Go Back
May 15 2022
Need a Mood Boost? Dance Workouts May be the Exercise for You
We’ve all been there. It just wasn't your day. You're tired. And you really just feel like hitting the couch with your favorite show and some ice cream. But that little old saying you’ve heard before is ringing in your ears... ”you never regret a workout.” So, you use your superwoman powers to toss your hair in a ponytail and head to class. (You go gorgeous!)
Cut to the end of your workout and you’re dancing out of class feeling so much happier and lighter, it actually kind of feels like magic. And while it may not be magic per se, it’s actually pretty close… it’s endorphins.
What Are Endorphins?
Endorphins are hormones created in the brain that are responsible for the pleasurable feeling associated with certain activities, like exercise. Endorphins can also help to reduce stress and pain.
You know that natural high you get after a workout? That’s the endorphins! When you work out, your body is flooded with these “feel-good” chemicals, making it pretty tough to regret a good sweat sesh… especially when it’s a dance workout!
Why Are Endorphins Mood-Boosters?
When you work out, your brain perceives the increase in activity as a possible external threat. So no, you’re not running from a saber-toothed tiger, but your brain hasn’t gotten that memo! Preparing for the possibility of impending harm, the body begins to produce an excess of endorphins, thereby flooding the system with its very own mood elevators.
How to Maximize the Happy
Now that you know how much endorphins can do for you, you may be wondering how much exercise it takes for them to kick in. Some tips to feel that happy high include:
Exercise for at least 30 minutes: According to a 2011 study, endorphin release is linked to continuous exercise and does not occur until you have been exercising for at least 30 minutes.
Workout with friends: According to a study from 2010, participants who exercised with a group experienced a greater endorphin boost than when going it alone. Not only are your Jazzercise peers a supportive group of cheerleaders—they’re also helping to get those endorphins flowing!
Dance It Out: Good news Jazzercise Babes! When it comes to dance workouts, the news is very, very good for your brain! According to Dr. Peter Lovatt, a psychologist from the University of Hertfordshire, “You appear to get a much bigger release of endorphins when you dance than during other forms of exercise… for many people, dancing prompts an emotional release—often that’s uncomplicated happiness, while for some it can make them cry. It’s cathartic—a letting go of pent-up emotions.”
So there you have it, dance cardio equals lots of endorphins and even more of that runner’s…er…dancer’s high! What are some of your favorite ways to get your endorphins flowing? Tell us!
