Health
In The Community
Dancing promotes better brain health
Photo by Diego Rosa on UnsplashDancing isn't just a workout for your body; it's also a workout for your brain! Research shows that busting a move can actually boost your memory and keep dementia at bay. Imagine getting better at remembering where you left your keys! Wouldn’t that be great? Plus, challenging yourself to master choreographies works your brain in all the right ways, improving your planning and organizing skills. Who knew shaking your booty could make your mind sharper too? The more you know…
It can make you more flexible
Photo by Brannon Naito on UnsplashSay goodbye to feeling stiff as a board! When you dance, you learn to move your body in ways you didn’t think possible for you. Dancing loosens up the joints and stretches the muscles, so it can improve your flexibility overall. It can also improve your mobility, which is particularly important as we get older.
Dancing melts the stress away
Photo by Michael Dam on UnsplashFeeling stressed, overwhelmed, or grumpy? Just dance it out! It’s amazing how quickly a little dancing session or workout can give you a boost of feel-good hormones. Sometimes, that’s all you need to get through the day or just give your mind a break. Dancing can be liberating, and it can feel like hitting the reset button in your mind. Once you’re done, you’ll have a bit of a clearer head and a better disposition to tackle whatever made you stressed or grumpy in the first place.
It can help with depression
Photo by Olivia Bauso on UnsplashThe thing that makes dancing so effective as a stress management strategy also makes it helpful if you’re dealing with depression. Dancing to upbeat songs is a natural way to increase your levels of serotonin. That’s why this activity never fails to lift our spirits, whether we’re doing it alone in our rooms, with a partner, or with a group of people. Combined with therapy work and other strategies, dancing can help you manage depression and other forms of mental health conditions.
Dancing can help you reach your weight loss goals
Photo by Mike Von on UnsplashIf you’re working on shedding a few pounds and you often get bored with cardio workouts on the treadmill, dancing is a good alternative. For example, Latin dance classes may look easy, but you’ll work your entire body, and you’ll be sweating as much as you would on a stationary bike, treadmill, or stair master—if not more! Combined with good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, your weight loss goals will be easier to achieve.
You’ll get a burst of energy
Photo by Levi Guzman on UnsplashSometimes, we need a little pick-me-up, but we’ve already had too much coffee. Instead of having another cup of joe, why not play your favorite songs and get moving? Regular dance sessions will not only boost your physical performance but also give your energy levels a boost. When you’re done dancing, you’ll feel ready to take on the world or, you know, to just finish your work for the day, which is also a big feat.
Dancing can improve your cardiovascular health
Photo by Luke Chesser on UnsplashDancing is good cardio and a form of endurance exercise, so it’s linked to improving heart health. Studies have found that dancing makes it likely to die from cardiovascular disease because it improves cardiovascular endurance. If you want to have a stronger heart, adding dancing to your daily routine is one of the habits that will help you achieve better heart health.
It will improve your coordination, balance, and strength
woman standing on dockPhoto by Drew Colins on UnsplashWhen you’re dancing, you’re feeling the music, and you’re just in the zone. You don’t realize that with every twist and turn, you’re working on your coordination, balance, and strength. Dancing works your body from every angle, so all your muscle groups get involved in one way or another. Improved coordination, balance, and strength will help you in your everyday life because they’re essential for movement.
Dancing offers artistic expression
person hand standing on concrete roadPhoto by Keenan Constance on UnsplashDance isn't just about following steps; it’s interpreting and feeling the music, it’s telling a story with your body. Whatever music genre you prefer to move to, dancing will allow you to express yourself in an entirely different way. Whether you're into urban, ballet, cumbia, ballroom, or anything in between, there's a dance style for everyone, and every style has a unique expression. We recommend you explore as many styles as possible to find the one that makes you feel the most alive.
