Why we should dance more

People have always danced, but we seem to be doing it less and less these days. Why is that? Journalist Jocelyn de Kwant does some soul searching to find out why we should get into the groove more often.

It’s not customary in Western culture to spontaneously break out into dance, and it’s not so easy to get beyond this obstacle. Once you do get over it, however, the list of positive effects is a long one. “Dancing is a great way to free yourself from your daily cares, but it goes even farther than this,” Bergsma says. “As psychologist William James said, ‘The body is a sounding board for the emotions’. You will be more inclined to start dancing if you are feeling comfortable, and you will maintain your positive mood.

It works the other way around too. You can manipulate your emotions through movement; you can turn a gloomy mood around by dancing. Gloomy feelings respond well to ‘high-arousal’ motions, which are fast, repetitive and rhythmic movements. Slow movements work best for people suffering from anxiety or stress. When you dance, you feel more of a zest for life; you experience your own vitality. This can be a tremendous source of strength.”