Why Dance? (a lesson in happiness)

"As a happiness lesson, nothing could be more straightforward: if you get a chance to dance in a circle, get up out of your chair and do it." - Jennifer Michael Hecht, The Happiness Myth

"Dancing together has been used throughout human history as a reliable source of a special kind of euphoria, the dancer's high. Dancer's high is what we feel when endorphins (from physical movement) combine with oxytocin (from touch and syncronized movement) and the intense stimulation of our vagus nerve (what we feel when we 'lose our selves' in the rhythms of the music and are part of a crowd moving together). It's an expansive mixture of excitement and affection that's hard to experience any other way." - Jane McGonigal, Reality is Broken

Professional happiness advisors offer the same suggestion over and over: dance more - in large groups if possible.

But let's face it. Most of us feel awkward and embarassed on the dance floor. And even those who are ready and willing to dance anytime, anyplace, don't get nearly enough opportunities.

Dancing in front of others requires trust. (the necessity of trust is one of the reasons why dancing is such a powerful happiness activity). Dancing takes courage. To really dance your heart out in front of others requires letting go - and showing a side of yourself you might ordinarily keep hidden.