Time and time again, Nigerians have been called the happiest people in the world…; and thinking about it now I wonder if it has something to do with our willingness to move our bodies to the rhythm of music; whether it is ‘digging it down’ at a party where musicians treat guests to different old school hits and genre like Juju music, Apala, or the new generation Nigerian music; or how we release ourselves in reckless abandon as we worship in worship centres – shaking our waists, jumping up, clapping our hands, and screaming at the top of our voices as everywhere becomes charged and filled with joy as people reverence their Maker.

Believe it or not, dancing is therapeutic! First and foremost, dancing can be viewed as a form of exercise – not with all the rigorous moves and sweat generated when dancing which like every other exercise leads to the secretion of happy hormones called endorphins in the brain.

Dance therapy uses movement in helping people attain emotional, physical and social integration amongst others and is beneficial both for physical and mental health as it serves to reduce stress, manage moods and actually prevent diseases. It gets even better! Dancing or Dance therapy helps to increase muscular strength, mobility, coordination and reduces muscular tension. Studies have also shown that dance therapy helps to promote self-awareness, self-image and self-esteem.

As a therapy facilitated by a professional, Dance Therapy can help with chronic pain, childhood obesity, cancer, arthritis, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, anxiety, depression, disordered eating, poor self-esteem, posttraumatic stress, dementia, communication issues, autism, aggression, domestic violence trauma, social interaction and even family conflict.

Wow right? I guess it’s time we all put on our dancing shoes, tune in to our favourite radio stations or tune out the world by listening to our beloved tunes, let go and let the rhythm take control. I have recently started listening to Nigerian music and gosh do I love dancing to them – from Teni’s I wanna be a billionaire, to Simi’s Duduke, to Burna boy’s Wonderful to Davido and Mayorkun’s Betty Butter and lots more; I could actually go on and on from one song to the other cooking up new moves and flexing till I am virtually drenched in sweat. You should actually try it out. And yes… before I get disowned, my ‘Spiritometer’ is still in order by the grace and mercies of God. But come to think of it, the Psalmist states that God turned his mourning into dancing, and loosed his sackcloth and girded them with gladness!

So, in spite of the trying times, make up your mind to dance like there’s no tomorrow, praise with total abandon; swing those hips, clap those hands, ‘komole’ like your life depended on it, and watch the joy flow!