It’s easy to view the music world as an endless parade of parties, live gigs and releases and 24/7 fun. But as the harrowing death of Avicii recently demonstrated, mental health is an all-too-dangerous downside to the music industry.
It is a place where late hours, intense pressure and competition, stress and endless social media pressures put untold amounts of strain on performers. All too often made worse by a long food chain dependent on that artist’s talent.
The good news is that the once taboo topic of stress and mental health is now an open subject, increasingly talked about in social circles. As we will discover in this feature – an increasing number of ways to recognise the warning signs, adapt your lifestyle and work routines and bounce back.
Mental health and looking out for signs of anxiety, depression and burn out has increasingly become a normal part of our society. Often seen as a taboo topic. But music has largely been left out of the conversation. Perhaps because of the traditional ‘rock’n’roll’ mentality or the tortured artist persona where artists are expected to be challenging or different or unique. Or perhaps it’s because music is often seen as a sanctuary away from the real world, a haven where you could hide and get away from the stresses of life.
The stress of modern day music
Stress is, sadly, a common part of modern day life. Anxiety and depression are on the rise across the world. There aredozens of contributing factors including money, rent, love lives, family, illness and even war and fighting. But the music world is even more precarious. This is thanks to the unique stresses placed on musicians, DJs, producers and nightlife workers, though. This is a group of people who work unsociable hours including month-long tours away from friends and family, who work long hours in loud, stressful environments, with social crutches like alcohol never far away.
There’s the social media stigma that’s evolved in recent years. If you’re a part of the music machine, you must be seen to be enjoying yourself, to be living your best life. Along with adding Instagram stories from backstage, and that adds yet another layer of pressure, another potential stressor.
So what about the pressure to succeed, please and find an audience who appreciates your music and art? The Pop (Flop) Idol formula that hints everyone could be a star (and therefore implying you’re a failure because you haven’t)? And those working a second, sometimes third job to keep their music dream alive. Working 50, 60, 70 hour weeks with disrupted sleep patterns to try and crack their dream?
You can factor in job insecurity, no sick leave or annual holidays. Add a supremely competitive and fickle industry where you can be up one year and down and out a month later. Added to which you have a seriously volatile atmosphere which can put your wellbeing under severe pressure.
It’s good to talk
Don’t just take our word for it. A recent study found that musicians are three times more likely to experience depression during their lifetime. It’s a study backed up by Pete Tong, a legend of the dance music scene, who addressed the subject at his keynote speech at the Ibiza Music Summit last year. “In my 40 years of being around this world, I can’t think of a single person who has achieved success who hasn’t paid a personal price via health, relationships, divorce, broken homes, addiction, depression, and anxiety.” And the list of recent acts who have come out and spoken about their mental health issues includes Lady Gaga, Adele, Professor Green, Zayn Malik, Benga, Nicky Minaj and dozens, hundreds, thousands more.
Those artists coming forward, recognising the problem, the perils and opening up on the subject (and even addressing it in lyrics and artwork), they’re admitting the issue. Which is often the first step to help as Tristan Hunt, co-chair of the organization’s Protect Mental & Physical Health for Fans & Professionals working group, told Billboard. “There’s a sea change at the moment, and it’s gathering momentum in a very positive way. We’ve had the widespread conversations, and now those conversations are turning into action.”
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These conversations have helped stimulate change in recent years, reducing the stigma associated with mental health. There are plenty of ways in which you can help identify any warning signs. With ways to keep your wellbeing in a balanced state.
Warning signs
It can be easy to get bogged down and turned off when self-help features start labouring about meditation. Along with eating well and keeping fit as if it’s that easy. But one of the most important things to do is to take a break. We suggest to actively step away from your music, your career planning and world domination and go slowly.
Stick your headphones on and your favourite album and head to the beach, or do some cooking, or read a book. Basically, anything that takes you out of your zone and stops you over-thinking. As well as over-analyzing your music, your choices and your career. Make it a regular feature of your working day if you can, to give yourself that break from the intensity of making music. After that, there’s plenty of time to move on to yoga, meditation and kale smoothies 🙂
And as the earlier paragraphs hinted towards, it’s good to talk, as an increasing number of music stars are doing. Maybe it’s a quick chat with a friend, or maybe it’s a social media post encouraging people to open up. Or even it’s something you address via lyrics or song titles. Either way, opening up and starting the conversation is a great way to help humanise your problems or concerns. As the old adage goes, a problem shared is a problem halved and it’s a tried and tested truism.
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Importantly, if you know you’re going into a potentially stressful situation, address it beforehand. If you’re going on tour for a month and are concerned about the late nights plan off-days in advance. This is so you can take a break and know there’s no pressure to drink, party or stay up late. Or schedule regular Skype calls with friends and family to help keep you grounded and connected. Come up with a coping strategy so that you know you have a safe place to come back to.
Try and change your mindset
As well as talking about your concerns and sharing your emotions try taking the time to relax and switch off. There are a number of other ways you can cope and adjust your mindset including…
- Regular exercise can boost endorphins, make you feel more confident and healthier.
- Be mindful. Concentrate on each moment, each breath, live life in the moment.
- Volunteer and collaborate with people and other artists: helping others can be a great way to help yourself
Conclusion
Stress, anxiety and burn outs are on the rise, but equally that’s being met by a rise in mental health awareness. The music industry can be a particularly stressful environment. By being aware of your environment and taking time to address any issues, there can be light at the end of the tunnel.
The most important thing is to talk and share your emotions. We at Ma’ana are always here to talk and share any concerns, and there are plenty of online and in real life networks where you can talk and share your experiences.
If you need help
> UAE – The Lighthouse Arabia – https://www.lighthousearabia.com/about-us/
> Lebanon – Idraac – http://www.idraac.org/idraac/homepage
> Egypt – Caritas – https://caritas-egypt.org/en/project/mental-illness-alex/
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