Music Speaks to Mental Problems

The music industry is a hub of talented individuals who continue to regularly churn out lovely music content for their respective fans to enjoy.

Now and then, people expect their favorite musicians to be at the top of their game, not minding what it takes to produce a beautiful sound with top-notch lyrics.

Not everyone realizes that beyond the perfect look that most musicians seem to embody, they go through a lot of things that many people don’t know.

For instance, it would interest you to know that many musicians struggle with various mental health problems, but they manage to keep up their appearance because they want to satisfy their fans.

You may think that a musician has a glamorous lifestyle, but they experience some challenges like rejection, self-doubt, failure, exploitation, work-life balance, creative pressures, etc.

Therefore, for musicians to deal with these challenges, they need to undergo mental health counseling.

The essence of mental health counseling for musicians is to create a safe space where musicians can open up about their problems without the fear of being judged or stigmatized.

Below are some of the benefits that musicians can get from mental health counseling.

Deal with negative emotions and thoughts patterns

One of the things that musicians struggle with is finding the right way to expel their negative emotions which can sometimes affect their creativity. Mental health counseling helps the musician to identify healthier ways to handle their emotions, thought patterns, and behaviors.

Ability to manage stress

Musicians face a lot of stress which can cause mental health problems in the long run. Hence, with counseling, they will learn how to control their stress levels, without indulging in unhealthy activities.

Learn self-care

Not all musicians are great at caring for themselves. Most of them are focused on their craft without realizing that their personal life and physical and mental health might be at stake.

When they go for counseling, they will learn the essence of eating a nutritious diet, working out, getting enough sleep, etc.

Addiction among musicians is not a new development with today’s generation. It has always been a musician thing for as long as it has remained a social vice. As far back as when cocaine just gained momentum, some musicians fell victims to the drug causing death.

The question you may ask is: why is this so? Why is addiction connected with musicians? Several reasons exist to explain the cause of addiction among musicians.

The root cause of addiction is the lifestyle of musicians. It is a type that where proper care is not taken, anyone living such a life, would end up a victim of addiction. What are these reasons?

• Irregular work schedule:

If you can peep into the lifestyle of any musician, especially the live performers or those on tour, you’d see the instability and uncertainty of it. They work night shifts on some days, have early gigs on some other days. The effect of this is an irregular sleep pattern, a lack of rest, yet, a need to keep going. Hence, they resort to substances to keep them active. Before they know it, they are hooked.

• Work atmosphere:

Musicians perform in party-like atmospheres where alcohol is surplus and available for everyone. They have access to an unlimited supply of alcohol and in the spirit of the atmosphere, they consume. Imagine where a performer has to perform for five days a week at a bar, he takes the alcohol each of those days and unknowingly, can become addicted.

• Lack of connection:

There is little or no opportunity to connect with friends and family while working as a musician. Artists are hardly around people they are familiar with who know them personally. For those traveling, the time difference is often a barrier. This lack of connection makes them depend on several substances as a companion.

A musician’s overall health is essential as the body must be in good shape. However, stress can prevent this from being a reality. From tours both home and abroad to hectic schedules, anxiety from performance, the paparazzi, and hate comments, musicians face challenges that build up as stress in their lives.

Although a small dose of stress may be okay for providing the energy and alertness needed in recording sessions, it should not be excessive. Otherwise, it can aggravate and cause damage to the mental and physical health, productivity, and mood of the musician.

Stress must be identified early enough and dealt with before it becomes chronic.

To make this possible, here are some health tips to help musicians fight stress

1. Relaxation exercises: As a musician, you will need to train yourself to relax by engaging in relaxation exercises such as deep breathing, yoga, and meditation.

2. Engage in physical exercises: If you are not a fan of the usual kind of exercise, you can jog, run, or engage in brisk walking. It helps the body to release any built-up tension that could be accumulated as a result of stress. Exercise allows for the release of endorphins which can increase mental alertness.

3. Take breaks: Go on a vacation, have regular periods you take during rehearsals where you may not work on anything music. Also, refrain from taking jobs at odd hours like at nights or periods where you know you’ve reached your limit.

4. Build a support system: Maintain strong relationships with your family and friends. You can release the pressure on you just by socializing with them. They can also be a source of support to you during overwhelming situations. Where you’re away from home, do well to contact them through phone calls or emails.

5. Do something new: Break away from your everyday routine and try something new. You could write songs or test the waters of your creativity.

More importantly, ensure you speak up if you feel signs of chronic stress. Contact any primary health care or treatment facility that specializes in performing artists and musicians.

Some musicians are addicted and they cannot fully be blamed for this. Addiction is a brain disease that is no respecter of persons, status or profession. So, no matter how safe a profession seems to be, there is always a prospect of addiction creeping in.

For musicians, due to their level of creativity and the skills they possess, they have a higher chance of getting addicted. Musicians are individuals who are always in the limelight and they have varying number of fans- people who appreciate them.

So, the level of music art they produce, determines to a large extent, the number of people who will fall in love with their craft.

In a bid to keep their fans, musicians need to up their game on a regular basis.

The fact is people are naturally insatiable. They want something that would keep them enthralled and blow their minds each time. This is why they expect a lot from musicians and if their favorites do not meet up to their standards, criticism sets in.

