Monday Musings 11 November 2024: Just dance

Need a dose of Monday motivation? Meet nearly four-year-old Luniko Balile from Cape Town, who’s here to remind us that sometimes, the antidote to chaos is joy in its purest form: dance.

Luniko recently lit up social media while wearing a Spiderman costume and performing a spirited African warrior dance – and it just doesn’t get any cuter!

But what can we all learn from our South African spider-warrior? Turns out, quite a bit. According to research from Harvard Medical School, dance is brilliant for your brain and body. Studies show that synchronising music and movement stimulates the brain’s reward centres, reducing stress, boosting memory, and creating new neural connections.

In fact, dance has shown such profound effects that it’s even being used to treat neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease, significantly slowing down the progression of the disease.

Keen to try dance as a natural remedy? There’s power in how you dance depending on the feeling or problem:

  1. For anxiety or stress: Try simple, repetitive movements – think rocking or gentle spins. These actions help your brain lock into a rhythmic, calming pattern, lowering your heart rate and easing tension.
  2. For sadness or anger: Crank up your favourite high-energy song and go wild with freestyle dancing. The wilder your dance moves, the more frustration and serotonin you’ll release.
  3. For mental clarity: Intricately choreographed dance moves challenge both body and brain, increasing focus and giving your mind a much-needed break from all that political or personal madness.
  4. For joy: Need a pick-me-up? Pull a Luniko! It doesn’t matter which dance moves you choose – it’s the feel-good factor that matters most.

When the world gets heavy, dance can lighten the load.

In the words of Lady Gaga: Just dance. It’s gonna be OK.


Mindful Musings

Monday Musings 11 November 2024: Just dance 1

What the world was musing over this past week

Monday Musings 11 November 2024: Just dance 2

Did Americans steal our milk tart?

South Africans have humorously rallied against Americans over a perceived ‘theft’ of our beloved milk tart, ignited by a viral TikTok video from Thabo Baloyi.


Monday Musings 11 November 2024: Just dance 3

Hops, barley… and breaking barriers

Beer has long been branded a ‘man’s drink,’ but change is brewing thanks to South African women like Wendy Pienaar of Just Brewing Co. and Megan Gemmell of Clockwork Brewhouse.


Monday Musings 11 November 2024: Just dance 4

Robert Irwin and Prince William explore the Western Cape

The duo recently visited South Africa for the 2024 Earthshot Awards. Read all about where they went and what inspired them.


Monday Musings 11 November 2024: Just dance 5

Everyone’s scrambling to try these viral egg recipes

From cloud eggs to shakshuka, viral egg recipes are hatching endless creativity, proving there’s no limit to what you can do with a clutch of eggs and a sprinkle of social media inspo.