“Dance it out!” is a saying for a reason- dancing brings us joy. And during pregnancy and the postpartum period, dancing can do SO much for us.
As a self-care tip, and a tool for healthy pregnancy and recovery after birth, it’s definitely underrated.
Now, I’m not talking about needing to learn to salsa, or become a ballerina.
Both are worthy goals, and it’s never too late to pick up a new hobby. But frankly, taking up training is entirely too much pressure when you’re transitioning into being a mother for a new baby.
There’s a reason that the saying isn’t “dance like you’re on stage under a spotlight.” It’s because the joy of dancing for pleasure and stress relief doesn’t require that you’re any good at it.
Whether you’re Misty Copeland or Elaine from Seinfeld, dancing during pregnancy can bring you all sorts of good things towards a healthy pregnancy. You can also dance with your baby once they’ve arrived, by rocking them in your arms or doing some babywearing and carrying them in a sling, wrap or buckle carrier.
Dancing during pregnancy or dancing with your baby does things like:
- Open up your hips
- Make you more comfortable in your body at a time when everything is changing
- Get you active while pregnant, which can help you have a healthy pregnancy and possibly shorten labor
- Getting endorphins flowing, which can help your mood, always important when you’re losing sleep and are at risk of perinatal mood & anxiety disorders
- Help oxytocin flow, so you can bond with your partner if you dance together, and if done during labor can even stimulate contractions
- Becoming an opportunity to bond with the baby in utero and afterwards, by sharing your favorite music
- Give you an opportunity to have fun and remember who you are other than a mom
And of course, we can’t recommend dancing without telling you some of our favorite albums to dance to, so here are a few:
Sam:
- Water Me by Lizzo
- Rasperry Beret by Prince
- Grown Woman by Beyonce
Ashleigh:
- Crazy in Love by Beyoncé
- Dog Days Are Over by Florence + The Machine
- 24K Magic by Bruno Mars
Ashenia Haydel:
- Rock With You by Michael Jackson-
- Stronger by Kelly Clarkson
Kim Stinger:
- Steady Love by India Irie
- Chocolate High by India Irie
- So In Love by Anthony Hamilton
Hopefully something on our list makes you feel like moving and grooving. But if not, go ahead and dance it out to whatever works for you.
Check out our online pregnancy course just for you… Attain.
