Proven, positive association between physical movement (dancing anyone?) and mental health…

Employee burnout is a global concern. In a recent survey of over 1000 respondents by Deloitte, 77% say they have experienced burnout at their current job and 91% say that unmanageable stress or frustration impacts the quality of their work. Many of us are also feeling the weight of current events: the pandemic, war, polarization, division, violence, fight for equality, etc… 

How to do we care for ourselves in this unstable world?  

Question, when was the last time you moved your body with joy?

* A UCLA study showed that free form unchoreographed dancing helped 96% of participants with anxiety or depression cope with their condition.

* June 2021, the John W. Brick Foundation released their Move Your Mental Health Report, which provides a scoping review of over 1,000 studies on a variety of physical activity, exercise, or movement type and any mental health outcome published between 1990 and 2020. Out of 1,158 studies examined, 89% found a statistically significant, positive association between physical activity or exercise and mental health.

* A study by the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry shows physical activity in outdoor natural environments has a greater effect on physical and mental wellbeing than physical activity indoors. 

— Marisa Hamamoto (Japanese-American professional dancer and social entrepreneur, based in California. While taking a dance class in 2006 she was paralyzed from the neck down due to a disease called spinal cord infarction. Fortunately, she recovered most of her mobility and walked out of the hospital two months after her diagnosis. Then in 2014 she witnessed wheelchair dancing at the Abilities Expo in LA and became interested in the area of dance and disability. She Founded Infinite Flow, an LA based nonprofit and professional dance company composed of dancers with and without disabilities. The company uses dance to inspire social inclusion and innovation. Hamamoto was recognized in 2019 by Dance Teacher magazine for her commitment and service in the field of dance. She was also a recipient of San Fernando Valley Business Journal’s Women in Business Awards.). 

Hamamoto talks about moving our bodies with intention and joy, which may include dancing, roller skating or what have you. Traditional therapy left Hamamoto’s body feeling heavier and tenser, whereas fun physical movement made her feel happy and became a daily form of “movement meditation.” Something to consider… Just sayin’ :) Hugs. XO

Blessings,

Chatgirl