There is something about dancing that just makes you happy, right? I think that's one of the reasons why Zumba and Just Dance are such big hits. Just Dance 4 (compare prices) is high on the wish list at our house.
A new study published online this month lends weight to my theory. In a small group of teen girls who often reported feeling stressed or anxious at school, participating in twice-a-week dance classes eased symptoms. And the improvement persisted even a year after the study period was over. Anna Duberg, a physical therapist in Sweden, led the research team. Dance classes were held twice a week, and emphasized fun and movement--not performance.
The research appears in the journal Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.
Photo: Digital Vision