social, cultural, or sport-driven way.

While it is true that dancing is a great way to participate in celebratory experiences, it can be so much more than that when it comes to the brain, and the health of both adults and children. In fact, much research has gone into how dance affects the brain – and the results of that research show that it's even more beneficial than many might think.

Why is dancing good for the brain?
There are many reasons why dancing is a great practice to participate in if you want to improve your brain health.

Improves mental health
Studies have shown that mental health, specifically depressive conditions, can benefit from regular dancing sessions. One particular study looked at dancing as a possible therapeutic technique for depression and found that it could alleviate symptoms of the disorder because people were forced to focus heavily on the physical movements of their body, and were also able to use the dance moves as a form of emotional expression. 

Supports brain functions
Certain brain functions such as motor, emotional, and intellectual processes can all benefit from a regular dance routine. Motor functions are improved because of a person’s need to focus and control their movement through dance.

Emotional function is improved through a type of therapy referred to as Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) or movement psychotherapy. DMT utilizes dance as a type of language; the movements people make while they participate in any type of dance can communicate to others as well as lead to a level of self-expression that cannot be achieved through other forms of movement or communication. Connecting the body with the mind during dance bridges the gap between the two.

Intellectual processes can also be improved with dance, especially in children. Studies have found that DMT therapy in young children can help to positively affect cognitive development. One particular study looked at how dance affected a child’s development and found that it could improve social, motor, and cognitive skills in children with certain developmental anomalies.

Boosts memory
Many studies looking at dancing and the brain have found that memory can be greatly improved through dancing. One particular study examined dancing as a possible risk reducer for dementia and found that people who danced regularly were 76% less likely to develop the neurodegenerative disease.

Spatial memory, which is the type of memory that is used to remember places and locations, is also improved through dance. These positive effects are especially helpful for older adults.

Slows aging
According to research, dancing can also slow the aging process because of the effect it has on nerve growth factors. These are types of peptides that play a role in the growth, proliferation, maintenance, and lifespan of neurons. When a person practices dance regularly, nerve growth factors are stimulated, and because of this, sensory neuron health can be maintained for longer.

One particular study looked at how dancing related to the aging brain and found that it can lead to a boost in how a person’s cerebral hemispheres (the left and right brain) connect with each other. In other words, brain activity is boosted positively by long-term dancing, which can help to maintain neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to change and reorganize in response to new experiences. The physical aspect of dance also plays a role in these improved brain connections.

How dancing can improve your life and health
As mentioned above, dancing can significantly improve the health of your brain and mind. But that’s not the only aspect of health that dance can influence! The physical health benefits of dance are numerous, too.

Better heart health
Dancing gets the body moving and the blood pumping, meaning it’s a great form of cardiovascular exercise. Spend a couple hours each week busting your best moves and your heart health will benefit greatly.

Improved balance and strength
Balance and strength are large parts of physical health because they both contribute to our ability to move around with ease. With regular dancing, both balance and strength can be improved because of the way you need to call on your body to perform a myriad of different movements.

Why kids should learn to dance
While people of all ages should incorporate dancing into their lives, kids can especially benefit from this activity in many ways. Firstly, children who participate in dance are establishing a solid foundation of physical fitness as they age and grow older. This routine gives them the starting point they need to see and experience physical fitness as a fun and vital part of everyday life.

As mentioned above, dancing can also improve mental health, cognitive development, and social skills, and all of these are particularly important for kids. This is why incorporating dance into your child’s life early can be a great way to set them up for mental and physical success for years to come.

Dancing and the brain go hand-in-hand – and the good news is, there are so many styles and variations to choose from that dancing is an activity anyone can enjoy!

 

Featured image by Kazuo ota on Unsplash