Therapy can be a frightening word because it brings up images of dimly lit waiting rooms filled with bad reading materials. But like the “smiling therapy” I recently reviewed there are in fact many fun ways to pursue therapeutics. One of the most fun forms of anxiety therapy I can think of is dance therapy. So despite your possible misgivings about looking goofy and or falling on your face you shouldn’t be afraid to get on a dance floor. This is because there is real evidence to suggest that dancing can help improve your mood and serve as an excellent anxiety therapy.

Now when most people think of exercise or therapy (dancing is both) they automatically envision a gym filled with tons of sweaty people staring at each other or a cramped office with a couple of chairs. However when it comes to anxiety therapy you have options and one of the more interesting ones is dance therapy. Among all the different types of dancing there are a few that have shown to be very therapeutic for people struggling with many types of conditions, such as depression and Parkinson’s disease. According to National Public Radio’s “The World” the tango is one of the best since it is good for fostering both “cognitive and emotional health”. Reporting from the first ever International Conference on Tango Therapy, the report gave examples of how the Tango provides help with memory and attention deficit issues.

Researchers speculate that the complex Tango dance requires so much of your concentration and new skill development that the participants become wrapped up in what their doing and not much else. As one Tango dancer being interviewed put it “I lose myself in the music and movement”. Psychologytoday.com proclaims that dance goes way beyond just exercise and according to one study conducted by the University of London dancing can make a  difference when it comes to reducing anxiety. The study used patients with anxiety disorder and broke them up into groups which spent time in different types of therapy. The patients that had participated in dance therapy faired much better than those that didn’t.

And although Tango may be king to some researchers there are other dances that you could try – here is a short list in no particular order.

1. Ball Room Dancing

2. Swing

3. Ballet

4. Line Dancing

5. Salsa

6. Modern Dance

7. Hip Hop Dance

8. Folk Dance

9. Belly Dance

10. Chicken Dance

Dance therapy can be a fun and interesting way to lower your anxiety “baseline”. And even if you can’t afford to attend a snazzy dance studio – turn up some music and get moving. Some of you are probably not good dancers (be honest) but who cares? And remember that rhythm is not a prerequisite – so try dancing with close friends and family or alone if your self-conscious and at least try to have a good time. Are you one of those people that has bones popping and crackling when they get up? Then you my friend are a prime candidate for a trip to funky town.

Finding effective forms of therapy can be difficult. But what should not be difficult is your ability to choose something that you feel is fun. This week’s anxiety therapy series is about finding different ways to cope with anxiety – and dancing definitely fits that role. And don’t forget to smile big as you dance and double up on your good mood.

Recommended Listening: Self-Healing With Sound & Music

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