MUSIC IS LIFE

What’s the cost of chasing your passion without pause? What happens when your passion begins to burn you out?

Imagine you’ve just finished recording you’re E.P, your adrenaline is still pumping—but instead of enjoying your moment, you spend the next couple of weeks run down and in bed. This is the cost of neglecting self-care in music.

For musicians, music isn’t just a profession—it’s breath, identity, and lifeblood. But even the most powerful fire needs tending. From long hours of rehearsing and performing to the endless cycle of tours and studio sessions, it’s easy for artists to prioritize their craft at the expense of their health. The inner game of coaching teaches us that success in music, like in life, starts with the internal. To truly thrive, you need to cultivate a healthy balance between your creative and physical well-being.

The Art of Self-Care in Music

Music is demanding, both mentally and physically. Whether you’re on stage or in the studio, the energy you pour into your craft is immense. However, if you don’t take care of yourself, this energy can quickly deplete, leaving you vulnerable to stress, burnout, and even illness.

“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” — Jim Rohn

As artists, it’s essential to understand that your health is directly tied to your performance. You cannot give your best creatively if you are running on empty physically. In the same way that you practice your instrument to improve your skills, you must also practice self-care to sustain your creativity and passion.

Sleep: The Unsung Hero of Creativity

In the hustle of touring, late-night gigs, and endless hours in the studio, sleep often takes a back seat. However, lack of rest impacts more than just your energy levels—it affects your creativity, mood, and ability to think clearly. Without proper rest, your mind can’t fully process or digest the music you create.

“Sleep is the best meditation.” — Dalai Lama

When you prioritize sleep, you allow your mind to recharge. Creativity flourishes when your brain has had time to rest. As a musician, a clear mind helps you connect deeper with your music, improves your ability to improvise, and keeps you in tune with your emotions.

What impact does lack of rest have on your music, mood, or motivation? 

Try winding down with a playlist that soothes your nervous system, or set a sleep window that matches your touring schedule.

Hydration: Fuel for the Body and Mind

For musicians, especially singers, hydration is crucial. Staying hydrated doesn’t just benefit your voice—it affects your entire body, from your endurance during long performances to your mental clarity. Dehydration leads to fatigue, lack of focus, and even anxiety, making it harder to perform at your best.

“Water is the driving force of all nature.” — Leonardo da Vinci

Drinking water regularly not only improves your physical stamina but also enhances brain function, helping you stay sharp during performances. So, whether you’re in the studio or on stage, make hydration a priority—it’s a simple step that can have a profound impact on your performance.

Carry a reusable water bottle to gigs and studio sessions. Set reminders if you often forget to drink water during rehearsals.Even 1–2% dehydration can reduce cognitive performance and reaction time—critical for timing and improvisation.

Exercise: Moving the Body, Freeing the Mind

Just as you exercise your musical skills, you should also exercise your body. Regular physical activity boosts your mood, reduces anxiety, and keeps your energy levels high. In a demanding career like music, where long hours and travel can take a toll, exercise helps you stay grounded and reduces stress.

“Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.” — Edward Stanley

A simple routine of 30 minutes of exercise, five days a week, can work wonders for your mental and physical health. Exercise helps improve brain function and memory, which is essential for learning new music and staying focused during performances.

Stretch before and after rehearsals. Consider yoga for flexibility or low-impact cardio between tour dates to support stamina.Many artists like Janelle Monáe and Harry Styles credit consistent movement routines for their mental clarity and performance stamina.

Listening to Your Body: The Key to Longevity

As a musician, your instrument is your body—whether it’s your voice, your hands, or your breath. Ignoring the signals your body sends can lead to injury or burnout. Pay attention to how your body feels after long rehearsals, gigs, or late nights. Rest when you need to, eat when you’re hungry, and stretch or move when you feel stiff.

“Your body hears everything your mind says.” — Naomi Judd

By tuning into your body’s needs, you can avoid long-term health issues that may derail your career. Just like you listen to your music, listen to your body. Your physical well-being is directly tied to your ability to create, perform, and sustain a lifelong career in music.

How often do you check in with your body before or after performing? After each show or studio session, pause for 60 seconds and scan your body from head to toe. Where are you tense? Where do you feel strong?

Nutrition: Fueling Creativity

It’s easy to fall into unhealthy eating habits when you’re on the road or in the middle of a creative binge. Late-night fast food or skipped meals may seem convenient, but they deplete your energy and mental clarity. A well-balanced diet can fuel your creativity and help you stay focused during long days in the studio or on tour.

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” — Hippocrates

Incorporating nutrient-rich foods like leafy greens, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains into your diet can give you sustained energy, improve your mood, and help you focus on your music. Avoiding the energy rollercoaster of sugary snacks and caffeine can also help you maintain steady energy levels throughout the day.

Keep almonds, fruit, or oat bars in your bag—fast energy without the crash. The food you eat directly affects your mood and mental clarity—crucial when you’re creating under pressure.

Protecting Your Ears: The Musician’s Lifeline

Your ears are your most valuable asset as a musician. Prolonged exposure to loud sounds, whether in rehearsals, concerts, or recording sessions, can lead to hearing damage. Protecting your ears by wearing earplugs or taking breaks in between sessions is crucial for preserving your ability to create and perform music long into the future.

“The ear is the avenue to the heart.” — Voltaire

By protecting your hearing, you ensure that you can continue to share your gift with the world for years to come. Prioritise your ears as much as you do your instrument—it’s the foundation of your craft.

 Invest in musician-grade earplugs—they reduce volume without compromising sound quality.Are you protecting the very tools that make your music possible?

Music as Medicine

Music is more than just sound—it’s therapy. It soothes the soul, sharpens the mind, and strengthens the body. When you take care of yourself, you not only improve your performance but also enhance your connection to your music.

“Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart.” — Pablo Casals

As a musician, remember that your health is a reflection of your art. By cultivating a balanced, healthy lifestyle, you allow yourself to create music from a place of strength and vitality. Music is life—but to fully embrace that life, you must take care of yourself both inside and out.

Just as your music heals others, it can also help you process your own emotions—if you’re mentally and physically nourished enough to receive it. How can you let your music be a form of self-care, not just output?

Conclusion: Music and Life in Harmony

Your body is your first instrument—tune it daily.

Music is life, but life itself requires balance, care, and attention. The inner game of coaching reminds us that mastering our internal world is key to thriving in the external one. Prioritising sleep, hydration, exercise, nutrition, and ear health creates a foundation that not only supports your physical well-being but also enhances your creativity and performance.

As you continue to pursue your passion, remember that taking care of yourself is just as important as mastering your craft. When you invest in your health, you invest in your future as an artist. Music is life—so live it fully, with balance, purpose, and joy.

Before every gig or session, ask: Did I rest? Hydrate? Fuel my body? Move? Protect my ears? These are not extras—they are essentials.

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” — Oscar Wilde

Stay musical. Stay healthy.