It gives your self-esteem and confidence a boost
Photo by Matthew Hamilton on UnsplashBecause dancing is all about learning how to move your body to express yourself, it’s a great way to improve your self-esteem and confidence. Every time you master a new dance move, you will feel great about yourself and your abilities. With that comes a sense of self-assuredness and confidence in your body. That will feed and strengthen your self-esteem, and even help you overcome body image issues.
"I’m a vessel of divine light, radiating positivity and love into the world."
Photo by William Farlow on UnsplashThis affirmation can be a nice reminder of your inherent connection to the universe and your ability to receive and spread positive energy wherever you go. When you’re feeling negative, you can use this affirmation as part of a meditation session to release the negative energy and embrace your divine light instead.
"I trust in the wisdom of the universe to guide me on my path."
Photo by Levi Bare on UnsplashIf you embrace the belief that the universe has a plan for you and trust its guidance, you will be able to view your challenges and struggles from a different perspective. When you feel like your faith in the universe is being tested, repeat this affirmation and be reminded that it’s always leading you toward fulfillment and purpose.
"I’m worthy of all the blessings that come my way."
Photo by James Coleman on UnsplashSometimes, things feel a little too good to be true. That’s our inner saboteur or imposter talking, so you can squash it with this affirmation. Because, yes, you’re indeed worthy of the blessings that come your way. The more certain you are of that, the more you open yourself up to receive the abundance and blessings that the universe has in store for you.
"I release all fears and doubts, allowing my true essence to shine through."
Photo by Phạm Chung 🇻🇳 on UnsplashFear and doubt are a part of the human experience, but they can hold us back if we let them. If you’re feeling any fear or doubt and it’s making you anxious to the point where you’re frozen, speak this affirmation to yourself. Acknowledging and releasing the fear or doubt will allow you to embrace your divine energy with confidence and courage.
"I’m surrounded by love and support, both seen and unseen."
Photo by Vonecia Carswell on UnsplashIt’s not uncommon to sometimes feel like we’re alone, but we’re not. This affirmation will allow you to acknowledge the presence of love and support from both the physical world and the spiritual realm. This provides a strong reminder that you’re never alone in your journey.
"I’m the creator of my reality, manifesting my desires with ease and grace."
Photo by Maja Il on UnsplashManifestation is quite a powerful tool and this affirmation can help you feel more confident of your power as a co-creator of your reality, knowing that your thoughts and intentions can shape your experiences.
"I’m grateful for the abundance that flows into my life effortlessly."
Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on UnsplashCultivating an attitude of gratitude is key not only to recognizing and appreciating the abundance that surrounds you in all its forms but also to attracting even more of that abundance into your life.
"I’m aligned with my higher self, living in harmony with my purpose."
Photo by Casey Horner on UnsplashThis affirmation is a great way to connect with your higher self and remember that you’re aligned with your true purpose, living a life that’s authentic and fulfilling. It will be particularly useful when you’re facing challenges that make you doubt whether you’re on the right path.
"I’m resilient and capable of overcoming any challenges that come my way."
Photo by Jimmy Conover on UnsplashSpeaking of challenges, this affirmation will help you strengthen your belief in your own resilience and ability to navigate through them with grace and perseverance. You’ve survived other challenges before and you will continue to do so. Even if it doesn’t feel that way at the moment, you have the capacity.
"I’m a divine being, worthy of love, joy, and peace in every moment."
Photo by Yoann Boyer on UnsplashLast but not least, this is a simple affirmation that will help you embrace your divine nature fully, confirming your right to experience love, joy, and peace as your birthright in every moment of your life. This affirmation is not just a reminder, it’s an essential truth. The next time you feel like you’re not doing your best, use any of these affirmations to hold space for yourself, manifest, and boost yourself up.
Take deep breaths
Photo by Motoki Tonn on UnsplashTake a moment to practice deep breathing. It’s well-established science that the act of deep breathing activates your body's relaxation response. Inhale deeply through your nose, hold for a few seconds, and exhale slowly through your mouth. Repeat several times to calm your nerves and find your center before you snap. Deep breathing is one of the most simple yet underrated things you can do to effectively get from 100 back to zero (or as close to zero as you can get to, depending on the situation!).
