Socio-educational approaches to body and mind and perception of anxiety during the first wave COVID-19 outbreak: a case study with professional dancers

Abstract

Due to the first wave of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, measurement such as quarantine and social distance was adopted in many countries, causing a negative effect on mental health in the general population. Therefore, the main aim of the present study was to perform a socio-educational therapeutic session in a group of professional dancers as well as to analyze its possible effect on their perception of anxiety. Twelve professional dancers (18 to 32 years old) from a specific company participated in three synchronous group sessions, conducted by a professional psychologist, with socio-educational objectives based on: relaxation and breathing techniques, self-compassion activity and somatic experience, in line with Positive Psychology. At the end of the sessions, a qualitative and qualitative on-line questionnaire to assess the dancers' perception of the sessions and their possible impact on the perception of anxiety was applied. The questionnaire was answered by seven dancers, and the main results were: all participants reported positive feedback about their perceptions of anxiety during the quarantine, the majority of dancers reported that the sessions "in parts" in improving well-being. All dancers showed a willingness to continue with the sessions but conducted individually. It is concluded that the three therapeutic sessions with socio- educational characteristics demonstrated to be positive for the perception of anxiety in professional dancers, during the period of the first wave of COVID-19. Thus, in situations similar to quarantine and social distancing, positive psychology sessions are recommended for dance professionals, so that they can maintain or improve their positive anxiety and well-being responses.