How do you create work-life balance in the music industry? How do you develop self-care practices and routines? And how do you care for your mind, body, and soul?
Finding a “folk”-life balance is crucial to your health. And as creatives, we often forget that self-care is essential to developing long, sustainable careers. In the music industry, we are more susceptible to depression, anxiety, substance use, relationship strain, sleep issues, fatigue from long hours, and financial instability.
This year for Mental Health Awareness Month in May, we hosted three webinars, “What is Folk-Life Balance?”, “Creatives and Addition,” and “Good Grief.”
Today, in honor of World Mental Health Awareness Day, we are rounding up some of the tools, strategies, and resources from these webinars to help you create folk-life balance!
“As creatives, we often forget that self-care is essential to developing long, sustainable careers.”
Work-Life Balance
Finding a work-life balance is difficult for anyone, but a career in the music industry often entails rigorous hours, exhaustive travel, and endless dedication. It’s a jigsaw puzzle to fit everything into your schedule, especially self-care.
Set boundaries for your work. In the music industry, we often work irregular hours. Try to create some consistency in your schedule. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals have switched to working from home. Setting physical boundaries between your workspace and personal spaces can help create different “zones” and ultimately help you focus. You could also try to create a ritual, or have something specific you wear that separates your work and personal time.
It’s easy to get carried away working long hours. Don’t forget to take breaks, and remember that breaks are beneficial to productivity. Make time for yourself and know when to say “no” if you have too much work. Prioritize sleep, meals, and self-care so that you don’t burn out in the long run.
Tip: Write down your top three values on a piece of paper. Organize and prioritize your life around those values.
Creating a Self-Care Routine
“Create a life in which you don’t have to take a break from…Implementing things in our daily life that helps us be able to do the things we love and enjoy the people we love even with the stresses that come along with life.” — Chioma Moronu
- Explore different self-care practices. Try to get a consistent morning and evening routine that makes sense for you. Know your personal mental and physical health needs. Do you need eight hours of sleep to function properly? Do you need two hours of alone time every day? Do you need time outside every day? Do you need to exercise to manage your stress and mental health? Understand your personal needs and implement them into your routine.These are some elements to consider when thinking about your self-care needs: nutrition, exercise, rest and reflection, balance, social time. Our bodies often tell us what we need! Pay attention to the signs that your body gives you.
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At the end of our Folk-Life Balance webinar we asked each of our hosts to share one self-care tip. This is what they said:
“Movement; If I walk or stretch every day I feel so much better.” – Laura Thomas
“Wherever you might be, find the nearest green space and go sit in it even if it’s just the tree outside the hotel for 20 minutes. And put down your phone.” – Darlene Starr
“Drink a lot of water.” – Natalia Zukerman
“Give yourself grace.” – Chioma Moronu
- We hope these tips and tools help improve your mental health practices. We’ve also compiled a list of Health and Wellness Resources with articles, information, and resources to improve your health. Spend some time familiarizing yourself with your personal self-care needs, and make sure they are getting the attention they deserve; it will help you avoid burnout in the long run! Whether it’s for you, a friend, or a loved one, we hope you can pull something from this post. Don’t forget to check out our mental health awareness webinars, “What is Folk-Life Balance?”, “Creatives and Addition,” and “Good Grief, for more in-depth tips and tools!