Happiness isn’t hard to achieve. This graphic suggests that if you’re happy, you probably like to dance. Then again, it also states that if you’re not happy, you need to start dancing. Brilliant…I guess life really is simple!

How is it that dancing has such power?

Here’s the deal. Physical activity releases endorphins which, in addition to reducing pain, also contribute to an increase in joyful feelings. In the case of dancing, the benefits are double because:

• …you have the social aspect of engaging with others while you dance.
• …music is involved which improves relaxation and self-esteem.

In other words, dancing makes you feel good.

Don’t worry, be happy.

Some people actually say, “I don’t dance because I want to. I dance because I have to.” That’s because, as food feeds the body, dance feeds the soul.

Music can be exhilarating or soothing. It can make you calm when you’re nervous, peaceful when you’re stressed. To put it another way, music makes us dance and dance makes us happy.

Let’s try an experiment.

First, you have to get in a crummy mood. Do you cry at sad movies? You know, movies like Titanic or Ghost. Pick a real tearjerker to watch and make sure you have plenty of tissues. Feel your sadness taking over and overwhelming you.

After watching, how do you feel? Pretty sure you’re not too happy…

Now, play an uptempo song with a great beat, something like “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry or maybe Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk“. Don’t lie, you know you’re dying to dance. Get up, get moving, and start feeling good. If there’s someone else around, grab him or her and boogie together.

After all, everyone knows music, dancing, and someone to dance with is a powerful recipe for happiness!

Do you want a secret weapon for when you don’t feel joyful?

Dance, dummy, dance!

It’s natural to be hesitant to get up and dance if you’re not sure how. But, it’s sort of like taking medicine. You do it because it’s gonna make you feel better. So, go to a dance studio and pick up a few lessons to get started. Here’s a Dance Safari post that will help you, “How to Check Out a Ballroom Dance Studio“. You can count on Dance Safari to give you the lowdown every step of the way.