Top 10 Ways Belly Dance Makes You Happy & Healthy

​Have you ever told someone that you love Middle Eastern dance and they recoiled with a statement like “Why would you ever want to do that?!” Most people do not understand how our dance form can transform you into your most fabulous, feminine self. It’s something you must experience before you can believe.
Here are 10 solid reasons why you will be a happier, healthier person if you belly dance:

1. Increased dopamine in the brain:  Dopamine is a chemical in the brain that is associated with feelings of pleasure and happiness. Belly dance increases your brain’s dopamine production, providing mood enhancements and balancing your emotional state. It lowers feelings of anxiety and depression. An increase of dopamine also helps you to move towards things that provide positive rewards, so you once you discover belly dance, you will want to continue to shimmy!
2. Energy booster:  Ever enjoyed a really great dance class and then feel even more energized after you were done? That’s because belly dance performed as a regular low-intensity form of exercise increases energy levels by at least 20%, fighting off fatigue. Increased energy enhances overall well-being and happiness.
3. Stress reducer: Sometimes when you struggle with a tough dance lesson, you might feel that the class itself is a form of low-level stress. Know that the more you subject yourself to the ‘stress’ of dancing, the better your body and mind will adapt to handling other kinds of stress.  While some days it is hard to get yourself to the class, afterwards you can attest that you feel great, relaxed, and don’t regret having gone. It might even be the best part of your day!
4. Slow down cognitive decline:  It is wonderful that belly dance is an art form that can be started at any age. Unfortunately, the older we get, the less capable our brain functioning becomes. Studies have shown that regular dance class improves mental performance and brain health, aiding memory and learning. So never back off of that long choreography class because it will increase your memory capabilities in other aspects of your life!
5. More self-confidence:  There’s nothing like an awesome dance class or a successful belly dance performance to give you a feeling of great accomplishment. Also, the more you dance, the more calories you burn, which alters your metabolism and speeds weight loss. Dancing boosts your confidence as you see your body transform for the better.
6. Be more social: While all types of exercise and dance are great for us, belly dancing in a group setting (such as a dance class or training within a troupe) is even better. People perform better when working with a partner, and dancing amongst our friends makes us a happier, more connected bunch.
7. Get better sleep: Having sleep issues? If you dance regularly, it will improve the quality of your sleep, both the depth of your sleep levels and the length of your sleep. We all know how wonderful it feels to get a good night’s sleep.
8. Be more creative: Belly dance gets your creative juices flowing. The ‘belly’ movements stimulate your second chakra, the seat of your creativity. The more you lose yourself in music you love, the more your self-expression will blossom.
9. A more productive you: People who make time for dance on a regular basis are more productive at their day job than those who don’t. When faced with life’s difficult challenges, dance is one way to help you cope with problems in a healthy manner.
10. Weight loss: Belly dancing is a great fat burning workout that keeps you in shape, increases your flexibility, strengthens your bones and tones your muscles. What a great way to maintain an hourglass figure.

Never underestimate the power of belly dance!