Dianne Buswell has credited dance for relieving ‘the stress and anxiety of real life’.
In a new interview with DARE Magazine, the Strictly Come Dancing star, 31, revealed exercise ‘takes her to a relaxed place’ as she touched on mental health, self-love and body image.
The ballroom expert turned up the heat as she slipped into a deep blue swimsuit for the publication’s accompanying cover shoot, which was taken in a swimming pool.
‘It’s a mind-awareness thing’: Dianne Buswell credited dance for relieving ‘the stress and anxiety of real life’ in a new interview with DARE Magazine
On her fitness regime, the choreographer, who was partnered up with The Wanted’s Max George on the latest edition of the BBC show, said: ‘I always think you should work out because you want to, not because you have to.
‘I think it should be something you do because it makes you feel good and you’re excited your body can do that, rather than I need to change this or that about myself. It’s about the mind feeling good and the mind giving you energy.
‘It’s a different approach but it works for me, and I know it’s worked for a lot of other people as well.’
The media personality stressed the importance of prioritising the art form as she elaborated: ‘There was a massive period where I couldn’t dance. For me, whenever I dance, I don’t think of any other worry.
In her element: The Strictly star, 31, turned up the heat as she slipped into a deep blue swimsuit for the publication’s accompanying cover shoot, which was taken in a swimming pool
The ballroom expert revealed exercise ‘takes her to a relaxed place’ as she touched on mental health, self-love and body image (pictured with Max George on the show in 2020)
‘Even if the world was crumbling down around me and I went to dance, I would feel almost completely normal in that moment. That’s what I found with yoga and Pilates too.
‘I switch off from everything else and focus on the breath and it takes me to a relaxed place.
‘It’s a bonus that you’re working out at the same time, but it never really feels like that, it’s more a mind-awareness thing. I love that feeling of being taken away from the stress and anxiety of real life.’
The Australian went on to discuss how she’s battled with her self-esteem in the past, stating: ‘[Self-love is] hugely important, so many people don’t give themselves enough credit, but it’s important to be happy with how you are.
‘You should be exercising because, ‘I love that my body can actually do this,’ rather than, ‘I hate this about my body so I’m going to do this.
‘It’s about switching that brain flick in your mind, as doing that helps in the process of being a healthier you. Rather than focusing on things you hate about your body, you’ll achieve so much more looking at the things you love about it.
‘100 percent, it (confidence) has been hard at certain points in my life. [Dancing is] one of those industries where you’re always comparing yourself to other people.’
On comparing herself to other dancers during her childhood, the TV star added: ‘Growing up, that’s all I ever did – compare myself to the dancer next to me, like, ”Oh, I look different to her, my body shape is different, I need to be like her,” because she was winning.
‘My success never came by trying to be someone else’: The Australian went on to discuss how she’s battled with her self-esteem in the past (pictured in 2020)
‘It can be so tough as a dancer to finally go, ”Ok, I accept I am who I am.” The moment I accepted that was when I found all my success came.
‘My success never came by trying to be someone else – in fact I was going down and down and I wasn’t achieving what I wanted to and I didn’t know why.
Dianne admitted she’s excelled in her career since accepting her authentic self as she shared: ‘The minute I was like, ”Right I’m going to be me, this is who I am, this is how my body is, this is how I dance,” everything started to happen.
‘I encourage that in people, to not look at someone else. We’re all different and al have something to offer and the minute you concentrate on that, the sky’s the limit.’
Out now: Dianne Buswell is the cover star of Superdrug’s DARE Fit and Healthy magazine
The athlete has been met with criticism from trolls throughout her three-year stint on Strictly, and admitted she’s faced even more scrutiny since joining YouTube with her influencer boyfriend Joe Sugg, who she’s been dating for three years.
On combatting backlash, Dianne confessed: ‘When I came here, I didn’t realise how big Strictly was and how much you’re literally judged for absolutely everything.
‘At the beginning I found that extremely hard. Moving into the YouTube world, you’re always going to get criticism. It’s awful and really sad, but it’s happening more than we know.
‘But you just have to think about how many positive ones you get, compared to those negative ones. It’s so outweighed, it’s crazy. I’m lucky I can look at the positive ones and go, ”That’s so nice” and the negative ones sort of close it down.
‘But it scares me that some people can’t do that and it could stay in someone’s mind forever and really make a difference. I think more needs to be done about it.’
Dianne Buswell is the cover star of Superdrug’s DARE Fit and Healthy magazine out February the 10th on sale in supermarkets and newsagents.
‘It can be so tough’: The athlete admitted she’s faced even more scrutiny since joining YouTube with her influencer boyfriend Joe Sugg (pictured together earlier this month)