Is it possible to waltz away gloomy, anxious feelings or do-si-do your way to better cognitive and neurological health?
Boosts Mood
According to the Canadian study published in Advancing Digital Health & Open Science, depression is on the rise in those with neurodegenerative conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease.The researchers examined the effects of an eight-month weekly dance class on 34 participants, 68 percent of whom had Parkinson’s disease and 32 percent of whom were healthy. At the end of the intervention, self-reported questionnaires showed a decrease in depression, and MRIs showed a reduction in markers related to oxygenation of a part of the frontal cortex of the brain believed to be a critical part of the network linked to depression.
Dance movement therapy is the therapeutic use of movement based on the assumption of the interconnection of body and mind and the healing power of dance. It promotes emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration to improve health and well-being.
Like any other exercise, dance increases the “feel good” chemicals in the brain called endorphins, yet its mood-enhancing effects are more complex.
Kristine Gonyon, a licensed clinical professional counselor and dance/movement therapist at Relief Mental Health, shared insights with The Epoch Times on how dance improves mood.
Improves Neuroplasticity
Dance is an extraordinary tool for promoting neurological health, and its benefits are backed by scientific research, according to Dr. Joseph Mercola, a board-certified family medicine osteopathic physician.When you dance, multiple areas of your brain engage, including those involved in movement, balance, and sensation. This activity strengthens your brain’s capacity to learn and adapt, a concept known as neuroplasticity. It involves structural brain changes that result in functional improvements, he explained in an email to The Epoch Times.
Dance improves memory, attention, and body balance, according to the study.
Enhances Cognition
People with mild cognitive impairment have a high risk of developing dementia.Increases Fitness
Sedentary behavior is common in people 60 and older, contributing to many health conditions. In a systemic review published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, researchers looked at 18 studies involving differing types of dance, including ballroom, cultural, jazz, and contemporary. The results indicated that any kind of dance may increase balance, endurance, muscle strength, and other aspects of functional fitness in older adults.Promotes Neurological Rehabilitation
A systematic review published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies explored the value of dance in rehabilitating neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease.Fosters Socialization
Dance exemplifies social learning, bonding, communication, and trust, according to the authors of a systematic review published in Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (NBR).Janet Bayramyan, a licensed clinical social worker psychotherapist and owner of Road to Wellness in Los Angeles, spoke about the social benefits of dancing in an email to The Epoch Times.
“People who dance in a partnership or groups describe a sense of cohesion with their teammates,“ she said. ”This can improve mental health because we often want to feel understood, heard, and validated. Dancers experience this through movement in partnership.”
Bayramyan noted that ballroom dancing forms, such as salsa, are especially highlighted for their ability to foster connection. These dances often facilitate opportunities for movement release and being a part of a community.
“You can build positive friendships and connections with such opportunities,” she said.
Choreograph Your Moves
The NBR systemic review sums up the characteristics that give dance its uniqueness. These include the rhythm and harmony of music, as well as socialization and communication. Emotion, cognition, pleasure, and aesthetics are additional components that, when melded together, produce some interesting effects, such as those mentioned above.While many people exercise to music, few choreograph and time their movements to the rhythm or beat. Choreography has an aesthetic aspect that can elicit emotions while planning and remembering movements, which involves areas of the brain that control cognition.
“It’s all about the magic trio—movement, music, and connection,” said Harold Hong, a board-certified psychiatrist and medical director at New Waters Recovery in Raleigh, North Carolina.
In an email to The Epoch Times, he wove it all together: Physical activity keeps your body strong, increases blood flow to your brain, and releases mood-boosting chemicals. Music taps into your emotions, creates positive associations, and brings rhythm to your movements. Social interaction creates a sense of community and belonging.
Combined, these elements amplify each other, Hong said. Movement reduces tension, music lifts your spirits, and social interaction builds emotional resilience.
“That’s why dance isn’t just exercise—it’s an experience that leaves you feeling alive and connected,” he said.
The NBR systematic review reported on the capacity of dance to promote happiness. It induces pleasure with “sustained periods of positive emotion,” the researchers wrote.
Hong concurred, saying dance is about joy.
“Whether you’re twirling across a ballroom, nodding your head to a favorite beat in your car, or moving freely in your living room, dance has an incredible way of making you feel better—physically and emotionally,” he said.
“You don’t need to be a trained dancer, follow perfect choreography, or have rhythm. The simple act of moving your body to music is enough to unlock a cascade of benefits. So, the next time you hear a song you love, don’t overthink it. Stand up, let yourself move, and enjoy the moment. Your mind, body, and soul will thank you for it.”
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