Stratagies for optimizing mental and emotional health in performing artists (Coping with COVID-19)

This last week has brought on a new wave of emotions for many of us. With so many dance companies across the world closing their doors and rescheduling their seasons the questions are coming in with regards to the emotional impacts of not having any clear structure as to when will we return to work, and if there will still be a job for performing artists when all of this is over. Practitioners in the US have expressed concerns of having to close their small practices that focus on dance medicine as well as being called in to help make life altering decisions should our health care system become overwhelmed. As PT’s we wear so many hats; as your Physical therapist, as your mental therapist, as a care giver, but in times like these I think it’s necessary to reach out to the community at large and make sure that you are not only taken care of physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. The Dance Docs want to make sure that all aspects of dancer health are being addressed throughout the containment process of COVID-19.

I am excited about this first segment of The Whole Dancer where I sit down with Sports Psychologist Dr. Scott Leydig. Scott is a clinical sport psychologist who works with athletes, dancers and performers. Dr. Davenport and myself have both worked with him as part of an interdisciplinary team to help dancers overcome anxiety, depression, coping with injuries and much more.