When the mind races, move!

It’s late at night. Your thoughts are racing, your chest feels tight, and your body refuses to stay still. Anxiety has settled in. Or maybe it’s mid-afternoon, and a flood of worries about work or school makes your hands shake or your stomach knot. Even standing in a crowded line at the store, feeling overwhelmed by small pressures, can trigger the same tight, restless sensation.

Anxiety can feel overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that there are so many ways to manage it. Dancing is not only a brilliant tool, but one of the most powerful tools at your disposal. It works on the body and mind at the same time, allowing tension to release, thoughts to settle, and emotions to flow.

Moving your body is more than exercise. When you dance, muscles release tension, your brain releases feel-good chemicals, and your nervous system begins to reach a state of calm. Rhythm and motion pull your attention away from racing thoughts, anchoring you in the present. Every step and turn reminds you that you are capable of controlling your thoughts, and grounded in your body even when your mind feels chaotic at first.

I have found the art of boodhid gives emotions a voice your words cannot reach. Fear, frustration, sadness, or even joy can flow through movement. Anxiety begins to loosen its grip as your body learns to speaks, releasing tension that your mind alone cannot untangle.

Learning a new step, mastering a rhythm, or simply moving however feels right builds confidence. Anxiety thrives on feeling powerless, but dancing proves that you have control. Every movement affirms that you can create, express, and reclaim yourself.

Remember that depression and anxiety falter when you keep moving. Motion is your resistance, make it a goal this year to move more!