Dancing Heals
Written By: Sydney Rubinstein ‘27
Edited By: Angelica Marin ‘27
Do you ever get that antsy feeling where you need to just move your body or you feel like you might explode? Some people go for runs, or engage in meditative practice. Well, I like to have dance parties. Dance parties, in my opinion, are the most underrated form of spending time both alone and with others. When it’s boiled down, dancing isn't just a form of performance. Dancing is a form of release. It’s a form of creative expression that quite literally anyone can find enjoyment in. For me, dancing is a meditative practice. It is a way to find presence within my mind and body; a way to narrow my thoughts down to a certain beat of a song, or the heartbeat of another person near me. A way for me to acknowledge that “although there is so much mess in my brain, I can take three minutes to move with this person, with this song.”
We have entered an age of music where dancing is coming to the forefront. For example, Tyler, the Creator’s "Don't Tap the Glass” album was created to encourage people to put their phones down at his concerts and just dance. No deep or alternative meaning- songs simply made to move and groove. In a similar nature, the various subgenres of House and Techno have faced a major resurrection. Since its creation in the 1980s, electronic music has existed as a designated safe space for dancing and expression. Whether it’s a rave festival or kitchen counter, electronic music continues to bring together groups of people to be present through dance. In fact, the human body is biologically attracted to house music due to its BPMs. The “standard” BPM for a house track falls somewhere between 115 and 130. Similarly, the standard range of BPM for a human's resting heart rate is somewhere between 60-100. This means that the BPM of house music is usually around double what the BPM of a resting heart rate is, making people feel more at ease, and acting as a magnet for the human heart. Adding dancing into the mix (no pun intended) creates this beautiful cocktail of endorphin release and relaxation that the human body is drawn to.
As silly as it sounds, my favorite way to get through a bad day is to “dance it out.” Putting on a happy song and forcing my body to move allows me to escape the strain of my day and physically let go of my tension. As students, we hold on to so many different expectations and stressors that take a substantial toll on our health and wellbeing. Growing up, I was always told that exercise is the best way to unwind after a long day, however, I’ve never been a big gym rat. Dancing is the perfect way to move your body while also creating a state of presence and confidence. Allowing yourself to move however you want without the expectation of doing something “right” or “wrong.” When it comes to dancing, simply committing to it is exactly what you should do. So the next time you feel that sense of restlessness, just dance it out. Dance it out for as long as you need, and then maybe dance it out some more.