Mental Health — a state of well-being in which a person realizes their full potential, is able to withstand short-term stressors, is productive, and can contribute to their community. With that being said, it’s not only the absence of mental disorders and forms of disability; it's the living quality. It’s mind, body, and spirit, and your mind is a powerful tool. This is why it is critical to regularly assess your overall health. In addition to raising awareness of mental issues around the world and to mobilize efforts to promote people's mental health.
Mental Health In Music
With its economic insecurity, critiques, and "winner takes all” compensation structure, the music industry can contribute to anxiety, depression , and substance abuse. In fact, throughout history, many artists and most well-known figures have struggled with addiction. Unfortunately, depression and anxiety are among the most common illnesses. As a result, the worldwide burden of mental diseases is reaching the top five most common causes of disability.
People in creative professions are more likely to suffer from mental health problems as a group. Most artists have a sensitive temperament, which enables them to create artwork that reflects the human experience in ways that have an impact on others. This is exacerbated by industry-specific tensions such as economic insecurity, criticism, and a winner-take-all compensation structure that can foster anxiety, despair, and substance addiction. In reality, artists' emotional engagement in their work, the erratic nature of their work, and a lack of routine and organization are frequently potent catalysts for inner mental turmoil.
The Superficial Stigma
Pursuing your passion professionally in music may sometimes have a superficial stigma. Some may even refer to your career as a “jobby” especially considering that our career paths as creatives don’t abide by the traditional workplace standards. For instance, our hours aren’t always normal and our way of waiting could be considered unorthodox. The industry life necessitates a significant amount of time spent at shows/events, clubs, and so on. So for many individuals, music is simply fun.
Not truly understanding the hard work, dedication and determination it takes to succeed in the music industry. Anyone with access to a musical instrument and the tools to perform it can find it relaxing. Maybe even therapeutic. Not what you'd connect with "work" or a "grind." Telling someone you make music for a living may generate feelings of unadulterated joy, relaxation or pleasure. While these feelings may be true of the music or the ambience of it, it's often a different story for the individuals behind it.
Then there's the creative process to think about. Music often emerges from a place of profound emotional depth inside the artist. Creating music entails expressing your deepest emotions for all to hear. It can be very intimidating to say the least. We may notice major themes emerging: sacrifice, self-doubt, self-reflection, and insecurity. The reality is that these are as vital as they are harmful to a musician's life. According to a 2019 Record Union survey, 73% of independent musicians experienced indications of mental illness, such as increased anxiety and depression. Given what we've seen thus far, this isn't shocking.
7 Chat Worthy Tips On Mental Health
If you are a musician who is battling with mental health, there are many things you can do to help yourself and others. Here at The ChatRoom.TV we have highlighted some of the challenges that we as creative have run across. In doing so, we prepared some pointers that you can use at any time as well!
First and foremost, realize that you are part of a community of people who are all in the same boat. There are communities and organizations out there that operate simply to assist artists. Remember, you are not alone – so look for key sources of help through your support system including friends and family, as well as like-minded individuals and organizations that share the same artistic approach and aspirations.
Stay positive – what you’re doing is a blessing
Be grateful that you have the time to do this and that you live in 2023, when virtually any information is available.
Exercise your musical muscles by going back to your roots
Everything should be practiced and praised! Maintain your mind's activity in as many ways as feasible.
Create a routine for yourself
Make an attempt to stick to a timetable – Each day, your work has a beginning and an end. This should encourage you to work efficiently, create mental separation outside of the studio/workplace, and allow you to rest every evening.
Define your boundaries & take frequent pauses
Setting boundaries for yourself is extremely important as a freelancer. Set scheduled days that are free days for you to relax, recoup, and reinvent. Make every effort to avoid responding to business emails on these days. While this may appear to be a luxury nowadays, it can be quite beneficial in stress management.
Additionally, take frequent breaks. Being aware of your limits helps keep you afloat. Take a deep breath and a step back if you're stressed. Go for a bike ride, a walk, or go grab a great cup of coffee! Explore a new neighborhood or contact someone you care about. You may even disable email notifications and skip work for the day. These are the little things that remind us that life is supposed to be enjoyed. Self-care will aid your development as an artist and as a person.
Health is Wealth
Take care of your physical health by exercising. From horseback riding to sprinting. Did you know that running’s hard nature teaches us to have the confidence to confront the challenges of daily life? Go talk that run and clear your mind to really unlock a new found level of your creativity.
Don't measure yourself against others and their career paths
Comparing your internet success to that of other artists could be detrimental. It's easier said than done, so don't get too caught up in the hype and numbers. It’ll be beneficial if you did not measure your success by the number of likes and followers you have.
Don't keep things bottled in - use your gift as an outlet
When you are stressed, write down all of your thoughts and concerns on a piece of paper. You are not required to read it later. You can even burn it if you wish. The goal is to get those stuck thoughts out artistically in order to empty your mind and provide some type of catharsis. According to research, writing about our feelings and experiences provides mental health advantages comparable to chatting with a friend or therapist.
Overall, we urge you to not forget the importance of self-care and community. Integrating with a like-minded community might also help you get through difficult times. All forms of Art often necessitates self-isolation, although it is important to engage socially on occasion. When you're with people that have had similar experiences to you, they can better comprehend and empathize with your predicament. They can also be quite insightful and assist you in breaking through creative blockages.
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