{"id":110971,"date":"2025-05-19T13:45:17","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T13:45:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stress.org\/?post_type=news&p=110971"},"modified":"2025-05-19T13:45:17","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T13:45:17","slug":"this-physical-activity-is-better-at-reducing-stress-than-going-to-the-gym-its-not-sex","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.stress.org\/news\/this-physical-activity-is-better-at-reducing-stress-than-going-to-the-gym-its-not-sex\/","title":{"rendered":"This physical activity is better at reducing stress than going to the gym \u2014 it\u2019s not sex"},"content":{"rendered":"

Looking to step up your workouts?<\/p>\n

Forget running on the treadmill or\u00a0cycling to work<\/a>. An international team of researchers suggests a different activity to manage stress, build resilience and improve well-being \u2014 dancing.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur research shows that by dancing, we can tap into a natural stress-relief mechanism that enhances our resilience and helps us cope with daily pressures,\u201d\u00a0said Jonathan Skinner<\/a>, co-author of the study at the University of Surrey in the UK.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

An international team of researchers suggests dancing to manage stress, build resilience and improve well-being.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s fascinating to see how something as enjoyable as dance can have profound effects on our mental health.\u201d<\/p>\n

Skinner\u2019s team found that dancing facilitates the expression of emotions, strengthens social connections, improves mood and stimulates the release of \u201cfeel good\u201d hormones like oxytocin and endorphins.<\/p>\n

The research, published recently in the journal\u00a0<\/a>Psychology of Sport & Exercise<\/a>, reports that dancing reduces anxiety, restlessness, salivary levels of the stress hormone cortisol, heart rate and\u00a0blood pressure<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a time when mental health is more critical than ever, our findings advocate for the integration of dance into community health initiatives,\u201d Skinner said.<\/p>\n

\u201cEncouraging people to move together can create a sense of belonging and support while enhancing their ability to cope with stress.\u201d<\/p>\n

A 2022 review of studies<\/a>\u00a0on the physiological and psychological benefits of dancing came to a similar conclusion \u2014 it fosters relationships and enhances joy.<\/p>\n

The researchers, from China, noted that dancing can be done virtually everywhere \u2014 at home, in a studio, solo or in large groups. It requires no special equipment, which means that anyone can do it.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn summary, dance can be used as an appropriate and alternative physical activity mode for children and adolescents,\u201d the researchers wrote in the\u00a0journal Frontiers in Physiology<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe implementation of dance programs needs serious consideration by policymakers, schools, guardians and parents to produce greater long-term increases in physical activity in the foreseeable future,\u201d they added.<\/p>\n

Adults, meanwhile,\u00a0should aim for 150 minutes<\/a>\u00a0of moderate-intensity physical activity and two days of muscle strengthening a week.<\/p>\n

It helps to choose a pleasurable activity, so exercise doesn\u2019t feel like a chore and can be done consistently.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for the best bang for your buck, the style and pace of dance matters.<\/p>\n

A 150-pound person can burn 118 calories in 30 minutes by ballroom dancing,\u00a0per Healthline<\/a>, while 207 calories can melt away in a half hour of swing dancing.<\/p>\n

Some medical experts recommend<\/a>\u00a0ballet for muscle strength, balance, posture and cardio endurance, while others suggest Zumba because it incorporates\u00a0interval training<\/a>. And\u00a0several grannies attest<\/a>\u00a0to the\u00a0power of the pole dance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Original Post- New York Post<\/a><\/p>\n

By\u00a0Tracy Swartz<\/a><\/p>\n

Photo by Pixabay<\/a><\/p>\n

Photo by Kampus Production<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Looking to step up your workouts? Forget running on the treadmill or\u00a0cycling to work. An international team of researchers suggests a different activity to manage stress, build resilience and improve […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":110972,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"give_campaign_id":0,"pmpro_default_level":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false},"categories":[12,178,139,142,15],"tags":[136,137,138,141,143,145,147,151],"class_list":["post-110971","news","type-news","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adult-stress","category-burnout","category-daily-life-blog","category-health","category-mental-health","tag-ais","tag-american-institute-of-stress","tag-anxiety","tag-health","tag-mental-health","tag-relaxation","tag-stress-management","tag-workplace-stress","pmpro-has-access"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThis physical activity is better at reducing stress than going to the gym \u2014 it\u2019s not sex - 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