Theatre has always been an outlet for me whenever I have felt anxious or just needed a break from life. It is similar to watching a movie. You are focused on the show and sometimes you even find yourself thinking about the show after it is finished. There are two distinct ways that theatre can improve your mental health and that is by being a part of the show or by watching a performance.
Hopefully, most of us have had the pleasure of watching a performance. It improves one’s mental health as it provides a pause on stressful activities. You can sit down and enjoy a wonderful show that several people have worked hard to put on. You can admire the set, the acting, the lights, or the music. There are so many things happening when a show is on that it is hard to think about anything else other than what is in front of you. It also tends to provide a character that you can relate to. Whether it is the quirky under-appreciated best friend or the protagonist whose life is falling apart, there is always someone you can connect with. It may even be the conflict of the show that you can relate to your life. It allows you to reflect on conflicts in your life without reliving the emotions of your own experiences. Additionally, it is an activity that you can do with others. Generally being surrounded by friends can help improve mental health and it is an activity that can be discussed after the show. You may not even realise it is a discussion. It usually consists of general questions such as, “Did you like the show?” and, “What was your favourite part?”. This gets your brain to engage in other activities than the stress you may be enduring.
Performing is another story. After discovering theatre in middle school, I was amazed by how it improved my mental state. Performing allowed my confidence to soar even when I was working backstage. I felt in charge of my mind and my life while performing. There were of course stressful times, but it allowed me to channel my stress differently. Moreover, it significantly helped with my social anxiety, a big aspect of my life that was negatively impacting my mental well-being. I had to work with a variety of people constantly and I learned how to confront my fears head-on.
Every time I am able to watch a theatre performance or participate, I am elevated into a better mood and mindset. Theatre has always been something special to me and it is to so many other people. The next time you realize your mental health is declining or if you’re having a bad day, I would recommend going and watching a production. You never know what can elevate your mood until you try it out.
Photograph provided to The Student by Ashlynn Main, used with permission.