Due to this, musicians go overboard in providing satisfaction to their fans. They take drugs and alcohol that would make them go long nights on end to produce music. They also take these substances so that they can stand in front of crowds and perform to the fullest.

Before they know it, addiction sets in and it becomes very difficult to let go of those substances. At this stage, the mental health of a musician is at risk. It becomes very easy for them to be affected by anxiety, depression and a host of other mental health problems.

This is why musicians need to keep in touch with mental health counselors and rehab therapists on a regular basis, making it beneficial in preventing addiction. And if a musician is addicted, it is best to pay a visit to a rehab and relay all the problems to the health specialist there.

Seeking addiction treatment is the best move to securing a healthy future for a musician.  

Behind the breathtaking melodies that comes with each song a musician releases, there are hours of practice. A good number of times, musicians go hard on themselves so that they can have an almost-perfect song that will serve as a great listen for their fans.

Having put all these in place, a good number of their fans might not love the produced craft.

Musicians face a lot when it comes to producing music and this is why they need the love and appreciation they can get from their fans.

Musicians undergo a lot of stress and this is why they are prone to being addicted or having mental health problems. Sometimes, when they are depressed, one way they can help themselves is to undergo a particular addictive act or abuse a particular substance.

Also, musicians do not have time to rest and this has an adverse effect on their bodies. If they are not careful, they could come down with any health problem that could keep them out of the studio for a long time.

There is a desire for fame and wealth and that is why most musicians would see to it that, they amass the two of them. So, some of them would stop at nothing to achieve this.

Musicians need to consider the fact that, it is necessary for them to take breaks and deal with stress the right way. It is advisable to go on vacation trips, away from anything related to music, so that the body can rejuvenate and refresh itself.

Dealing with stress can also be achieved with the right diet. Sticking to a good nutritional plan affords your body of receiving quintessential nutrients that would keep you in shape and good health.

So, even if you undergo lots of stress as a musician, your body would react to it normally, and your immune system would function proficiently.

Exercising regularly is also essential for musicians, it is a needed health practice that needs to be imbibed to deal with stress.

It is not a new thing to hear a musician who is addicted to either of the two major addictions: drugs and alcohol. Musicians are a distinct group of people when it comes to the addiction concept. A good look at the psychology of a musician, you would realize that there is a conflict between their emotions and their intellect. This intellect grants them control and great skill when it comes to playing music and reading, while their emotions grants them the needed inspiration and the importance of having music in their lives.

The use of substances such as drugs or alcohol, is a practice which is very debatable and demands great watchfulness, as it is a very controversial issue. Some individuals are of the opinion that using these substances have a pivotal role in enhancing the creative skill of writing music lyrics among musicians, while others argue that taking drugs and alcohol play a destructive role in the life of the musician.

However, it has been proved that the extreme use of drug and alcohol, have a detrimental impact on the life of any musician. Due to the fact that musicians are seeking ways in order to ensure that they handle emotions well, taking these substances seems like a measure to make it happen. Eventually, it becomes an obstacle to their creative-thought process.

The strongest reason which faces substance abuse, is the issue of mental disorder and addiction. There is a thin line between substance use and substance abuse. In the life of a musician, substance abuse is an immediate satisfaction for the brain, and it cannot be self-regulated. As a result of this, addiction and mental disorder sets in.

The creation of music requires a brain which is highly-functioning, and looking at the best music in history, you would discover that it came from musicians who perfected their art. This is why musicians have resorted to using substances to enhance their creativity.

Musicians who are hooked to any substance, are advised to check out treatment programmes which are customized for them. A good number of these programmes have erstwhile music addicts who have years of experience in helping out addicts on the road to recovery. Hence, music addicts should not hesitate to seek for prompt help.

To a musical artist, music is everything. All of life is approached from an audial perspective. Every song heard on the radio is analyzed and broken down. Musicians are guided through life by their ears; their inlet for creative talent. Musicians who succeed in the music industry are very passionate and driven, and give everything they are to their original music. But oddly, the pursuit of music can be a blessing and a curse. The soulful calling of musicianship often leads into a certain kind of lifestyle – one that is very prominent in the music industry. Addiction and substance abuse have tragically claimed the lives and careers of some of the best musicians who ever lived. The very thing that inspires a musician’s life work is also the thing that will introduce them to a dangerous lifestyle.

When a musician is first starting out, they are incredibly driven and optimistic. Their focus is as sharp as it will ever be, which is what a life of pursuing music can do for a person. Music has been called the activity that uses more of the human brain than any other activity. It can be a career, a passion, or both. Most young musicians claim that they are driven to strive for excellence in music for the sake of the music itself, not for the rock star lifestyle. However, once they are accepted into the music industry, their priorities often change.

The music industry can be a very harsh world, and many who discover it do not remain unscathed. Any entertainment celebrity, including musicians, must face pressures, criticisms and temptations in their chosen profession. Society thinks of performers as commodities and pressures them to be above the trials of everyday life in order to keep them entertained. Critics can be brutally harsh and destructive on a sensitive musician’s psyche. In light of these hardships, musicians look for a means of escape and frequently choose addiction or substance abuse. Every kind of pleasureful vice available is offered to musicians in excess, and sometimes they are sucked deep into a lifestyle that they cannot escape from. Some recover and turn back to their music – the thing that originally inspired them. But some are not so lucky and lose their careers and even their lives to addiction and substance abuse.