☙ Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself. ❧
~ Hermann Hesse

A certain amount of stress is needed because it gives an internal push, or motivation, to get things done.  The good kind of stress is called eustress, and it is like fuel for the fire.

Too much, however, and stress works against you.  Here you can find yourself in distress or burnout.

Relieving stress, and becoming aware of your thoughts, are essential keys to better technical execution, expressive movement capabilities, and overall dance health.  Preparing for an audition, an exam, a performance, or even starting a new class can cause too-high levels of stress that could hamper your ability to do your best and enjoy the experience.  

Stress can induce the primal safety mechanism of ‘fight-or-flight,’ which floods the body with adrenaline, causing all kinds of physiological reactions, such as a racing heart, uncontrollable butterflies in your tummy, increased sweating, muscle tension, jaw clenching, or shaking.  Emotionally, you may feel nervous, hopeless, or irrationally angry.  Intense and persistent stress can actually impair your memory.

Prehistorically, extreme stress was an essential response to danger and assisted in escaping from actual threats to life (like sabre-tooth tigers), but back then, the energy produced was burnt off immediately in the activity needed to survive, and the body was quickly able to return to its state of equilibrium.  

It can seem like situations faced in dance are matters of grave importance, but in actuality, although the pressure is high, your life is not in any danger.  When you get into ‘fight-or-flight’ mode without any way of releasing the chemicals that accompany it, those chemicals get stuck in your body and can be damaging in the moment and the future.  Stress relief and mindfulness counterbalance the adverse effects of stress on your physical and mental health.  

For high-performance athletes and artists, part of training is finding the optimum stress level.  This creates a balanced and well-tuned body and minds ready for action, with the ability to recover quickly.  Practicing stress relief and mindfulness regularly will:

Improve mood

Reduce anxiety and depression, and allow you to experience a sense of calm whenever you want.

Train responses

Deescalate situations render feelings of frustration, anger, disappointment, fear, and sadness less intense.

Sharpen focus

Develop the ability to block out distractions and harness the power of your full attention.

With several ways to relieve stress and practice mindfulness, there is not one approach that fits all.  It may take some time to figure out what methods resonate best for you, which is fine, and part of the work.  

Share your experience with stress relief strategies in the comments!