Waltzing Around: What’s to be done with the dancaholic dancer

It’s easy to get carried away, especially when passion turns into work, but in the long run it can prove harmful, not just for physical health but mental health too. Psychotherapists believe ‘Dancaholics’ have traits of obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) and that they crave for a sense of achievement; driven mostly by insecurity and perfectionism. Such attitude is not welcomed as according to studies, addiction to work is no less dangerous than addiction to alcohol. It affects a person’s emotional and physical well being. On one of my trips to Japan I remember Japanese people calling a workaholic ‘Karoshi’ which means ‘Death by over work.’

I have seen dancers who are so engrossed with their work that their personal relationships suffer and in an attempt to escape personal conflicts they immerse themselves further into this medium. They do themselves more damage than good as dance is a field where people skills are important. Failing to engage with others can affect creativity. It can also lead to addictions like smoking, drinking and caffeine. This is when the downfall begins.

So how can a dancaholic find balance in his or her life? The best thing to do would be to live and follow a lifestyle that’s comfortable for the individual and not be governed by others. Starting with small things like not talking about work during meals at all, switching off the mobile on weekends or if weekends are busy days due then keeping a day aside in the week to detox, pushing the guilty thoughts away when not working can help. It’s also important to develop skill sets and an attitude that allows one to finish work within 10 hours. Do not stay back at work just because your co-dancers are doing so.

I have seen very young dancers work like crazy. My only advice to them would be: Don’t burn yourself out. Otherwise your career will end sooner than you realise.