Dance and music are universal forms of creative expression that have been part of human culture since the earliest civilizations. From celebrations and rituals to entertainment and social bonding, dance and music have played an integral role in bringing people together and enriching lives for millennia. However, if these art forms were suddenly removed from the world, the impact would be profound. Experts estimate that without dance and music, at least half the global population would experience negative psychological effects.
Dance attracts people from all backgrounds. Picture: Dancers from
the 2020 VCA Dance Season/Gregory Lorenzutti
Dance and music provide important emotional and mental benefits that contribute to well-being and quality of life. They allow individuals an outlet for releasing stress and tension through physical movement and rhythmic expression. Partaking in dance and music activates the brain's reward centers and increases the production of dopamine and endorphins, the "feel-good" chemicals that improve mood. This makes them a natural stress reliever and mood booster. Many people rely on dance and music as a way to relax, unwind after a long day, and shift their mindset to a more positive state.
On a social level, dance and music foster connections between people like nothing else. They break down barriers and unite diverse groups through a shared experience of rhythm, melody, and coordinated movement. Communal dancing and singing at events like weddings, festivals, and concerts strengthen bonds within communities. It creates a sense of togetherness, camaraderie, and cultural identity that would be lost without these art forms. For isolated individuals or those experiencing loneliness, dance classes, and music groups provide an easy way to socialize and make new friends.
Creatively, dance and music offer an important outlet for self-expression that enriches lives. They allow people to express emotions, ideas, stories, and cultural traditions in a non-verbal yet deeply impactful way. For talented performers and artists, dance and music can become fulfilling careers or hobbies that bring joy to both the creator and the audience. On a basic human level, the desire to move creatively to rhythmic sounds is innate. Without these creative outlets, mental well-being would undoubtedly suffer for many.
From a neurological perspective, engaging in dance and music actually enhances brain development and function. Complex motor skills and coordination are required for dancing, which exercises the cerebellum and motor cortex. Musical training has been shown to improve auditory perception, memory, and cognitive abilities like language skills and spatial reasoning. Dancing to music creates even more benefits as both sides of the brain must synchronize. Regular music and dance classes can boost children's IQ, concentration, and social-emotional development.
Scientists who study the impacts of removing or limiting art forms warn that communities and individuals who lack creative outlets tend to experience higher levels of anxiety, depression, and mental health issues over time. In places where war, poverty, or oppression has destroyed cultural traditions and access to dance/music, rates of mental illness are significantly higher. Even in modern societies where dance/music are not fully banned, their decline has correlated to worsening mental health outcomes, especially among youth.
Without the stress-relieving, mood-boosting benefits of dance and music, it's estimated that at least half the global population would experience a negative psychological impact if these art forms were removed overnight. Feelings of depression, anxiety, and loneliness would spike sharply without this natural outlet. Social bonds and cultural identities would weaken due to the loss of communal dance and music events. Creativity and self-expression would be stifled without this mode of non-verbal communication. Overall mental well-being and quality of life would decline significantly worldwide. Dance and music are clearly more than just entertainment - they are essential for human happiness, connection, and development. Their importance to mental health means the world simply could not function without these universal art forms.