Count to ten then back to zero
Photo by Darius Bashar on UnsplashJust like deep breathing, this may sound too simple or silly to work, but it does. Counting to ten and back down to zero can give you a moment to pause and regain control of your emotions, which can make the difference between a rash decision and taking the high road. Take slow, deliberate breaths as you count, allowing yourself to calm down before you figure out what to do next.
Use positive self-talk to ground yourself
Photo by Alysha Rosly on UnsplashWhen you feel like you’re at your wit’s end, it’s easy to be swept away by negative thoughts. Instead of doing that, use positive self-talk to ground yourself. Reassuring statements like "I can handle this calmly" or "I choose to respond with patience and understanding" can pull you from the edge, shift your mindset, and reduce anxiety.
Focus on the present moment
Photo by Omid Armin on UnsplashOne way to stop your emotions from escalating quickly is to bring your attention to the present moment. If you focus on the thing that’s testing your patience, you’ll just unravel. Especially because the future is usually not within your control - only the present moment is. Instead, use your surroundings to ground yourself. An easy exercise to help with this is to give yourself things to find. For example, look for all the blue objects in the room. This simple task will distract you enough to calm down, and then you can figure out how to respond to what’s happening.
Use visualization
Photo by Jernej Graj on UnsplashVisualization can be a powerful tool to find your zen, but you have to imagine positive outcomes. It’s tempting to imagine other outcomes, we know, but do your best to visualize a positive resolution to what you’re dealing with. This will help you not only reduce feelings of anger and the desire to throw chanclas, but also come up with a more peaceful approach to solve the issue at hand.
Practice muscle relaxation
Photo by Dane Wetton on UnsplashYour fight or flight system is activated during stressful situations. Tensing up is the first thing that happens to our bodies when we get angry or feel negative emotions because your body is ready to react to what it perceives as a potentially dangerous situation. This tension builds up, which is why you feel the urge to do something physical to release it. To avoid that, practice muscle relaxation. Just purposefully tense your muscle groups and then relax. Besides helping to release the tension in your body, it also helps you recognize where you store your stress. When you actively shrug your shoulders, for example, hold, then release, you realize that you were already shrugging your shoulders without even knowing it.
Listen to calming music
Photo by Jordan Whitfield on UnsplashIf you have the chance to excuse yourself for a moment, this is another easy way to find your zen. Putting on headphones and listening to soothing music or nature sounds can bring your emotions down. Music has a powerful effect on mood, so it can be a quick way to focus away from any anger or frustration you may be feeling. Then, you can face the situation with a cool head.
Remove yourself from the situation
Photo by Emma Simpson on UnsplashSometimes, you won’t have the space to allow yourself to find your zen. In that case, the best thing you can do is to remove yourself from the situation and find the space you need. Take a step back and go to another room or find a quiet space to collect your thoughts and emotions, and practice any of the strategies we’ve discussed so far.
Take a moment to meditate
Photo by JD Mason on UnsplashAnother great thing you can do is to take a moment to meditate. This won’t be possible in every situation, but if you can take a moment to do that, it will be incredibly helpful. Meditation will allow you to observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment, which is an effective way to avoid impulsive reactions. There are hundreds of apps, videos, and audio files that offer guided meditations for free.
Seek support if you need it
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on UnsplashSometimes, we can’t process things on our own. If you feel like that’s the kind of situation you’re dealing with, finding your zen will help, but you’ll also need to find someone to provide support and guidance. That’s where your support system comes in! Reach out to a trusted friend or family member and talk to them. If you need professional help, this resource list in the Luz Community can help you. There are many free resources available. This will help you unburden yourself while also getting much-needed perspective to tackle the issue in a healthy way.
Remember that throwing hands (or chanclas) can feel like the most satisfying solution, but it’s really not. Try these strategies to help you choose healthy outlets that will ultimately help avoid escalating any situation and making it worse.
