Loneliness is a very subjective feeling, and everyone’s experience will be different. You may choose to be alone and live happily without much contact with other people, while others may find this a lonely experience. Or you may have lots of social contact or be in a relationship or part
Musicians and composers can drive themselves hard – and you do need to take a moment to recharge your batteries and take care of yourself in whatever way works for you to sustain your work. When you take a moment to prioritise yourself, you give yourself some breathing space to
Lucy Heyman, co-author of Sound Advice suggests that to manage creative work you need to know yourself and what you need to be creative. Every composer and musician is different and the same approach will not work for everyone. She suggests that, once you have identified your ideal creative state
Maintaining your health is crucial to sustaining a career in music and clinical support can prevent, identify and address health issues that may arise. Try to be proactive about your health, paying attention to early warning signs and seeking medical advice when needed. It’s crucial to understand that seemingly minor
What is neurodiversity? Some people’s brains work in a different way to others. For at least 20% of the UK’s adult population, and over 30% of musicians, these differences mean they are not seen as ‘neurotypical’ and may be diagnosed with neurological conditions such as autism spectrum condition (ASD), dyslexia
70-80% of musicians have a health problem which impacts their career in music during their working life. This can be caused by music work or have a non-music related cause, but make it more difficult to work. We all have individual characteristics which make us more or less susceptible to
A mental health practice is as important for your mental health as physical exercise is for your physical and mental fitness. Learning a mental health technique and practising it routinely can help to keep you mentally well and also be called upon when you are feeling anxious or depressed. Your
Visualisation is the practice of imagining what you want to achieve in the future. As if it were true today. It involves using all five senses of sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing. The process of visualising directs your subconscious to be aware of the end goal you have in
All composers and musicians will have a different vision for their career expectations. High aspirations are encouraged and will include career milestones, financial achievements and creative development. The most helpful approach is to combine motivation and realism. How to set realistic expectations: Set clear, achievable goals (using the SMART
Stress is the body’s reaction to feeling threatened or under pressure. When we are stressed, our body releases a hormone called adrenaline (often called the “fight or flight” hormone), which usually gives us a boost or motivates us to act quickly. But too much stress can affect our mood, our
