Dancing Saturday: Benefits of Dance
Dance has many mental and physical benefits. Learn about them in this article. Photo credit: @samiweisburg
Dancing Saturday: Benefits of Dance
Ballet, jazz, modern, liturgical, tango, foxtrot, waltz, cha-cha, meringue, hip-hop, salsa, and bachata are all forms of dance that I have tried and enjoyed. Currently, I am learning salsa and bachata and have joined the respective dance teams offered by my dance company. Participating in dance classes, dance team practices, and dance performances my weekly schedule is busy but enjoyable. Dancing for me is a stress reliever, creativity booster, and a fantastic workout. Listed below are five benefits of dance.
1. Dance improves your mood.
In a study published by McKenzie et al., the researchers found that students participating in a dance class reported a better mood than students who did not participate[1].
2. Dance improves your cognitive function.
Learning to dance rewires the neural pathways in your brain and enhances decision making skills[2].
3. Dance improves balance and strength.
Over time, a dance regimen improves balance and strength[3]. Regardless of age, we all need to maintain our stability and strength.
4. Dance is inclusive.
No matter your ethnic background or ability if you have a body, you can move!
5. Dance is social.
You can meet people and make new friends while on the dance floor.
Dance is universal and has physical and mental benefits. Whether you dance alone or in a group, you will not regret the time you spent moving your body.
[1] McKenzie, K., Bowes, R., & Murray, K. (2021). Effects of dance on mood and potential of dance as a mental health intervention. Mental Health Practice, 24(3).
[2] Coan, E. (2021). How Being a Dance Major Will Help Me Be a Better Doctor. Dance Major Journal, 9(1).
[3] Stawicki, P., Wareńczak, A., & Lisiński, P. (2021). Does Regular Dancing Improve Static Balance?. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(10), 5056.
Side Hustle Saturday
When I think of the phrase “Side Hustle”, I imagine someone allocating time before or after working a full-time job and on the weekend to build a business. Does this image look glamorous? Oftentimes on social media, it does; however, it requires dedication and consistency. Can a side hustle be rewarding? Yes! Many people have turned their side hustles into full time businesses. If you have ever thought about pursuing a side hustle, listed below are links to a few resources that have inspired me.
Earn Your Leisure
https://www.earnyourleisure.com/
Earn Your Leisure is a platform that provides helpful advice on investing, real estate, and entrepreneurship through their podcasts, YouTube channel, and paid educational platform (EYL University).
Craig Ballantyne
https://www.craigballantyne.com/
Craig Ballantyne is an entrepreneur who provides business tips for aspiring and seasoned business owners to manage their time while building their businesses.
James Altucher
James Altucher is an entrepreneur who has written several books on how to test ideas that could turn into businesses.
Side Hustle Nation
https://www.sidehustlenation.com/
Side Hustle Nation is a platform that provides tips on how to start a side hustle and provides stories of individuals who have successful side hustles.
Do you have recommendations for side hustles? Let me know in the comments section!
SAD Saturday
When I don’t have plans, I have no desire to leave home on cloudy days. If the cloudy day occurs on a Saturday, it gives me an incentive to stay in. On sunny days, the sun shining through my window entices me to get up and start my day. During this time of year in the Mid-Atlantic, there are more cloudy days than sunny. The cloudy days can contribute to a depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD usually occurs in the fall and lasts until the beginning of the spring. The symptoms of SAD are[1]:
Sadness
Anxiety
Carbohydrate cravings
Extreme fatigue
Suicidal thoughts
Inability to focus
Excessive sleeping
Disinterest in social activities
Suicidal thoughts
If you have any of these symptoms, contact a healthcare professional who will give you the proper diagnosis.
[1] Cleveland Clinic. (2020, December 07). Seasonal Depression. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
It’s Saturday!
It all begins with an idea.
There are not many Saturdays that I have the luxury to lounge in my bed. However, when I do I stay in bed until my body hurts. You would think I would be catching up on sleep or watching television. No. I’m playing a brain game on my phone and afterwards logging in to my Spanish language learning website for a 30 minute practice session. Then, I’m scrolling Instagram watching, and laughing at video sketches from my favorite comedians, getting inspired to try a new hairstyle, or eventually travel internationally again. After I have scrolled social media to my heart’s content, I drag myself out of bed to wash clothes and work around the house to prepare for the upcoming week.
Oftentimes I feel guilty by wasting so much time on these Saturday mornings. The guiltiness is because I think about how much I could have accomplished if I only got out of bed earlier. How do you spend your Saturdays when you have nothing planned? Do you feel guilty about not being productive or is it your time to recharge for the upcoming week?