In the pursuit of diminishing their anxiety, one person found a unique but powerful way to do this—cooking and dancing in their kitchen. The subject, who frequently seeks quick fixes within the confines of their flat, found themselves surrounded by the remnants of stress: stale chocolate digestives, a pack of cigarettes, and a kitchen radio that had been humming faintly throughout the morning. Such a diverse setting just so happened to be the backdrop for an immersive experience that would radically change how they all learned to manage excitement and nerves.
The person would end up coping with things like gobbling sweets and chain-smoking. Sadly, these solutions never provided permanent alleviation. Finally, while they all agree exercise is a great outlet, the lack of accessibility is still an issue. The subject was living with multiple anxiety inducing stressors. Miscommunications, employer emails, misplaced things, unanswered DMs all added to the heightened anxiety, necessitating a quick fix that went above and beyond. It was in one of these panicked states that a surprising solution emerged.
As a huge fan of Grey’s Anatomy, the topic drew creative influence from the show’s long-standing “dance it out” culture. That magical encounter ignited an artistic vision within the other creator. The idea lit a fire under their butts. Or that they often lost themselves in a fit of kitchen dancing, shaking to disco hits on the radio from the 70s. What started as a playful creative experiment soon turned into a deeply engaging experience. Picture this, they probably thought, picturing themselves on a packed, sweaty dancefloor and let the melodic concoction take them far from home.
By the third song, the subject was experiencing a significant change. Their anxiety was starting to dissolve. This unfamiliarity proved to be a key factor. It helped them escape the trap of second guessing and self-conscious anxiety. This new approach to moving their bodies was a fun and energizing outlet for them to release their energy. Unlike other healthier coping methods that hadn’t worked in the past, this one changed everything.
For years, their friends mocked them for their funky dance moves. They quickly took to their new creativity with gusto. They stumbled upon one happy accident that has proven a huge relief. Though unexpected, this COVID moment was joyful for their family, and it shaped every future training cycle. Dancing regularly has been an essential aspect of their overall stress relief regimen. It offers an abruptly-needed respite from the stress of our daily lives.
This experience, though, made me realize that it’s essential to find the right approach to anxiety that feels effective and personal to you. Others just go for the basic, proven stuff—exercise, meditation. It is through creativity where we really start to see the alternative routes to health and healing. For this specific person, expression through dance has developed into a crucial asset in understanding and coping with their emotions.