Doing theater means ensuring mental health

In an increasingly anxious, fast-paced, and fragmented world, where stress seems to be a constant companion, finding effective ways to preserve mental health has become a top priority. Interestingly, a millennia-old practice, often seen merely as art or entertainment, has proven to be a powerful ally in promoting emotional balance: theater. Doing theater, more than playing roles, is a deep exercise in self-knowledge, empathy, and life reframing. Recent studies from institutions such as Harvard, Oxford, and the University of Heidelberg have shown that theatrical practices can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, boost self-esteem, and promote meaningful social connections.

When someone steps onto the stage, they don't just “perform” — they allow themselves to feel and experience emotions in a safe, guided, and conscious way. This symbolic and collective experience offers a unique opportunity to work through traumas, frustrations, and desires often silenced in daily life. Research from the Department of Psychology at Stanford University has shown that emotional expression through dramatization stimulates areas of the brain involved in emotional regulation, such as the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala, contributing to better stress management. In other words, the stage becomes a space for catharsis, healing, and transformation.

British actress Emma Thompson, an Oscar winner, shared in an interview with The Guardian that theater was her “emotional refuge” during severe episodes of depression. She described the process of rehearsing and performing as a form of active meditation, where body, mind, and emotion come into alignment. And hers is not an isolated experience. Many artists, young students, and adults find in theater a way to reorganize their inner world, safely externalizing their pain, triumphs, and hopes.

Moreover, the benefits of theater extend beyond the individual and reach the collective. Theater is inherently collaborative. It involves listening, respect, synergy, and shared responsibility. In London schools, for instance, community theater projects such as “Drama for Change” have shown that young people regularly exposed to theatrical practice demonstrate increased empathy, improved academic performance, and a significant reduction in aggressive behaviors. These findings confirm what Brazilian playwright Antônio Carlos dos Santos had already understood when developing his innovative methodologies that position theater as a therapeutic and educational tool.

One such method, MAT (Mindset, Action, and Theater), has been successfully applied in Brazilian and European universities. It uses theater to unlock limiting beliefs and reprogram harmful mental patterns through stage action. An inspiring example was the application of MAT with a group of at-risk youth in Lisbon, who, after three months of theatrical immersion, reported improvements in sleep, self-confidence, and interpersonal relationships. Neuroscience explains this: theater activates neural plasticity, encouraging the formation of new synaptic pathways related to emotional resilience.

Another of Santos’ approaches, ThM (Theater Movement), combines body movement, breathing, and theatrical improvisation to release tension and promote full presence. This technique has proven effective in corporate settings, helping professionals cope with anxiety, public speaking fear, and emotional burnout. Companies like Google and Microsoft have already incorporated theater workshops into their wellness programs, inspired by principles similar to ThM, acknowledging that emotionally healthy employees are more creative, collaborative, and productive.

Another highlight is TBMB (Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater), a playful and profound approach that uses handcrafted puppets as therapeutic mediators. In a preschool in São Paulo, the use of TBMB significantly contributed to the emotional development of children on the autism spectrum. The symbolic mediation offered by the puppets allowed difficult feelings to be expressed with gentleness, care, and poetry. Moreover, puppet theater revives the ancestral power of storytelling, activating affective memories and nurturing safe emotional bonds.

From a neuroscience perspective, doing theater strengthens circuits related to empathy and emotional self-regulation. Functional MRI studies conducted by the University of Cambridge indicate that experienced actors show greater connectivity between the frontal lobe (linked to planning and control) and the limbic areas (linked to emotions). This explains why theater is such a powerful mind-body integration exercise. It’s as if, by portraying another, the individual discovers themselves more deeply.

But you don’t have to be a professional actor to reap these benefits. Community workshops, amateur groups, theatrical play with family — all of these are enough to start a transformation. In a world where so many suffer in silence, theater invites us to listen, laugh, cry, and celebrate the fullness of being human. And this invitation does not require special talent, just the willingness to live, with courage and creativity, the most challenging and beautiful role of all: being oneself.

Therefore, doing theater is more than artistic expression - it is self-care, a political act, an ancient and contemporary therapy. It is a dive into the human soul, guided by words, gestures and silences. As Antônio Carlos dos Santos states, “we cannot lose sight of the reference: we all carry theater in our genetic makeup and it is the obligation of every citizen to use this tool to change themselves and rebuild the world”. In this sense, each scene performed is a manifesto in favor of mental health, empathy and hope. May more people allow themselves this transformative experience. Because, yes: doing theater is also ensuring mental health.

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