Featured in The Scoop Magazine
By Chandra Lynn
What do you do when the world feels heavy, your energy dips, and your inner light begins to fade? For me, the answer is simple—my happy dance.
I’m not talking about trained choreography or graceful ballet. I mean a full-on, uninhibited happy dance. I crank up old-school Duran Duran or TLC, kick off my shoes, and move like I’m back on Solid Gold. It’s spontaneous, unfiltered, and powered entirely by joy.
After years in the music industry and now coaching people through burnout and life transitions, I’ve learned something powerful: sometimes the fastest way to shift your mindset is through movement. And for me, my happy dance became a lifeline during some of life’s heaviest moments.
Why We Forget to Celebrate
When was the last time you truly celebrated yourself? Not just checked something off the list, but actually paused to acknowledge the win? Too often, we push through milestones without stopping to appreciate them. We wait for someone else to notice or for “the next level” before we allow joy in.
But here’s the truth: if you don’t make space for joy now, it will slip away. Life becomes a constant loop of “someday.” One of the most overlooked reasons we suppress happiness is emotional guilt—especially when someone close to us is struggling. But giving yourself permission to feel good isn’t selfish—it’s healing.
The Science of the Happy Dance
Your happy dance is more than just fun—it has real benefits:
-
Boosts Mood: Dancing releases feel-good chemicals in the brain.
-
Reduces Stress: Movement helps process built-up tension and lower cortisol.
-
Increases Energy: Even five minutes of dancing can re-energize your day.
-
Promotes Mindfulness: You’re fully present in the moment.
-
Triggers Dopamine: Celebration reinforces positive habits.
How to Make Happy Dancing a Life Practice
Step 1: Notice What’s Holding You Back
Ask yourself:
-
Do I feel self-conscious expressing happiness?
-
Have I been waiting for permission to celebrate?
-
Am I matching someone else’s low energy?
Step 2: Reclaim the Ritual of Celebration
You don’t need a reason to justify joy. Celebrate small wins with a happy dance—even through tears or frustration.
Step 3: Build Your Joy Playlist
Choose songs that light you up, take you back, or remind you who you are.
Step 4: Let Go. Move. Feel.
Dance like nobody’s watching—because they probably aren’t.
A Joy Rebellion
In a culture obsessed with hustle and perfection, joy can feel radical. But reconnecting with what makes you feel alive is essential. Your happy dance can be the spark—not a massive life change—that shifts your energy and brightens your day.
So next time you feel a glimmer of happiness, don’t hold back. Turn up the volume. Own it. And dance.
Go deeper with Root-to-Rise: How to Love Life, available now on Amazon.
