Inside: Why dance classes for teens are important & the benefits you’ll get for hoing.
When I was in High School, I was a pretty anxious person. And I was not alone on this, a larger percentage of High Schoolers deal with anxiety than you might think. It’s a period in your life that is filled with big changes, so naturally, there may be a little friction.
But through it all, there was one thing that I could constantly rely on, and that was dancing! Dancing was always a form of escapism for me, but not from the world around me.
Dance allowed me to take a break from the thoughts in my head so that I could just be in the moment.
I know that I am not the only one who has experienced this. I got curious, and I did some research on the benefits of dance classes for teens, and what I found was amazing!
There are so many more benefits than I would have thought. Take a look at the list below to see for yourself.
The Benefits of Dance Classes for Teens
I think it can be super helpful to have an idea of what kinds of benefits your teens will be getting by signing up for a dance class, so I wanted to make a list. Did you know that when you are aware of the benefits you are getting from something, you actually experience them more intensely?
Let’s get to learning!
1. Exercise
Everyone knows that exercise is super important for you, but what everyone might not fully understand is the range of benefits that daily exercise can have on your body and mind. By now, you may have a superficial understanding of it, but that is going to change.
Exercise is not only something you do to lose weight. In fact, even though it can be a necessary tool when you are trying to slim down, I don’t recommend going into any exercise with the sole goal of losing weight.
You are giving your body LOVE by working it, and I fear that by telling yourself you need to lose something you are going to create a bad relationship with it. Motion is lotion! Your body needs to move in order to feel good.
Here are some things that exercise does for you:
- Fights against diseases
- Improves your brain function
- Lowers Your Blood Pressure
- Improves Your Sleep
- Fights Against Mental Health Problems
And these are just SOME of the things that exercise can do for you.
2. Camaraderie
The importance of human connection is important, now more than ever. In today’s day in age, we are all often stuck behind screens most of the day. The amount of time that we actually connect with people is more limited than it ever has been.
I have experienced this firsthand. I love working from home, but I also have experienced extreme loneliness because of it. So I went out and got a job as a barista for two days a week just so I could socialize with people. It makes a difference.
When you are at a dance class, you are surrounded by people to connect with who have similar goals to you. This can make you all the more excited to show up to class!
3. Hard Work
Learning how to dance is no easy task. In fact, it’s very hard work. But this hard work teaches you that you can truly do anything that you set your mind to. Discipline in forms like this is actually very good for you.
It can make you more resilient and able to go through life easier. As a teen, establishing this idea and habit young can be a wonderful thing. Then as you grow up, you have the attitude that you can do anything you want!
4. Special Skills
When you learn to dance, you are learning a special skill that can boost your overall confidence. If you are reading this and wondering, “Is 15 too old to learn to dance?” Nope!
You can learn to dance at any age you want to. You don’t need to be young to learn a special skill like this. It’s just something that you will be able to use for the rest of your life. Whether that be as a way to blow off steam or professionally.
5. Form of Expression
If you need an outlet, dance can be a wonderful form of expression. It allows you to put yourself out there and be creative.
Like I said before, when I was having a hard time I would put on some tunes and dance it out. This might be a hilarious image, but it really did drop me into the moment and remind me what was important. I believe that was because I got to move my body and express myself.
6. Improves Their Mental Health
This is a big one. Dancing can improve your mental health for many of the reasons that I listed above. The daily exercise itself has been proven to help exponentially, but couple that with the social aspect of dance and the confidence that learning something new can build.
Your brain is going to be one happy camper! Seriously though, if your teen is struggling with mental health, adding them to a class like this(with their permission and AFTER they get medical help) can be amazing for them.
7. Lots of Fun
Help, this is a benefit. It obviously is a sub-point off of the last one, but I thought it deserved its own spot. Dancing is a lot of fun. You cannot deny that. The more fun you have in your life, the happier you are overall. I think this is plenty of a reason to sign up for dance.
8. Improves Memory
Last but not least, dance can actually improve your memory function! According to this article,
Scientists have found that the areas of the brain that control memory and skills such as planning and organizing improve with exercise. Dance has the added dimensions of rhythm, balance, music, and a social setting that enhances the benefits of simple movement – and can be fun!
I will always have such a soft spot for dancing. Even now, whenever I feel overwhelmed, I just put on some music and dance away the troubles, at least for a little bit. It helps to ground me back into reality, and it really takes the negativity out of every situation.
After all, if I can dance through it, how bad could it really be? I hope you loved learning about the benefits of dance classes for teens and that you feel inspired to take up dance a little yourself. If a class seems like too much, just put on a youtube video and learn from home!
There are many ways that you can still add dance to your life without going to a class. But I will say that having a class to teach you can be lots of fun once you get out of your comfort zone.
Mom to teens with lots of ideas and inspiration to share for travel, food, parties, school & fun!