Dance and stress regulation: A multidisciplinary narrative review
Sandra Klaperski-van der Wal1, Jonathan Skinner2, Jolanta Opacka-Juffry3
1Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Thomas van Aquinostraat 4, 6525 GD, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; School of Life & Health Sciences, University of Roehampton, Holybourne Avenue, SW15 4JD, London, United Kingdom.
Psychology of Sport and Exercise
|February 8, 2025
Summary
Dance offers significant benefits for stress regulation by combining music, social connection, and movement. This holistic approach enhances coping mechanisms and promotes resilience, making dance a powerful tool for mental well-being.
Area of Science:
- Psychology and Neuroscience
- Socio-cultural Studies
- Physiology
Background:
- Physical exercise aids stress regulation, but specific types like dance are under-researched.
- Dance integrates music, social contact, and movement, all known for stress-reducing effects.
- Limited research exists on dance's specific role in exercise and stress management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the complex relationship between dance and stress using a multidisciplinary narrative review.
- To integrate psychological, neurobiological, physiological, and socio-cultural findings on dance and stress.
- To examine the specific effects of music, rhythm, partnering, social contact, and physical activity in dance.
Main Methods:
- Multidisciplinary narrative review.
- Integration of psychological, neurobiological, physiological, and socio-cultural research.
- Analysis of dance's components: music, rhythm, social interaction, and movement.
Main Results:
- Strong evidence supports dance's beneficial stress regulatory effects, promoting coping and resilience.
- Neurobiological mechanisms involve modulation of dopamine, oxytocin, and beta-endorphin, impacting the stress system.
- Socio-cultural factors highlight dance as a universal human expression for bonding, healing, and collective coping.
Conclusions:
- Dance has significant potential for aiding coping and resilience across multiple human experience levels.
- Existing research often lacks a holistic view, focusing narrowly on exercise intensity.
- Further research is needed for a comprehensive understanding of dance's stress-regulatory mechanisms.
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