Dance is a form of self-expression through movement that has been around for centuries. Many people start taking dance classes at a young age and just see it as a fun hobby. For others, however, deeper meaning is found in music and they use their body to emotionally connect with elements of the song that "move" them. No matter the level of talent or training one has in dance, the art form is able to serve as a form of healing for anyone because it allows one to let loose and escape.

Unleash your Creativity and Set yourself Free

The beauty of dance is that any emotion that may be weighing someone down that day can be unleashed and channeled through raw movement. In many instances people like to improvise when dancing and completely let go; in other words, they dance without planned choreography and go along with however their body feels like moving when a song is playing. Whether a more advanced dancer experiences the healing process by doing intricate turns or difficult leaps or a single mom with no dance training hears an Ariana Grande song on the radio and dances around their kitchen after a hard day, the key is that all of the movements are expressive and pure. Various genres of music may inspire people in different ways, but in order to truly feel an increased sense of vitality and awakening, it requires the dancer to be creative and unique. Dancing requires energy but it also builds stamina and may allow the brain to release endorphins, making it a euphoric experience overall.

Dance the Stress Away

One of the perfect remedies for a stressful day is to be free and dance. No one even has to be watching. This provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on overwhelming experiences and focus on breathing and being in the moment. Dancing for 15 minutes to songs that stimulate positivity can be a healing experience and will leave the individual feeling less stressed and upset after. It's nearly impossible to listen to your favorite song and not take a break to smile and enjoy each section thoroughly. It's been proven that dance is therapeutic to people going through rough patches in life and it is an opportunity to be in touch with and in full control of the body. Focusing on mental health is never a bad decision and if something as simple as dancing around a room for a couple minutes can have a positive impact on the process of releasing stress, it is definitely something to recommend to people in all walks of life.

Study the Art of Healing and What it Means

The mental part of what dance can do is something that can be studied and delved into further. Understanding other perspectives outside of the norm and figuring out how to help others work through their struggles in a fun way can be life-changing. One way to do this is by getting involved in social work programs that concentrate on

directly working to alleviate conditions of those in need (like individuals with mental health challenges), such as Adelphi’s MSW Program. Getting a master's in social work teaches people who have a passion for helping others to use clinical skills to actively help change people's situations for the better. Dance may tie into this when teaching the power of healing and helping people find healthy, active ways to diminish their stress.

In conclusion, dance is not typically where one's mind initially goes to when thinking of "healing." Usually this involves some sort of doctor's appointment or medication. In terms of the healing of the mind, however, dancing and letting loose of all fears and negative thoughts can be one of the most freeing experiences in the world.