Relieve Stress: Sometimes You Just Have To DANCE
Posted: Friday, July 04, 2008
by Laura Trahan
The last few weeks have been extremely stressful. I am not sure why exactly just that maybe summer hit and my family never knows how or when to stop? Lately, I have been thinking it is time to slow down and with the weekend upon us it is time to take action.
For a family that is constantly stressed and going, it is difficult to know just how to relieve that stress and slow down. I know it sounds bizarre, but somehow your body gets used to the going and going and going mode until you just can't be relaxed.
They want a toy - they grab it.
They want to talk-they tell all the family secrets.
They get upset- they throw their self down on the floor and kick and scream.
There is no thinking, just action. I noticed something yesterday that I have witnessed for years, but never really realized.
When toddlers are happy-they dance! They not only dance, but they mix it in with a little laughing and spinning! What a life-to be able to just dance and twirl right in the middle of the day.
Yesterday, it felt as if our room was completely out of control. Kids were throwing toys. This boy was pushing this girl. Shoes were being taken off. Kids were screaming and running around the room.
We decided it was enough so we took the kids outside to paint the wall and do sidewalk chalk. Paint the wall is the best invention I have ever found out about. Toddlers love it. You take a pail of water and a paintbrush and let them go paint. The water turns the wall darker and they are playing in water so pure happiness results.
I noticed that one of the little girls was dancing as she painted. With the biggest grin, she would paint the wall and shake it at the same time. I couldn't help but to crack up! How carefree is that to be going about your work and dancing at the same time. How funny it would be to just be in your office setting and start dancing.
My family has found dancing to be the ultimate stress reliever. I am not sure if it is the exercise or the sight of us dancing because believe me-it is a sight. It isn't long though until the big belly laughs come and the stress has floated away.
My husband can not show any rhythm. So his silliness even when he is trying to dance for real makes us all giddy. My son has followed in the tradition with a crazy signature dance of his own that sort of reminds me of the walk like an Egyptian craze in the 80's. My daughter doesn't have a chance as I watch her try to be funny as well. The point is in the privacy of our house, we dance. We relieve stress and relax. Why can't we do that everywhere in life? Perhaps it is the fear of being admitted to the mental hospital. Perhaps there is a chance of being arrested (so the case with my husbands dancing
). Whatever the reason, how awesome would it be if we
just stopped in every situation and danced?I recently saw this video and it portrays it better than anything I could ever write. Enjoy!
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Laura, thank you so much for what you wrote and for the video. You are right and why shouldn't we learn from our little ones. I used to "dance" at my various jobs until I was questioned and ribbed about it one too many times. Mostly it would just be a pirouette with my hands over my head or a little hop and skip, but it always made me feel better. Sometimes it was an expression of how I was feeling. What's wrong with that? Spread the joy! Dance when you feel like it. Thanks again, DianneAwesome Dianne! Good job having the nerve to dance! I am completely impressed and if I worked with you, I think I would join in or at the very least clap! Thanks so much for commenting! Hearing your story, brightened my day!
hi laura, your article was well written and interesting, but your idea to include the best video i have ever watched in 52 years (i have 3 kids remember, so there have been many) was brilliant! what a great reminder of what people have been saying for generations, "dance relieves stress" however, mine might bring it on:) i have never seen anything on youtube, although aware of it, thanks for sharing it with me. damn that was good! i was smiling the whole time (another stress reliever, the heck with the wrinkles:) best regards to you, sue
Hi Laura, I could picture that little girl and it made me smile. Thanks for the reminder. I do dance in my chair and work quite often, especially if I feel myself getting uptight. I don't get the Christian station in my office, so I listen to the 80's station. Lots of fun and great opportunities to dance. I do have a confession to make, You have me wanting to see your hubby "bust the move". Have a great week. It has been so crazy around here for the past two weeks and won't slow down until August sometime. I think I better purpose to dance more often.
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