We are doing our brains a disservice by not going out dancing anymore

Dance used to be everywhere. Nightclubs used to burst at the seams, dance teachers worked overtime, and dance programmes were popular on TV. No matter what your style was, there would be a dance floor for you, from indie rock to the Harlem Shake. 

Times are changing, however. Although TikTok challenges are immensely popular, many nightclubs are closing their doors. According to the Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant, the number of discotheques has fallen by a staggering 40 per cent in the Netherlands.

Today's twenty-somethings would rather stand by the DJ booth with a drink in one hand and their phone in the other than throw themselves into the dance floor. The fear of making a fool out of themselves or being perceived as "cringe" seems to reign supreme. For some, dancing “in public” feels like a relic from the 2010s.

That's a pity, as research shows that dancing and other creative activities are good for our health. After all, dancing is not just a physical activity; it is a neurobiological powerhouse, according to neuropsychologist Erik Scherder, an enthusiast of the activity. But what exactly happens in our brains when we dance? Is ballroom dancing different from, say, street dance? Do those sweaty hours in the club count too?

The brain as a choreographer

The "neuroscience of dance” is now a serious field of study, and with good reason. "When you're dancing, you're doing more than just moving," explains Chris Dijkerman, a neuropsychologist at Utrecht University. "It's not only good for your body, but also for your learning ability and memory. Research shows that dancing has positive effects on motor, social-emotional and cognitive skills."

Dancing is multisensory. When you dance, you force your brain to perform at its best. The motor cortex plans the movement, the cerebellum refines the execution and the auditory cortex links rhythm to timing. Meanwhile, the hippocampus works overtime to remember the steps. "All of this happens almost simultaneously," says the professor. "It's a huge challenge for the brain."

Dopamine, endorphins and the reward system

Such an effort is immediately rewarded, as movement activates motor circuits that are closely linked to motivation and emotion. "Neurotransmitters such as dopamine and endorphins are released when we move," explains Dennis Schutter, an experimental psychologist and neuroscientist at Utrecht University. "Dopamine is the fuel that powers our motor systems and acts as an important part of the reward system. It influences motivation, pleasure, attention and mood. As for endorphins, they have a pain-relieving effect and make us feel good. A complex motor activity such as dancing, combined with music that also activates reward areas, makes us happier."

Shift your focus and clear your mind

Dancing is, therefore, a mood booster. That sounds like music to the ears, but the effects go beyond that. Neuropsychologist Erik Scherder mentions an experimental study that found a direct link between complex movements and anxiety circuits in the brain. In other words, dancing functions as a sort of neurochemical cocktail that suppresses anxiety. 

“It does indeed suppress the stress response,” explains Schutter. “There are visible connections in the brain that can explain an anxiety-reducing and mood-enhancing effect. That doesn’t mean that a single dance session will solve all your problems, obviously, but the positive effects are definitely there.”

“In addition, the movement and focus required by dancing have a relaxing effect. They lead to physical fatigue and mental release, which makes it easier to sleep and gives your brain a chance to recover,” adds Schutter. “Shifting your focus and clearing your mind while dancing can have a significant effect on your sleep.”

Sophia Maria Kienhuis and her students. Photo by Sophia Maria Kienhuis

A social-emotional connector

It is precisely this complexity that makes dance so powerful. Whereas activities like running are primarily repetitive, dance requires constant adaptation, coordination, and learning. According to Dijkerman, the specific form of dance matters less than the intensity and regularity with which you practice it.

“We see long-term changes in certain brain regions and pathways of experienced dancers. Some areas, such as those involved in motor skills, become thinner, which indicates efficiency,” he explains. “The brain needs fewer redundant connections and therefore processes information more efficiently. Other areas, such as those involved in memory and social-emotional information processing, actually become thicker. We call these complex changes neuroplasticity. More plasticity means more resilience.”

If you dance in a group, you add another layer of complexity to this whole process: synchronisation. Moving together to the same rhythm strengthens social connection. The brain must constantly tune into social signals, which "activates networks involved in empathy and social cognition,” according to Dijkerman. “Even ‘just’ dancing in a club has that effect. Though the intensity may vary, every dance experience is beneficial. The social aspect of dance is also key.”

In addition, Schutter emphasises the social-emotional dimension of dance. “There is something ritualistic about it. Virtually all cultures dance. In some non-Western societies, people even dance together instead of talking when dealing with mental health issues. Dance has long served as a collective way to regulate stress.”

“No time for distractions”

While the nightlife scene is struggling with a dwindling number of dancers, dance schools are seeing a relatively stable influx of students. Dance instructor Sophia Maria Kienhuis has danced her whole life, from classical ballet to hip-hop. She studied dance and has been teaching for about 18 years. For the past 12 years, she has worked at Parnassos Cultural Centre as an instructor of dance mix and modern jazz. About 75 percent of her students are university students.

She’s noticed that people have become less perseverant than they once were: students drop out quicker now. But those who stick with it grow visibly in presence and self-confidence. She sees students turn over a new leaf in just fifteen weeks. “They smile more easily and broadly. They become more relaxed, both with themselves and with others.”

They tell her so, too. “People often think they can’t dance. They’re full of limiting thoughts. I have my fears, too, but I become the best version of myself when I dance. I’m not concerned with what others think of me. I'm not having thoughts like: ‘Do I look fat?’ or ‘Their outfits are weird.’ There’s no time to be judgmental while dancing. You have to lift your arm, place your leg, follow the rhythm. Dance demands focus. There’s no room for noise and unnecessary tension.”

Perhaps the question isn’t whether dancing is good for us, but why we're doing it less often and what we’re denying ourselves when we leave the dance floor empty. For this reason, Kienhuis considers herself a dance activist. “I strongly believe in it. Don’t be so hard on yourself,” she tells her students. “My goal is for you to be the first one to step onto the dance floor at a party. Be a firestarter.”

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