December 2023

By Colette Walsh

As we embark on the most festive season of the year, some of us are excited and ready to cozy up on the couch with friends and family to watch a movie and get into the holiday spirit. Others, however, are struggling just to leave the couch each day. Seasonal depression, or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD),  can come out of nowhere due to the icy weather and the decrease in daylight hours. While it can be difficult to find the motivation to do anything at all in these times, one way to get out of this seasonal slump is through dance. 

There are many physical and mental health benefits to dancing. As it is a form of exercise, when we dance our bodies release endorphins, the “feel-good” hormones. These hormones act as natural painkillers, making our bodies feel better as we provide them with physical movement. More importantly, endorphins act as stress-relievers that can ease the depression that comes with the seasonal changes. Taking the time to play your favorite music and simply dancing around your living room, alone or with friends and family, can increase your physical and mental health, and boost your overall mood.

While the physical movement component of dance provides great support in combating SAD, what sets it apart from other forms of exercise is the aspect of self-expression. Dancing allows for an outlet to express and navigate the difficult emotions we could be carrying in this gloomy time. When words don’t seem to describe the way we are feeling, or provide us with the relief we are seeking, dancing in an emotionally evoking way might be just the tool our clouded minds need. Dancing is also a great way to promote mindfulness. Moving to music in a rhythmic pattern connects your mind and body, and can even serve as a meditation practice. This allows us to break out of a cycle of depressive thoughts, and provide ease to the seasonal melancholia.

While this dreary weather can burden our minds with negativity, making it hard to find any sort of motivation, I urge you to get up and dance. Give your mind a break from your thoughts, and give your body a boost of energy. As a dancer myself, I cannot emphasize enough the benefits of connecting your mind, body, and spirit through dance, and what it can do for you in these darker months especially. So grab your friends, family, or just your headphones, and dance!🐾