Wednesday, April 20, 2011

It's Wed., 4/20 ... What's YOUR Drug of Choice?

Where does the time go? We’re already at that point in the semester when final projects and exams are taking over our lives. While classes are still in session there’s no doubt that it’s quite exhausting balancing our typical daily responsibilities with more that come along as we close out yet another semester. Don’t rush it! Instead of wishing these last few days away, manage them. Being able to manage time & stress in a healthy way, such as through exercise, is essential in order for us to focus and get through these last few weeks that separate us from summer vacation. I know what you’re thinking…even though summer is right around the corner, it doesn’t feel like spring outside! Today, for example, it’s 43 degrees & cloudy - not exactly the kind of weather that motivates one to go outside for a nice walk or run. And the gym feels so repetitive and boring. I’m with you – I feel all those things too. We need to relieve stress in a way that also allows us to feel an adrenalin rush to help keep our spirits & energy up. Lucky for us, there’s a solution: a way to get our natural high through exercise without having to go outside or be bored while doing it: Dance.

Dancing provides us with tons of health benefits, not to mention the calories you burn and the amount you sweat while doing it! By participating in an hour-long aerobic dance class you could burn over 540 calories! That’s more than you would burn on the elliptical for an hour (plus who has the patience to stay on the elliptical for a full hour?!) Dancing is similar to running in that it allows us to work every single muscle and bone in our body at once. It reduces stress and tension (especially while listening to loud music you love to help drown out all of the things running through your mind). Dancing increases one’s energy level, builds endurance, improves strength without causing one to bulk up due to increased muscle mass, and helps in muscle toning, coordination & flexibility. Being flexible is so important, because better flexibility leads to better overall physical performance and improves, not only muscle balance, but also posture. Of course, like all aerobic activity, dancing improves one’s heart health and helps to decrease blood pressure and cholesterol. When you finish you'll feel so good about yourself and great about your body - what better high is there?

Above all, dancing is so much fun – something you can either do alone or with friends, depending on your mood. There are dance classes offered all over the place, especially in major cities such as Boston and throughout the surrounding Boston area. Personally I enjoy going to Dance Jamz on Monday and Wednesday nights at World Rhythms Dance Studio in Somerville, MA. Dance Jamz is a one hour-long dance workout class where I go to get off campus, sweat, get a great workout, clear my mind and relieve stress. As my dance coach, Stephanie Hubbard says, “Dance is my drug of choice…, join me!”

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