This article is brought to you as part of the ASCAP Wellness Program.

 

For a music creator, studio time presents a unique challenge. You’re under a great deal of pressure to unleash a whole lot of creativity in a very short amount of time. And it’s not always easy performing at your best in an environment that is not your own and where you might not feel totally comfortable.

 

While there might not be much you can change about the studio environment itself – there is at least one practice that can transform your experience for the better, allowing you to feel more comfortable and ultimately perform at a higher level: self-care.

 

Self-care is exactly what it sounds like: making an effort to do things that prioritize your well-being. It’s all about acknowledging your own needs and giving yourself the same level of attention, care and consideration that you readily extend to others.

 

“Self-care is everything you do to promote and maintain health,” says Samantha Gambino, Psy.D., licensed psychologist and founder of Strong + Mindful. “It includes everything we do to stay physically and mentally healthy and the many steps an individual can take to manage stressors in their life.”

 

Obviously, for creators, managing stressors is huge. If you let that stress build up, burnout is typically lurking right around the corner, completely zapping your energy and drive – and making it nearly impossible to reach your goals.

 

“When people are stressed, their thinking constricts and becomes more rigid. They may also hold stress in their body, which creates discomfort,” says Gambino. “Producing and thinking flexibly will be hard when creators are in this mental and physical space. This can create a vicious cycle of not feeling productive, creating more stress, lowering mood and decreasing creativity and feelings of self-worth.”

 

According to Gambino, self-care is an easy way to manage stress so you’re able to reach your full potential in the face of any challenges that may come your way – for example, being tasked with nailing a recording session as the clock ticks. But managing stress is only one of the many benefits of infusing self-care into your recording routine.

 

“The benefits of self-care are manifold,” she says. “It enhances your mental health, equipping you with better coping mechanisms for stressors. It fosters emotional regulation, enabling you to navigate challenges with composure. It also boosts your decision-making abilities, enhancing your confidence in handling stress and challenges. In essence, self-care empowers you to be your best self, ready to face life's ups and downs with resilience.”

 

Read on for five ways that you can bring self-care with you into the studio for your next recording session.

 

 

1. Check In with Yourself

 

When you’re in a studio environment and working within time constraints, you may not feel like there’s a moment to pause and check in with yourself. But even giving yourself a few minutes to tune in to your thoughts and feelings can make a huge difference in reducing the stress and pressure you may be experiencing.

 

“Thoughts and feelings are complex and often confusing or at odds. However, they tend to drive our choices and behaviors in life. Therefore, it's essential to slow down and really tune in to your own thoughts and feelings,” says Gambino. “Creators need to slow down and make space to check in with themselves. When thoughts and feelings go unchecked, they often get buried and come out at the most inopportune times, creating stress and anxiety.”

 

 

2. Move Your Body

 

Maybe you don’t have the time, let alone the space, for an actual workout in the studio. But getting in a quick burst of activity during a studio session can really help make some of the pressure melt away.

 

While Gambino says going for a walk and getting out in nature are great self-care activities for when you have more time and space available to you, the studio offers the perfect environment for some simple stretching and yoga poses. With just a few minutes dedicated to these practices, you can effectively release tension, improve circulation and rejuvenate your body and mind.

 

 

3. Find Inner Nourishment

 

You may already be dedicated to taking care of your physical health by exercising regularly and nourishing your body with wholesome meals. But what’s nourishing you emotionally? “Inner nourishment is those things that satisfy you on the inside and bring you joy,” says Gambino. “When something is nourishing, it usually has lasting effects that impact your health positively.”

 

There’s not a one-size-fits-all solution to this approach, because what brings you inner nourishment might be totally different than what works for someone else. With that being said, when you’re working within the confines of a studio, some self-care ideas for inner nourishment could include mood boosters like sipping your favorite beverage or doing a quick meditation.

 

+ The Best Types of Meditation for Music Creators

 

4. Try a Somatic Exercise

 

Somatic therapy, which helps promote a sense of calm by focusing on the connection between mind and body, is still one of the more under-the-radar therapeutic approaches (but likely not for long). According to Harvard Medical School, so many individuals can benefit from it – including those dealing with stress and anxiety. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need a quick self-care break, doing a somatic exercise may be exactly the solution your mind needs.

 

There are numerous somatic exercises that can provide a release, from breathwork to dancing. But for a more covert method to use in a studio setting, try a body scan. Johns Hopkins Medicine says the practice allows you to “tune into and tend to the sensations in the body,” helping you find your calm. It can be done sitting, standing or lying down. Simply close your eyes and pay extra close attention to how your body feels as you work your way from your toes to your head.

 

 

5. Embrace Imperfection

 

When you step into the studio, your main goal is likely leaving with a flawlessly polished final product. But one of the best ways you can practice self-care within that stressful environment is embracing imperfection and recognizing the beauty in the process. “Many creatives may feel the need to be perfect, or like their work needs to be perfect before finalizing it,” says Gambino. “This type of thinking can leave one feeling like their work is never good enough as it is. It also creates stress and can lower feelings of self-worth and mood.”

 

Instead of striving for unattainable perfection, consider reframing your approach to the creative process and recognize that imperfections are an inherent part of artistry and often add depth and authenticity to your work. More than likely, allowing yourself the freedom to experiment, make mistakes and grow as an artist will open you up to a more fulfilling and enjoyable studio experience.