Feb 1 / Arianna Shimits, MA, CMPC

Social Media’s Impact on Dancer Mental Health

In the dimly lit wings of a theater, a dancer scrolls through social media moments before curtain call. Her feed floods with impossibly high extensions, flawless turns, and bodies that seem to defy both gravity… and, for that matter, genetics. She later glances at her own reflection in the dressing room mirror and feels her confidence fade away. This “scene” is far from unique…instead, it illustrates the complex relationship between social media and mental health in the dance community.

Social media has fundamentally transformed how dancers train, connect, and relate to their craft. While these platforms do offer extraordinary opportunities for inspiration, education, and community building, they have also introduced unique psychological pressures that are shaping dancers’ mental health in ways researchers and mental health providers are only beginning to understand.

The Highlight Reel Paradigm

Dance has always been a visual art form, but social media has amplified this aspect to an extreme degree. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have created what some might call a “highlight reel paradigm” where dancers showcase only their best moments… the cleanest pirouettes, the highest jumps, and the most aesthetically pleasing combinations for one’s body type or personal strengths. What is missing from these curated feeds is the hours of falls, failed attempts, frustration, and the very human journey of working towards mastery.

Social media creates a distorted reality. Dancers of all ages can fall into the unhelpful
comparison trap and may believe that they are “far behind”. This leads to feelings of inadequacy,
especially when their own progress does not match the seemingly effortless excellence they
witness online. Psychological research on social comparison has been published since the 1950s
and suggests that repeatedly measuring ourselves against idealized images puts us at risk for
developing psychopathology.

Social Media and Body Image

Perhaps nowhere is social media’s impact on dancer mental health more pronounced than in its effect on body image. Dance has long struggled with unhealthy body standards due to its aesthetic nature, but social media has intensified these pressures by making comparison instantaneous and constant. Dancers can now measure their bodies against hundreds or thousands of others with a simple scroll, and even if they are aware that pictures or videos are edited, this instant access to comparison stimuli can have adverse effects.

It is also worth noting that the algorithm-driven nature of these platforms compounds the problem. When dancers engage with content featuring certain body types, the algorithm serves them more of the same, creating echo chambers of targeted content. This echo chamber can reinforce narrow definitions of what a dancer’s body “should” look like, despite the diversity that actually exists in professional dance today. In many ways, algorithms serve as a form of confirmation bias we can really lose ourselves in!

While these pressures may feel uniquely intense in the dance world, they are not limited to dancers. Athletes in appearance-focused or weight-sensitive sports such as gymnastics, figure skating, distance running, and bodybuilding are also exposed to feeds filled with extreme dieting, “starvation” trends, and punishing workout content that can normalize disordered behaviors and body dissatisfaction. In many of these spaces, social media shifts the focus from performance and health to aesthetics and online validation, a trend further compounded by exercise-focused platforms like Strava, where athletes post workouts and biometric data in significant detail.

The Performance Anxiety Paradox

Social media has created a complex paradox for dancers. On the one hand, regularly posting videos can help some dancers become more comfortable being watched and evaluated, potentially reducing performance anxiety over time through desensitization. The informal nature of social media dance videos can feel less intimidating than a formal audition or live performance.

On the other hand, social media introduces performance anxiety into spaces that were previously safe for experimentation, risk-taking, and growth. Studio time, once a protected space for exploration and “failure”, may now feel like a constant evaluation as dancers worry about being filmed for content. The fear of an imperfect moment being captured and shared can push dancers to prioritize looking “clean” over taking important risks.

What About the Positives?

Despite these challenges, social media’s role in the dance community is not entirely negative. These platforms have democratized access to dance education, allowing dancers in remote areas to learn from world class artists they might never encounter otherwise. Tutorials, technique tips, and virtual mentorship have made aspects of dance training more accessible than ever before.

The networking opportunities social media provides are significant as well. Choreographers discover dancers, companies announce auditions, and artistic collaborations form across continents through these platforms. For many professional dancers, a strong social media presence has become a career necessity, opening doors that might otherwise remain closed and sometimes even offering other avenues to earn income. As with many other things… social media can be good in moderation.

Finding Balance in Moderation and Mindfulness

How can dancers navigate social media in ways that protect their mental health while still benefiting from these platforms?

First, dancers can practice mindful consumption. This means being intentional about whom they follow and how much time they spend scrolling. Following accounts that showcase diverse body types and celebrate process over perfection can make a big difference. Setting time limits on social media apps or even designating “no-phone” zones are also strategies dance communities can implement. Another way to think about mindfulness around social media is through the lens of intentionality: Why am I logging on… to connect with others? Or because I am bored and it has become a habit?

Second, dancers benefit from regularly examining their relationship with social media. Helpful questions include: How do I feel before, during, and after scrolling? Am I dancing for myself or for content? Does my feed inspire me or drain me? Even brief “intermissions” from social media can improve body image and reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. If social media consistently activates negative emotions or self comparison, taking longer breaks or stepping away entirely may be necessary.

Third, transparency about the reality behind the posts can help combat highlight-reel culture. Some dancers intentionally share their struggles alongside their successes, posting videos of failed attempts before the “perfect” one or being honest about mental health challenges. This vulnerability not only helps the individual dancer feel more authentic but also gives others permission to embrace their own imperfect journeys.

Moving Forward

The dance community stands at a crossroads. Social media is not going anywhere, and its integration into dance culture will only deepen. So, dancers, educators, and mental health professionals can work together to create a healthier digital environment by leveraging emerging research on social media’s impact on the dance community. And these efforts need to be malleable and consistent, quickly updating alongside the ever-changing social media landscape.

Ultimately, the goal is not to demonize social media or pretend we can return to a pre-digital era. Instead, we can all learn to use these tools thoughtfully, protecting their mental health while staying connected to the global dance community these platforms make possible. And as always, if social media or something like it is influencing your mental health, reach out for professional support!

References:

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Arianna Shimits, MA, CMPC

Arianna Ciccarelli Shimits, MA, CMPC, completed her Master’s degree in Sport and Performance psychology at the University of Denver and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University.

While working towards her BA she danced professionally at the Washington Ballet, Ballet Arizona, and the Colorado Ballet. She performed soloist and corps de ballet roles in ballets choreographed by Petipa, Balanchine, Tudor, Tharp, Webre, Deane, Liang, York, and Stevenson. After retiring from ballet Arianna pursued an MA in Sport and Performance Psychology (SPP), believing that the performing arts could benefit from the skills and training offered by SPP.

Additionally, Arianna is a doctoral student at Springfield College studying Counseling Psychology. Throughout her graduate school education, she has worked with dancers, musicians, runners, basketball players, soccer players, cyclists, surgeons, first responders, and adults with eating disorders.

She is passionate about helping people perform at their best and believes that complementing rigorous physical training with SPP will help performers of all ages achieve exactly that.