Just Dance It Out

How dancing became my nervous system medicine

One of my favourite scenes in the medical TV series “Grey’s Anatomy” (btw, are there any fans here?) is when Cristina invites Meredith to “dance it out”. That was their way of processing emotions, traumas, love, work, life , just everything happening at Seattle Grace Hospital.

I always remember this scene when I am dancing my own things out. And I do it quite often.

I love dancing. Recently, I realised that I have been dancing my whole life, trying different kinds of dance. I started with Krakowiak (one of the Polish national folk dances), then ballroom dance, Zumba, Irish dance, jazz dance, Lindy Hop etc.

I have a feeling that the dance floor is my forever friend.

My whole life, I thought I simply had a fascination with dance. But recently I realised it was not just fascination. It was something else.

Last year, my body started asking for more and more dancing. There were days when I felt like I could dance 24 hours a day and still not have enough. The moment I heard a song, my feet started moving like crazy, and then my whole body followed. I could dance while standing in a queue or waiting at a bus stop.

What a beautiful, intelligent thing the human body is.

At that time, I was going through a really difficult period personally. I was dealing with a nasty burnout and layoffs at work.

That’s when I discovered dance movement therapy and everything clicked. What I had always dismissed as a “fascination” was actually my nervous system doing exactly what it needed to do. My body, my whole life, had been helping me cope with stress through movement.

What a beautiful, intelligent thing the human body is.

What a smart way for my nervous system to regulate itself!!!

Now I understand why going to concerts, dance events, signing up for dance classes, and dancing to the music I love feels so important to me. My nervous system is simply taking care of me and helping me relax :)

Do you know any negative outcomes from dancing? I don’t. Only benefits!!!

• It helps reduce stress by calming the nervous system through movement, rhythm and music.
• It gives the body a safe way to release tension, emotions and overwhelm that words often cannot express.
• In emotionally difficult conditions, dancing can improve mood, increase emotional resilience and restore a sense of connection with yourself.
• Movement and rhythm help shift the body out of survival mode into a more grounded and regulated state.

Last year, dancing literally saved me because it was the only thing I could do. Just move along with some songs.

I started doing it every day. Gradually, my mood shifted. My energy returned. There were moments when I danced to the same song the whole day or played it on a loop.

And btw, that was also the time when I discovered Lindy Hop and I'm so glad I did.

Now whenever I feel stressed, low, or blue, I open Spotify and just start moving. Magic happens every time.

Here is my top 10 “dance it out” songs:

1. Florence & The Machine — “Shake It Out”

2. Florence & The Machine — “Dog Days Are Over”

3. P!nk — “I Am Here”

4. Keala Settle — “This Is Me”

5. Taylor Swift — “Shake It Off”

6. Shakira — “Try Everything”

7. P!nk — “Try”

8. Robyn — “Dancing On My Own”

9. Maroon 5 — “Moves Like Jagger”

10. Ed Sheeran — “Shivers”

Maybe you will like them as well.

Please enjoy them! And remember - dancing is free. You can do it anywhere, anytime.

So if you feel low, press play and see how the magic happens.

Sacred Wave Wellness — thank you for inspiring me to write this!

Yes, let’s shake it ooout!!!