ance has been a means of storytelling, celebration, and communal bonding for centuries. From the rhythmic beats of traditional drums to the fluid movements of the body, dance serves as a medium for expressing identity, spirituality, and emotions. Amidst the complexities of modern life—with technology, social media, and the increasing prevalence of mental health challenges among the youth—dance emerges as a way for hope and healing and a powerful and transformative tool. By fostering confidence and providing a medium for self–expression, dance can be a catalyst for young individuals to overcome the mental health challenges they grapple with.
In today’s world, the wellbeing of young people has become a paramount concern. There are rising numbers of depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders among youth; which result in challenging situations in their homes, school, community, and interpersonal relationships. The relentless pace of the modern world and rising individualism, coupled with technology, have introduced new stressors and challenges. The alarming numbers of mental health issues among the youth are asking us to look at more holistic approaches that address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of these challenges.
While not immediately associated with therapeutic qualities, dance is a fun and accessible means of supporting mental health challenges, adaptable to diverse cultural contexts. Dance Movement Therapy is all about using your body as the vehicle for expressing your emotions. The act of movement releases endorphins, such as dopamine, promoting wellbeing and stress reduction. Dance, as an emotional language, transcends verbal communication, offering a distinctive avenue for self–expression and emotional release. This form of psychotherapy uses dance to promote emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration of the individual, to improve health and wellbeing. Fortunately, the therapeutic qualities of dance are already accessible to everyone, right here, right now, just by hitting play and moving your body to the music.
A great quality of dance is that it’s often inclusive and accessible to people of different ages, backgrounds, and abilities, thus promoting a sense of belonging and connectedness. The universal language of dance, whether performed individually or in groups, transcends boundaries, connecting people from diverse backgrounds. Inclusivity and breaking down barriers are inherent in dance. In a world marked by individualism, where young people seek connectedness, dance is pivotal in fostering unity. That said, humans often dance in groups; we synchronize our movements and try to move in harmony with one another on the beat, creating a sense of shared experience. Many forms of dance are deeply rooted in cultural traditions and participating in these dances can create a sense of belonging or togetherness to a particular cultural or social group.
Dance also provides a unique platform for self–expression, acting as a catalyst for cultivating inner strength among young individuals. Whether hip–hop, ballroom, or ballet, dance styles offer a safe outlet for self–expression. Music serves as the foundation for instigating feelings, stimulating the brain’s reward center, and creating a synergy where individuals can immerse themselves in expressing emotions through dance. While each individual is unique, so are their movements, and it becomes a beautiful partnership between expression and identity. Consider krumping, an energetic dance style that channels aggression into a constructive outlet, preventing it from escalating into physical confrontations. For individuals facing mental health challenges, where verbal articulation is daunting, dance becomes an instinctive, immediate, and profound alternative means of communication.
Using dance as a method to support mental health challenges, emphasis is placed on its qualities of self–expression, confidence–building, identity, and belonging. Recognizing the transformative potential of movement and expression becomes essential in empowering young people facing mental health challenges in a stress–laden world. By taking a holistic approach to the well–being of young individuals, dance emerges as a powerful ally in overcoming mental health obstacles.
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Beyond self-expression, dance is an accessible form of therapy for youth
Photo by Samantha Weisburg on Unsplash.
March 1, 2024
By fostering confidence and providing a medium for self–expression, dance can be a catalyst for young individuals in diverse cultural contexts to overcome the mental health challenges they grapple with, writes Cherrelle Druppers.
D
ance has been a means of storytelling, celebration, and communal bonding for centuries. From the rhythmic beats of traditional drums to the fluid movements of the body, dance serves as a medium for expressing identity, spirituality, and emotions. Amidst the complexities of modern life—with technology, social media, and the increasing prevalence of mental health challenges among the youth—dance emerges as a way for hope and healing and a powerful and transformative tool. By fostering confidence and providing a medium for self–expression, dance can be a catalyst for young individuals to overcome the mental health challenges they grapple with.
In today’s world, the wellbeing of young people has become a paramount concern. There are rising numbers of depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders among youth; which result in challenging situations in their homes, school, community, and interpersonal relationships. The relentless pace of the modern world and rising individualism, coupled with technology, have introduced new stressors and challenges. The alarming numbers of mental health issues among the youth are asking us to look at more holistic approaches that address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of these challenges.
While not immediately associated with therapeutic qualities, dance is a fun and accessible means of supporting mental health challenges, adaptable to diverse cultural contexts. Dance Movement Therapy is all about using your body as the vehicle for expressing your emotions. The act of movement releases endorphins, such as dopamine, promoting wellbeing and stress reduction. Dance, as an emotional language, transcends verbal communication, offering a distinctive avenue for self–expression and emotional release. This form of psychotherapy uses dance to promote emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration of the individual, to improve health and wellbeing. Fortunately, the therapeutic qualities of dance are already accessible to everyone, right here, right now, just by hitting play and moving your body to the music.
A great quality of dance is that it’s often inclusive and accessible to people of different ages, backgrounds, and abilities, thus promoting a sense of belonging and connectedness. The universal language of dance, whether performed individually or in groups, transcends boundaries, connecting people from diverse backgrounds. Inclusivity and breaking down barriers are inherent in dance. In a world marked by individualism, where young people seek connectedness, dance is pivotal in fostering unity. That said, humans often dance in groups; we synchronize our movements and try to move in harmony with one another on the beat, creating a sense of shared experience. Many forms of dance are deeply rooted in cultural traditions and participating in these dances can create a sense of belonging or togetherness to a particular cultural or social group.
Dance also provides a unique platform for self–expression, acting as a catalyst for cultivating inner strength among young individuals. Whether hip–hop, ballroom, or ballet, dance styles offer a safe outlet for self–expression. Music serves as the foundation for instigating feelings, stimulating the brain’s reward center, and creating a synergy where individuals can immerse themselves in expressing emotions through dance. While each individual is unique, so are their movements, and it becomes a beautiful partnership between expression and identity. Consider krumping, an energetic dance style that channels aggression into a constructive outlet, preventing it from escalating into physical confrontations. For individuals facing mental health challenges, where verbal articulation is daunting, dance becomes an instinctive, immediate, and profound alternative means of communication.
Using dance as a method to support mental health challenges, emphasis is placed on its qualities of self–expression, confidence–building, identity, and belonging. Recognizing the transformative potential of movement and expression becomes essential in empowering young people facing mental health challenges in a stress–laden world. By taking a holistic approach to the well–being of young individuals, dance emerges as a powerful ally in overcoming mental health obstacles.
