Written By: Naz Haider | Updated : October 26, 2015 2:45 PM IST
You are awesome!
You are a fighter and you kicked the daylights out of that monster called breast cancer. This calls for a celebration! Soput on a peppy number and dance.
And dance you should, for it not only makes you feel light and happy but also has a positive effect overall. Don't believe me? You should know what research reveals about the effect dancing has on the well-being of breast cancer survivors. This research [1] carried out at two cancer centers in Connecticut, focussed on studying the effect of a dance movement program on the quality of life and shoulder function in breast cancer survivors reveals that the dance movement program helped in enhancing quality of life, bolstered shoulder movement and also instilled a sense of better body image in the people under study. Dance can also transform your body mind and soul!
Why does dancing work?
If you are happy and you know it -- clap your hands, tap your feet, turn around. Do it all together and you are dancing!
It's no big news that dancing can lift your mood instantly and the groovy music is enough to brighten the gloomiest of moods. That is why you have your feet tapping when you hear a popular dance number. Did you know that dancing can also keep your heart healthy!
Backing this claim is this research done at the University of New England where 20 participants suffering from mental issues like anxiety, stress and depression were put through two weeks of a dance program. At the end of the two weeks, they reported positive improvement in their overall mood, had a better sleep cycles and felt content and satisfied with life. Read more about it here.
If it can help people struggling with mental issues, imagine how much it can benefit you! Besides, dancing is also a form of exercise. So you see, it's like killing two birds with one stone -- you are improving your quality of life and also getting fitter!
So what's stopping you?
Belly dancing, contemporary, a light jazz, waltz -- take your pick or simply dance as your heart desires and create a new dance style even! Go girl, get dancing.
Note: It is important that you consult a doctor before taking up any form of dancing, as the activity, with all its movements, could be tiring.
Image source: Shutterstock
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References:
Sandel, S. L., Judge, J. O., Landry, N., Faria, L., Ouellette, R., & Majczak, M. (2005). Dance and Movement Program Improves Quality of Life Measures in Breast Cancer Survivors. Cancer nursing, 28(4), 301-309.
