The industry demands a lot from musicians. If you’re an independent artist that’s just starting out, you could run yourself ragged trying to promote your music, play shows, and get noticed. If you’re an established touring band, you could quickly burn out from playing shows every day, meeting with the press, or writing new music.
It’s all enough to take a toll on your mental and physical health.
Unfortunately, when your health declines, it can impact your career and lifestyle. Poor health can lead to a creative slump, poor performance, and make it harder to achieve your goals.
But, if you’re not raking in the dough just yet, how can you stay healthy while still working toward becoming a household name or releasing your first big hit? It’s easier than you might think.
Staying healthy on a musician’s budget will allow you to stay focused so you can keep moving forward in your career. Most importantly, making your health a priority now will help you to establish lifelong habits that will boost the longevity of that career.
Need a few pointers?
Keeping Up Your Physical Health
Staying healthy starts by forming the right habits at home.
Whether you’re recording every day, writing, practicing, or just on a break from touring, establishing a healthy routine in your daily life will make it easier to stay healthy when that routine gets disrupted. Practicing self-care each day is easier than you might think. Include things in your routine like:
- Preparing healthy meals
- Exercising each day
- Staying hydrated
- Having a healthy work-life balance
Getting enough sleep is also crucial to maintaining your physical health. A lack of sufficient sleep can lead to fatigue, a weakened immune system, and put you at a greater risk of high blood pressure and diabetes. Poor sleep can also exacerbate mental health issues. We’ll dive more into how you can manage your mental health as a musician, but know that sleep plays a critical role, especially if you struggle with depression.
You can improve your sleep health by going to bed at the same time each night, avoiding electronics before bed, and making sure you have an ideal sleep environment. Temperature, noise levels, light, and comfort are all important elements to consider when creating a bedroom environment. Don’t forget about investing in a quality mattress, too! Plenty of affordable mattresses are available that can help with back pain and muscle aches, allowing you to get the rest you need to stay in top shape.
Managing Mental Health
When most people think about mental health, expensive therapy comes to mind. But, managing your mental wellness every day doesn’t have to involve spending thousands of dollars.
Is therapy beneficial to thousands of people? Absolutely. Is it something you might want to consider if you’re struggling? Yes.
But, there are also things you can do each day to maintain your mental health that doesn’t cost a thing.
Stress, anxiety, and depression are all common problems among musicians. In fact, one report found that 73% of independent musicians deal with mental health conditions. So, what can you do to keep your stress levels and worries in check each day? Try some of the following practices:
- Meditation/mindfulness
- Journaling
- Staying physically active
- Spending time outside
- Leaning on your support system
If you do notice yourself struggling, don’t hesitate to reach out for help, even if it means spending the money on a professional. Your mental health is worth it.
What to Do When You’re On the Road
Touring is the bread and butter of any musician’s life. There’s nothing like “living” on the road, seeing fans every day, and doing exactly what you love by playing shows each night. But, touring life isn’t exactly known for being healthy.
Thankfully, you don’t have to live off of ramen noodles or fast food. Whether you’re driving yourself and your band or you’re on a tour bus, there are plenty of ways to stay healthy on the road without blowing your budget.
First, maintain all of the healthy habits you have at home. Make time for exercise as often as possible. Even just stopping every few hours to stretch your legs and take a short walk can make a big difference in how you feel.
Second, make smart choices. It can be tempting to fall into the “trap” of a rockstar lifestyle. But, staying up late, partying, and making poor food choices will have lasting negative effects. By making your health a priority on tour, you’ll perform better, stay mentally sharp, and be your best for your band and your fans.
It’s also a good idea to know your surroundings, no matter where your travels take you. Accidents happen, and musicians can be prone to certain types of injuries and ailments. Always make sure you know where a nearby urgent care center is so you can get the treatment you need without having to spend thousands of dollars on an ER visit.
You don’t have to have a rockstar budget to stay healthy. Whether you’re at home, recording a new album, or playing shows in different cities every night, you can manage your mental and physical health on a minimal budget, and enjoy every second your lifestyle has to offer.
Courtesy of Indiana Lee.
