FEATURE:
Dream for You
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The Struggle to ‘Switch Off’ in the Social Media Age
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ANYONE who is involved…
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in the music industry – I, technically, am as a journalist – struggles to relax and unwind. Whether you are a megastar traveling the world and playing major gigs to someone much further down the ladder, music is something that consumes you! Most of us are happy for music to take us over and, whilst this is another subject I have explored in the past, I want to return, as I am finding it harder to detach than ever before. Maybe it is fitting my day-job around music, but my sleep is particularly affected. It is difficult to put music aside or reduce your workload; there is something about music that keeps driving you and obsessing every waking hour! One of the biggest problems in the industry is the toll music has on mental-health. By that, I mean the hours people put in and how many of us spend so long online. I think my problem stems from trying to balance a full-time job and keeping the blog going, but it is the sleeplessness that is affecting me at the moment. I, like many, try not to be on the laptop too close to bedtime, but there is always that temptation to check the latest music news and have a gander on social media – just in case something has been missed out on. I read a lot of posts online where artists, journalists and those in music struggle with sleep and anxiety, as they dedicate so much of their time and thought to it. Music and music therapy are very good for your mental-health, but it is more the social media aspect that worries me.
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I have not read any study that suggests that listening to too much music – whatever that would constitute – is that bad for your mental wellbeing; it is the associated baubles, commitments and aspects around music that takes its toll – from emails and social media through to long hours etc. I have huge sympathy for those in music with greater responsibility than me. Think about the major artists whose every hour is spoken for; the affect that sort of pressure has is immense! It may seem like an impossible ask, but I think all of us in music need to take some time away to recharge or just get away from the screen. It may seem easy to say this, but there is an addictive quality to music where one needs to know every happening and development; where the latest track could arrive any moment and one needs to be all over it. Not only will this lead to poorer sleep, but you find the mind never really switches itself off. It is not only me who is finding it hard to limit time online and be so involved with music all of the time. As I said, I am reading a lot of stuff online where people are getting buried and they are struggling to find peace. Maybe it is the natural urge and personality of the music lover that means we need to stay in the loop and know everything happening. This, in this day, means a lot of time online. Some are good at rationing time on social media. They can turn off and only spend a few hours a day online.
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At the moment, my ‘working day’ – the full-time job and writing – runs from 5 a.m. to about 8 p.m. That might sound manageable, but it is the time asleep (or trying to) with the brain musing and wondering about what is happening in music that creates the fatigue. Is there any likelihood any of us can make realistic adjustments? I have been pledging to limit my online time but, as a journalist, I feel like I need to be online to capture everything and be at the top of my game – not that my standard and talent is that lofty! I am not one for resolutions, but I think all of us in music who are feeling a little over-committed or tired need to make up a plan and eliminate the inessential. This might mean spending fewer hours a day online or taking a couple of days off during the week. For musicians, it might be harder to achieve because they need to be on the road, but I think we can all cut back and find time for ourselves. Not only can this lead to better sleep and relaxation, but the quality of our mental-health will be improved. Of course, it is easier said than done, and a musical diet can be hard to stick to. I think just enjoying music for therapeutic reasons is better than spending so much time on social media and getting overwhelmed with information. I think, if we all did that, then it could make an impact – I definitely need to find a better balance. It may involve small steps at first, but it can lead to…
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A more peaceful and relaxed year.