Dancing and Mental Health

This week, one of my dancers tagged me in a Facebook post that said: "Dear Line Dance Instructor. You are someone's favourite hour of the week." I was very touched indeed - and it made me think...

When I first started line dancing, it was exactly that. I would hand the baby over to his dad and dash out of the door for my hour a week of "me time". Soon Mum joined me and it was our hour a week of "mum and daughter" time too, with no small children distracting my attention. And I loved it! I loved the music, I loved learning the steps and I loved dancing the dances like no one was watching. I was so grateful to my teacher, Lyn, and the other dancers around me, particularly Myra, who used to quietly point to send me the right way!

In short: Line Dancing was my favourite hour of the week. It was a joy. And it still is.

(Perhaps you feel the same way? Do comment below!)

So now I want to link this idea to mental health. If you know me well, you'll know that I'm a Chartered Occupational Psychologist, with a long career behind me working for the Fire Service and other public sector bodies, specialising in psychometrics, assessments, and neurodiversity. I decided to stop practicing in 2025; life was too full and I had to choose - line dancing or Psychology? I chose line dancing because it brings me joy. And I haven't looked back.

Why am I telling you this now? Well, early in my career I touched on the subject of Depression - I'm not an expert in this, by any means. But I do remember my reading leaving me with some thoughts around... sometimes depression stems from a feeling of loss of control. Grief, for instance, you can't control - and it's very painful. Depression can also begin with a feeling of worthlessness. Just reflecting on that word is hurtful - isn't it?

You know I start almost every class with trying to learn all of your names (not always successfully! Sorry, Debbie / Claire and Julie / Caroline!) I want you all to feel seen and that you are important to me - because you are. You are not just numbers on a spreadsheet to me, you are dancers who were brave enough to walk through my door and give line dancing a go, laugh when you got it wrong, and keep coming back for a weekly dose of laughter and joy. I like to think that Laughter in Line is a communal force for good - and it's you that makes it that way. I know I do my bit, but it's a community, too.

Something else I love about line dancing - you have to concentrate! And because you are concentrating, all the stress you might have going on in your life, gets pushed aside for that hour. You can't do anything about those things for the hour, it's protected time for you to just relax and give yourself over to dancing, laughing, and being with others.

You know that line dancing is "the complete package" - it's exercise to music, it releases endorphins, (feel-good hormones), it's social, it's good for memory, it's good for joints... and it's good for mental health.

I'd like to leave you with a book recommendation - a book that's helped me in the past. It's called Climbing out of depression by Sue Atkinson, and it's full of small, bite-sized ideas that I have found really helpful in the past. The library has a copy. Also, the NHS has advice and help available. And of course - keeeeeeeep dancing!

If you leave your comments below - thank you. Remember they will be visible to others! Over to you, then - is Laughter in Line a joy to you too?