Performing Arts

Artistic performers have been reported to have 5 times the level of depression and 10 times the level of  anxiety compared with the general population.  Artistic performers experience a unique working environment where there is often a lack of job and financial security, shift work that impacts social availability and sleep, and pressure to perform at their best no matter how they are feeling.  

Rehearsals and performance can be demanding and stressful with pressure coming from many sources including audience expectations, coaches and directors. and the high expectations performers place on themselves.  Such concerns often lead to performance anxiety which impairs the quality of performance. 

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Initiatives like the ‘The Arts Wellbeing Collective’ are urging industry employers to actively support and promote the mental health and wellbeing of performing arts workers. 

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Bio-Dash provides an excellent tool for artistic performers to improve their wellbeing and acquire evidence-based skills and strategies to help them decrease stress, manage nerves, improve focus and motivation, and perform at their best. 

We are looking to partner with performing arts organisations to develop tailored versions of Bio-Dash to suit their needs.  Contact us if you would like to support us with this work.

Bio-Dash is unique in that it incorporates the latest biofeedback technology. Biofeedback enables individuals to obtain real time information about internal processes such as brain activity and physiological functioning in response to established wellbeing strategies. Having tangible data about how specific strategies impact their physiology heightens self-awareness and provides a deeper understanding of the processes involved in regulating emotions so that individuals can improve their ability to enhance concentration, manage stress and alleviate anxiety.  

Participants initially learn about biofeedback and stress levels through Biodots which measure changes in skin temperature.  These are included in the foundation program. There is also the option to include more advanced devices that measure brain activity, respiration and skin conductance. 

The opportunity to ‘see’ the connection between mind and body enables students to identify optimal strategies to target stress and enhance wellbeing and is more likely to lead to regular and sustained practice.