A recent study that surveyed 1,500 independent musicians found that 73% of them had experienced stress, anxiety, and/or depression in relation to their music career.
It’s easy to think that the life of a musician is somewhat glamorous or at least stress-free based on the “rock n’ roll” lifestyle that’s often associated with them. But for independent artists, glamour isn’t often a part of the equation.
Musicians are on the road for weeks and months at a time, away from family and friends. They still have bills to pay. Many work other part-time jobs to make ends meet. They often have to pay for their own transportation, book their own gigs, and do a lot of self-promotion.
So it’s less about glamour and more about hustling to make sure people see and hear what you have to offer.
With that in mind, it’s no wonder so many musicians experience stress. While music itself is often naturally relaxing and can promote mindfulness and focus, and it can even promote relaxation in children, the musicians behind it need to practice relaxation as much as possible in order to take care of their mental health.
So how can you stay relaxed as an artist?
Create a Spa-Like Experience at Home
A full-time musician can sometimes be on the road up to 10 months out of the year. So, when you have the opportunity to be home, it’s important to make the most of the experience and relax as much as possible.
One easy way to do that without having to leave the comfort of your home is to turn your bathroom into your personal spa. If you really want to go all out, you can upgrade your bathroom with renovations like:
- Painting the walls neutral/earthy colors
- Installing light dimmers
- Installing a massaging showerhead
- Adding faux wood tiles to the floor
- Installing a bathtub instead of a stand-up shower
But you don’t necessarily need to break the bank to create a more spa-like experience at home. Simple things like adding an oil diffuser in the room and filling it with relaxing lavender while you take a bath can help to calm you down. Or try a bath bomb to open up your senses and ease aching muscles. Just be sure to keep your drain covered so particles from the bath bomb don’t create clogs!
Even listening to calming music can help you to relax in the bathroom and feel as though you’ve stepped into a luxury spa. The best part? You can relax there as often as you like without having to pay for it!
Relieve Aches and Pains Safely
Whether you’re sore from lugging around heavy equipment or instruments, spending long hours in a van or bus, or the stress of the road gives you frequent headaches, it’s not uncommon for musicians to experience aches and pains.
Thankfully, there are safe ways to handle and reduce your pain whether you’re at home or on the road.
For starters, try practicing mindfulness. Many people use mindfulness and meditation as a way to manage pain through deep breathing exercises. Deep breathing exercises can help you to release tension and relax your upper body, which can reduce the effects of pain and make your muscles feel looser.
If your pain continues or keeps recurring, you might consider some type of professional treatment or medication. Many people are hesitant to start taking pain medications, but there are safe ways to do it. Talk with your doctor about opioids that can be taken safely to manage pain. If you are prescribed any type of pain medication, keep these safety tips in mind:
- Don’t mix with other medications unless instructed by your doctor
- Don’t mix with alcohol
- Use them only as directed
- Don’t take someone’s prescription that isn’t yours
Turn Your Bedroom Into Your Sanctuary
After months on the road, or even after a late night at a hometown gig, nothing should bring you more comfort and relaxation than being able to sleep in your own bed. But, you can go one step further by turning your entire bedroom into the most relaxing space in your home.
Creating a peaceful bedroom can help to improve your sleep — and musicians do love their sleep. You can start by painting it in the right colors. Keep the psychology of color in mind when you decide which shade to use. Colors like soft blue or pale gray are great for promoting relaxation and sleep.
You can also create a relaxing bedroom atmosphere by decluttering, making it a technology-free space, and using it only for sleeping (not for catching up on emails, watching television, or writing new songs!).
You don’t have to break the bank or spend a lot of time or effort learning how to relax. By taking a few extra steps to make relaxation a priority, you can improve your mental and physical health, and feel recharged and motivated to take the next step in your career.
Courtesy of Maggie Potter