In an article written for The American Journal of Psychology, John Czeisler and colleagues asked 1,000 Americans to imagine that they were a person of low self-esteem. They chose this particular picture, as it was one of the most commonly used photographs for the study. This particular picture has the same proportions of people on either end of the self-esteem spectrum.
They found that people who were asked to imagine being part of a dance group in which other people felt less welcome. In this case, the group was not a traditional dance group but rather a dance class where the focus were on the group members. When asked about their experience, it was found that they were significantly less likely to feel welcome at dance class than when they were not asked to imagine. This effect may, in fact, be a form of “self-deprecation,” a self-consciousness common to various forms of anxiety and self-esteem.
What is the role of dance in mental health?
The researchers note that dance has a long history of providing a safe space for many people. Dance is a form of communication, an exercise in feeling and relating, and in turn a means of socializing. The importance of dance as a social and emotional tool has increased in the past decades. Many individuals, particularly teenagers, have been encouraged to embrace dance as a way to feel more socially active and less vulnerable to bullying for its emotional and social benefits.
What is the current evidence for the benefits of dance?
There is strong evidence that dance can significantly reduce anxiety. Numerous studies have found that dance can reduce panic attacks, rumination and loneliness. However, many of these studies are small and tend to rely on self-reports in order to estimate the extent of the effect. Other studies have been conducted in the laboratory setting and found that dancing can actually increase the risk of depression and anxiety, whereas others used other forms of “cognitive behavioral therapy.” It has also been found to reduce anger, and even, when conducted in more traditional settings, have demonstrated an effect on social functioning.
How do dance classes increase self-esteem?
Dance classes can help students feel as good in their own skin as possible during their studies. The classes are often structured as groups of students, sometimes with a lead dancer and sometimes in a room, often paired with others. These classes help students not only feel as if they belong, but also as if they belong everywhere. The fact is, many students are at
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