Down and Out (of it)

‘Tis the season.

So many friends have been voicing the same types of issues lately. It’s something that arises annually, but this year’s especially somber for obvious (and sometimes not so obvious) reasons. As the days shorten and temperature drops, so does the state of mental health of a lot of folks. For those it affects, the struggle is oh so real. The sluggish chug creeps up and engulfs you like quicksand. Its grip strengthens with every passing moment. Even a mild case of winter blues can be debilitating. It can strike seemingly out of nowhere. Sometimes at the very moment you feel on top of the world. The feelings slowly build and then quickly snowballs and it suddenly occurs to you that you haven’t left Club Couch in a week. The withdrawal from just about everyone and everything only amplifies the gloom and doom clouding your brain.

Don’t get me wrong. Hibernation mode has plenty of reasons for being that are positive. Sometimes the time alone is necessary to focus, recharge and recenter yourself. And that's nothing to feel guilty about- quite the opposite. But you can suddenly find yourself in unhealthy territory if you're not paying attention. And if you’re anything like me, staying in my bubble for too long only magnifies melancholy feelings.

Creature comforts are so soothing when in this mode that the other things that make you happy can easily slip away. For us musically minded people, that includes the dancefloor. We’re quite fortunate to have communal spaces where we can express our emotions of any type. For me, the dancefloor is the ultimate uplifter. Literally moving through your issues can be the calm in the storm of your psyche, lifter of sullen spirits and a perennial picker upper. Though it can feel like a steep climb getting ready and out your door, stepping into spaces pulsating with music and people’s energy can be healing. A place where you can live your fantasy, strengthen and revive oneself.

And while the dancefloor can help us, it can just as easily hinder us. Because though divinity can be attained there, there also lurks demons that can taunt and haunt us. The balance is delicate. When boxed in by your frame of mind, it’s important to recognize the positives and perils of these spaces. So there’s no time like the present to share reminders, tools, tips and tricks to navigate you into a healthier headspace. 

1. Before leaving your house, take time to meditate and set intentions. What do you want  to feel while at the party? When you leave? In the days after? Is there anything you desire to achieve?