4 Ways Spending Time in Nature Can Help You Become a Better Dancer
With the official start of summer less than a month away, hopefully, you and your friends have started planning plenty of festivities. The allure of warm weather, fresh air, and sunshine - especially amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic - is reason enough for us to jump for joy. However, another benefit that comes with embracing the outdoors is the effect of nature on your creativity and mood.
As it turns out, spending quality time in nature is also a way to make you a stronger, happier dancer! Want to know how? Read our list below of 4 ways nature can help you become a better dancer.
Related: Spring Goal Setting for Dancers
The sun provides Vitamin D.
Soaking up some sunlight is a simple way to get your daily dose of Vitamin D. Our bodies naturally produce Vitamin D as a reaction to sunlight exposure. Vitamin D promotes healthy bone development, helps to regulate your immune system, and reduces depression. While it is possible to gain Vitamin D from foods and other supplements, sunlight exposure is the most efficient way.
Scientists believe that the best time of day to sun soak is around noon. At that time, the sun is highest in the sky, and its ultraviolet rays are less intense than they are in the afternoon. During the sun’s peak hours of 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM, limit your direct sun exposure to 30 minutes or less, or use sunscreen.
As a dancer, the benefits of sunlight and optimal levels of Vitamin D will boost your mood and support your overall health. When you feel happier, you will be more energized, creative, and open-hearted.
Walking in nature supports your mental health.
Did you know that walking is a form of meditation? Forest bathing is recognized in Japan as an effective activity for calming your mind and easing stress. Studies show that taking a gentle, mindful walk through a forest or park filled with trees can reduce blood pressure and the production of stress hormones while also unblocking creativity.
The reason it’s considered a “bath,” is because you are allowing yourself to be fully immersed in the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. Additionally, trees emit their own oils to combat sickness and pests, and when we breathe in those oils, we reap some of the benefits as well.
So, the next time you go for a walk, try to find a safe, tree-filled park to stroll through while taking some deep breaths and reflecting. Allow yourself to tap into the natural rhythm of nature. Walking before or after a performance, audition, or dance lesson can help you calm your nerves and approach your craft from a stress-free perspective.
Nature is inspiring.
From mountains and oceans to deserts and jungles, Earth is an effortless masterpiece. As a dancer in need of creative inspiration, observing the beauty of nature can be just as effective - if not more - as going to a museum. What’s best is that it’s free and accessible to you as long as you can go outside or, at the very least, sit near a window.
Dancers can gain great inspiration by studying nature’s elements. For example, the swaying of trees in the breeze, the bending of water streaming around rocks, the sporadic movement of squirrels as they jump from limb to limb, or the gracefulness of birds spreading their wings to fly can all be channeled into your movements on stage. Perhaps you find inspiration from the sun as it slowly rises each morning, feeling warmer each minute, or the quiet, solemn glow of a full moon.
Related: #BGDBSpringPhotoChallenge: 10 Spring Photoshoot Prompts for Dancers
Being outdoors promotes a physically healthy lifestyle.
Many outdoor activities require some level of physical activity. Whether it be walking your dog, watering plants, playing an outdoor sport, or spending a day in the pool, there’s a high change that you’ll be motivated to move just by being outside.
As a dancer, this additional movement can help build, stretch and recover your muscles. Incorporating a simple daily routine outdoors will also help increase your stamina and strength.
Can you think of other ways nature can have a positive effect on you as a dancer? Tell us in the comments below! In the meantime, make sure to go out and get some fresh air this week!