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Zumba Improves My Mental Health

By HERWriter
 
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improve your mental health with zumba iStockphoto/Thinkstock

“Feel the music. Share the love. Zumba.”

One of my co-workers/friends who recently became a certified Zumba instructor gave me a bracelet with these words on it at the first class she instructed.

These words are a great introduction to the numerous benefits of Zumba besides getting in shape, losing weight and being physically healthy. The popular Latin dance-inspired workout routine is a big hit, especially among women.

Zumba might be so popular because many women love dancing, music and socializing with their friends while working out.

Both exercise and social interaction have been shown to boost mood and alleviate mental illness symptoms, so it makes sense that combining both exercise and social interaction would be even more beneficial.

Dance is also considered more of a hobby and fun activity, not generally associated with the dreaded exercise routine.

A motto from Zumba is even “ditch the workout, join the party,” so that can partly explain the appeal of this fitness program.

In my own personal experience going to several Zumba classes, there was another aspect besides dancing and exercising with friends.

I felt a strong sense of empowerment being with so many women in one room, all of us with the common goal of getting healthy together. There were women of all different sizes, ages and appearances, and there was no sense of negativity toward all these differences.

There was no criticizing of other women for not being skinny or pretty enough, there was only positive vibes and acceptance once we stepped into the fitness studio. We all had smiles on our faces and were pumped for the party to start.

And just like most forms of exercise, Zumba gives a much-needed mood lift.

With the upbeat music playing and chemicals flowing with every movement, it seems to counteract any anxiety and depression I experience (at least during that hour class and for a few hours after). After the class is completed, I feel like I accomplished another portion of my fitness goal, along with all the other women or men who attended class.

Zumba can be another common activity that friends can look forward to, and enjoy doing together. And after a long day at work, we all need something fun we can look forward to doing together.

It helps that most Zumba instructors have an energy and vibrance about them that is unusual, and inspires me to work harder. One of the Zumba instructors at a fitness studio I go to occasionally always makes me laugh with her humor and energy.

It’s always a great time for me when I can get in my workout while laughing and smiling with friends.

When I go to Zumba classes, it’s usually at night, when I’ve had the whole day to become stressed about work and life in general, so it’s naturally a stress-relieving workout as well.

My Zumba instructor friend tells me how Zumba is something she looks forward to because she can escape from her problems at that time, and be somewhere more pleasant, just feeling the music and dancing. It's a way to let go and dance away the frustrations of life. A

And it’s a passion for her. She’s gradually creating more classes and planning to find a permanent fitness studio. I encourage people to come to her classes, and support her as much as possible with Zumba, and that gives me an additional mental boost at times.

An instructor, Dianna King, featured in a Channel 3 news New Zealand article, stated that Zumba is “a message of hope – hope for people who struggle to lose weight, people who are really down and out and really sad and lonely inside.”

And the article mentions that CEO Alberto Perez describes Zumba as “spreading freeing, electrifying joy,” and that it’s more of an emotion and a way to change the world.

Zumba and other group fitness classes were especially helpful at first in my fitness quest, because there was a planned time to go somewhere with a friend.

I wasn’t only letting myself down if I didn’t go, I also would be letting a friend down, which was worse in my eyes. And I usually managed to fit Zumba or other workouts into my schedule more often when a friend was going as well.

In addition, Zumba can be a conversation starter, and could be a way to find new friends. The more topics you can talk about with other people, and the more positive stories you can tell, the better.

Positive and interesting people are the ones others flock to, and both of these qualities are fulfilling by themselves. And by sharing the story of Zumba with other people, you can hopefully encourage them to experience the long-lasting benefits of the Latin dance party as well.

Sources:

Ikram, Ali. A look inside a Zumba conference. Web. August 16, 2012.
http://www.3news.co.nz/A-look-inside-a-Zumba-conference/tabid/420/articleID/265646/Default.aspx

Reviewed August 16, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith

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Anonymous

I personally had no Idea that Zumba has such a positive effect on Women. My girlfriend is really into dieting properly and exercise. I think as people begin to get into the process of losing weight many forget about the aspects of weight loss that are beneficial. Great article. One place I go to go read up on diet, exercise and weight loss is http://harrisreviews.com. This article is a perfect compliment to what this site is all about. Thanks

August 17, 2012 - 9:49pm

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.