The healing power of dance: Why movement boosts your mood, memory and mental strength

Anita Ratnam explains how dance boosts mental health, builds resilience, sharpens memory, and offers joy and healing in everyday life. (Image: Pexels)

For most, dance is spectacle. For some, it’s discipline. But for Anita Ratnam, celebrated Indian dancer and choreographer from Chennai, it’s salvation. Across seven decades of living and moving, she has found dance to be more than art; it is a life philosophy, a mental health saviour and a daily source of fierce, unshakeable joy. In a world often marked by uncertainty, Ratnam’s unwavering bond with movement proves dance may be one of humanity’s most underrated medicines.
"I always think of myself as a dancer", Ratnam tells Moneycontrol. "Even when my public performances have slowed, dance holds me upright—spine erect, mind vibrant", she adds. It’s a sentiment echoing far beyond the stage. Ratnam believes the essence of dance is not in applause but in what it cultivates within—discipline, resilience, gratitude and the ability to think on one’s feet.

Modern neuroscience supports what dancers have long known: movement triggers the release of serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin—the very chemicals that lift our spirits. “The act of dancing literally helps you feel better. It’s your body working to heal your mind,” Ratnam affirms.

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Memory and mindfulness start with movement: Unlike musicians who can rely on sheet music or iPads, dancers carry every movement in memory. “Each performance is a test of how you live in the moment,” Ratnam explains. "You can’t look back or ahead—the movement is here and now", she says. Dance sharpens memory, hones spatial awareness and strengthens cognitive discipline.

Mental strength dance demands: Far from being only beauty and grace, dance is a demanding teacher. “It teaches you how to adapt—injuries, last-minute changes, missed cues. You must ride the wave,” she shares and adds,  “After the applause fades, real life waits—and it’s not always fair.” Dance becomes a rehearsal for life itself, instilling focus, patience and fortitude.

Collaboration over competition: Behind every performance lies a delicate symphony of collaboration. Ratnam notes, “Dance teaches the art of working with others; composers, designers, musicians, lighting directors. It takes emotional intelligence to manage egos and navigate creative tension.” These backstage lessons are often as transformative as the ones on stage.

Gratitude begins with the body: Perhaps the most enduring gift of dance is its celebration of the human body—not as an object, but as a vessel. “We depend on this body to carry us, even through injury,” Ratnam says. “To dance is to be vulnerable and generous at once. It’s miraculous to communicate without words.” The practice breeds gratitude for movement, health and healing.

Dance as mental health therapy: From social forms like Garba, Kolkotta, Samba and Salsa, to structured classical training, dance is emerging as a powerful tool in mental health. “I’ve seen it help teens with depression and adults through grief,” Ratnam reflects. “The mix of rhythm, community and movement makes dance an accessible and joyful therapy.”

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After a lifetime of rhythm and resilience, Ratnam remains devoted to the art. “If I weren’t a dancer, I don’t think I could have held on to this optimism and the quality of fierce joy,” she says. It’s a reminder that in the act of dancing, we don’t just move, we heal, remember, and live.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for a specific health diagnosis