The Positive Effects Of Dance-Movement Therapy And Depression

“The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) defines music therapy as ‘an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals’” (Barnett & Shale, 2013, p.48). Music Therapy (MT) is shown to be able to help people with many different kinds of mental health problems such as anxiety, stress, and minor cases of depression. There have been many studies done showing that MT is an effective form of therapy that can improve someone’s overall Quality Of Life (QOL). MT is known as an alternative technique therapy. It is often used instead of, or along with, medication to produce a result in the patience who need it. MT involves all aspects of the music process, including listening to, writing, singing, and analyzing music. Overall MT addresses physical and emotional problems and is used to enhance the life and health of the patient. This review is simply to inform readers of the effects music and MT has on mental health, specifically:

Outside of medicine, I spend my leisure time dancing and choreographing. My love for dance and music stems from my early childhood. I recall listening to Disney songs and “choreographing” dance moves – moves that appeared as uncoordinated, but exquisite loose wiggles. As a result of my parents’ high expectations and strict upbringing, dance was an important activity because it served as a safe haven away from the stress and pressure I felt as a child. Dancing was, and is still, my source of joy and amusement.

Why do people dance? Dance can be used as an everyday activity for young teens or kids to have fun and enjoy being on stage. Another reason is that dance is a way for those who struggle with anxiety to be able to dance away their anxiety and be relaxed for a few hours. Many people believe that dance is just for children because children tend to have the energy and confidence to dance and go on stage. What the society does not know is that dancing is not just for young people, many older women and men enjoy dance just as much as kids do. Some men and women (including kids) suffer from anxiety and attending the dance class helps them and relaxes them. Dancing does help people deal with their anxiety because it helps calm the mind and boosts self confidence.

A 2017 study found that more dancers had positive changes in mood than any other sport. Not unlike a "runner's high," rhythmic movement has been shown to trigger the release of endorphins, which can boost your mood. As much of a mental exercise as a physical one, dancing keeps the mind sharp. In adolescent females, a regular dance class positively impacted their mental health. A study by the American Medical Association found that adolescent girls had more positive thoughts and felt more confidence after dancing. They reported better feelings about their overall health after participating in structured dance classes that focused on enjoying movement rather than perfection and performance

Since 1990s, many scientists agree that exercise has positive impacts on people’s physical health and mental health (SIME WE, 1987). From Morgan and O’Connor’s research, people can reduce stress and state anxiety by doing physical activities; also gain emotional pleasure from the process (Morgan and O’Connor, 1988). Later in 1997, Landers states that physical activities can reduce people depression after weeks of regular and routine exercise. In addition, people can benefit from more

Therapeutic use of music is also extremely effective at reducing the everyday aches and pains that humans experience. Slow and methodical music slows the brain waves and helps the muscles in our body to relax, reducing muscle pain (Coleman). A significant amount of today’s population also experiences depression in some shape way or form and music therapy has been proven to be one of the most successful ways to help patients cope with depression. “Individual music therapy combined with standard care is extremely effective for lowering [depression] among working age people,” says Professor Christian Gold at the University of British Columbia (Paddock). “Music therapy is so effective because it allows patients to express their feelings in a safe way,” mentions Elizabeth Fawcett (MT-BC) (Peach). Hospital patients experienced consistently shorter and more pleasant stays when undergoing music therapy along with traditional treatment (Meyer).

Dance is the beginning of the unit and therefore serves as an introduction to mental and emotions.

In an article by Maria Barrios, she expresses the importance and benefits of dancing. She points out that certain types of dance can be a fun total body workout. I definitely agree because of my personal experience with dancing. After an hour long dance class I feel sweaty and tired then a few minutes later I feel energized like I could do it again. Barrios also points out that dance not only benefits your body but also your mentality.

only stated the findings of the study. The author uses studies that have been published in

Some forms can be that dance is a beautiful form of art, it is definitely qualified as a sport for fun, as a hobby, as a passion or even go for a career in dance.("Dancers as Athletes.") Some of these dance forms may be less intense then others. However, many people are unaware and uninformed about how serious and competitive the dance world can be. Dancers have the same demands on their bodies, health, diet, self esteem and self discipline as any other athlete. (A.Y. Chu and C.H. Wang).

According to the World Health Organization, depression affects over 300 million people worldwide. Many treatments have been created to combat this disease, which at its worst results in suicide and death. Treatments often include psychotherapy and antidepressants. Researchers have been seeking other ways that depression can be treated. One such alternate treatment is music therapy. The application of music to treat depression in various patients has been proven to be equally or more successful than psychotherapy, therefore music therapy is a viable treatment for depression.

This paper explores my main question, “how does movement through dance affect the mental and emotional dimensions of wellness?” I will explore the many unknown benefits that come from dance as well as share expressions of my personal thoughts on the subject. I will also share my personal experiences as well as others’ experiences with dance. In the research portion of my paper, I will cite studies supporting both the mental and emotional benefits of dance. This paper will also explore the perspective of a professor of dance, as well as the lived experiences of actual dance students. My interview will support my paper as it reinforces the findings in literature. I will discuss my future plans on the subject of mental and emotional dance; stressing the need for individuals to dance as the benefits can be

Dance is my therapy. Ever since I was a little girl, I have known that I was going to live the rest of my life dancing. Anytime I find myself in a bad mood, I dance, and all of a sudden I feel happy again. My body is completely aware of when I stop dancing for a period of time. Usually, Christmas break is the worst because of the cold and lack of outdoor activities. If I spend the majority of my time relaxing and doing nothing, my body does not like it. I go from constant movement, all day and every day, the demanding, physical toll of dancing my body endures, to complete relaxation is like running a marathon and then going to sleep immediately after crossing the finish line. After I spend the two weeks of Christmas break doing nothing, not only have I lost a lot of strength and flexibility, but I have lost an even larger amount of motivation and passion. Once I start back to dance, I reconnect with the passion and love I have for it.

Dance movement therapy (DMT) is one of the fastest growing forms of interactive therapy offered today, and understandably so. According to the American Dance Therapy Association, DMT is the “psychotherapeutic use of movement and dance to support intellectual, emotional, and motor functions in the body. As a form of expressive therapy, DMT looks at the correlation between movement and emotion.” DMT has been proven beneficial to various individuals, whether they are suffering from cancer, post traumatic stress disorder, or childhood obesity.

Dance therapy can be helpful to a wide range of patients--from psychiatric patients to those with cancer to lonely elderly people. Dance therapy is often an easy way for a person to express emotions, even when his or her experience is so traumatic he or she can't talk about it. It is frequently used with rape victims and survivors of sexual abuse and incest. It can also help people with physical deficits improve their self-esteem and learn balance and coordination.