CHANGES 2019: Here's What The Experts Say Touring Musos Need To Do To Be Healthy

The music industry and wellness joined forces today as part of the True Health Is Your Wealth; Well-being Meets The Music Industry session at this year's CHANGES music industry festival. 

The panel, made up of Maven & Muse's Correne Wilke (manager of The Cat Empire), artist Leah Flanagan, Meditation Australia's Asher Packman and Dr Oscar Serrallach, looked at what impact working in the music industry can have on artists and industry workers and how it can be counteracted.

Here, we share our key takeaways from today's panel. 

Be conscious to turn off your 'stress on' button

When you're working in a high stress environment and your body is enduring large spikes of adrenaline regularly, it's easy for it to forget to bring down the intensity. The panel suggests implementing things like a nutritious diet and reducing alcohol to help prevent burnout. 

Much like an instrument, your body needs a tune up once in a while

"If you don’t do that then you start getting more and more out of tune," said Dr Serrallach of looking after yourself, before adding that "Your relaxation has to match your stress." It's better to take preventative measures and give your body a tune-up every now before things come to a total halt.

Catch those ZZZs where you can

"Sleep is everything," shared the panel. "It’s the one thing you can’t supplement or medicate your way past."

Help is there if you need it

Flanagan shared that through Support Act, industry workers and musicians can gain support when they strike hardship. In the past year alone, Support Act has offered over 350 hours of help through their support hotline alone, with the panel stressing that help is there if you need it.

Be protective of your time

"I’ve become so strict with time management it’s borderline a little scary," shared Flanagan. "I’ve had to really focus on the things I want to do." Being protective of your time (deciding what to say no to, scheduling what you have on, etc) can help you find the space to prioritise your health and well-being.

Get yourself a toolbox

No, not the hammer and spanner kind - the mental health kind. Know what makes you feel good and keeps you healthy and use it as often as you can, especially in high stress periods. Dr Serrallach recommends adding in a practice of some kind as well - whether it's gratitude, meditation, breathing - that you can do everyday.