Digital Harmony: Tech Resources for a Musician’s Mental Health
As a former percussionist turned digital ops maestro, I know firsthand how the creative life can take a toll on our mental health. The…
As a former percussionist turned digital ops maestro, I know firsthand how the creative life can take a toll on our mental health. The pressure to perform, irregular schedules, financial stresses, and relentless pursuit of our artistic visions can really throw us off beat at times. 😰
I vividly remember feeling emotionally drained after an intense semester during my music degree. Between classes, assignments, grueling rehearsals, pre-performance anxieties, and the post-concert dip, I was seriously doubting if I had what it took mentally to sustain an artistic career.
But here’s the good news — while the struggles remain very real, technology is stepping up to the conductor’s podium, offering a symphony of solutions to help musicians prioritize their mental wellbeing. Let’s explore some top apps and online resources that could be real game-changers. (My personal favorites will have asterisks*** next to them 😉)
🎶 Mental Health Apps 🎶
From meditation to mood tracking to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) exercises, there’s an app for just about every mental health need these days. A few favorites worth downloading:
Insight Timer*** (iOS, Google Play)
Insight Timer offers a vast library of guided meditations spanning different styles like mindfulness and body scans, led by renowned experts and tailored to user preferences. It provides a social community platform for users to connect, share experiences, and join discussion groups related to meditation. The app also includes features like an unguided meditation timer and access to courses on well-being.
Betwixt*** (iOS, Google Play)
Betwixt is a storytelling app designed to promote mental well-being by allowing users to create and share personal narratives. Through interactive storytelling exercises, users can explore their emotions, gain self-awareness, and process life experiences in a therapeutic manner. The app aims to provide a safe space for self-expression, emotional validation, and personal growth, ultimately helping users develop resilience and coping strategies for better mental health.
Calm (iOS, Google Play)
Offering guided meditations, sleep stories, masterclass videos, and breathing exercises, Calm is a great all-in-one mindfulness toolkit. As musicians, being able to find your center amidst the chaos is huge.
AbleTo (Formerly Sanvello) (iOS, Google Play)
This app is based on CBT principles to help reframe negative thought patterns and cope with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. Perfect for performers battling those incessant anxious mind games!
With CBT audio lessons, journaling capabilities, and mood/health tracking, Moodfit aims to improve your mental fitness over time. The progress visualizations can be so motivating.
Many of these apps offer free starter plans, making it easy to try a few and see what sticks for your needs and preferences.
🎶 Online Support Communities 🎶
As helpful as apps can be, sometimes you just need to hear “hey, I’ve been there” from someone who genuinely understands the unique mental health challenges that come with being a musician. There are some great online spaces for tapping into that sense of community:
The Fearless Artist Mastermind*** (I absolutely adore this community)
The TFA Fast Forward Membership is a community that helps ambitious musicians stay on track with their career goals through accountability and support. It offers a monthly membership with focus sessions for distraction-free work, as well as deeper discussions and guidance from like-minded, high-achieving artists.
Members gain motivation, an understanding community, and actionable plans to earn more money while pursuing a fulfilling music career.
This 24/7 support line and service in the UK provides the help, empowerment, and opportunities musicians need to thrive at every stage. Their mission is to uplift the entire music community through advocacy, campaigns, programs and investing in the people who make it all happen.
Music Minds Matter partners up to transform the industry into a more sustainable future for everyone in it. When the struggle feels real, they’re there to remind you you’re not alone.
This global non-profit is doing awesome work connecting music makers with mental health resources and fostering supportive dialogue.
The shared wisdom, empathy, and camaraderie in these communities is pure gold for those of us in the music world. You’ll likely find great tips on therapist recommendations, self-care routines, and healthy coping mechanisms.
Musicians Peer Support provides a safe community for people across the music and entertainment industry to connect, network for opportunities, and uplift one another.
This peer support group celebrates members’ accomplishments while offering career guidance and empowerment to help artists, executives, creatives and professionals live out their highest potential. Founded on principles of gratefulness, kindness and mutual respect, the organization aims to cultivate meaningful relationships and a supportive space for all on their music journeys.
🎶 Virtual Therapy Options 🎶
If you struggle to afford traditional therapy or when getting to a therapist’s office is just not happening (we’ve all been there!), virtual therapy can be a game-changer:
Video sessions from anywhere — All you need is an internet connection and a private space. No more battling traffic or rearranging your whole schedule.
Access a wider range of provider specialties — Don’t settle for whoever’s nearby. You can find therapists who specialize in creative health, performance psychology, or other areas relevant to musicians.
Potentially lower costs — Virtual rates are often more affordable, especially if you locate providers in lower cost-of-living areas. Many offer sliding scale options too.
Popular virtual therapy platforms include It’s Complicated, TalkSpace, and MDLive. Just be sure to choose one that uses a HIPAA-compliant video platform to protect your privacy.
If therapy didn’t work for you before, it was probably just a poor fit with that therapist. Having the right connection is everything — you’ve got to really vibe with your therapist to feel comfortable opening up about the deep stuff holding you back. Don’t give up though! Stay open to meeting new therapists until you find that perfect click. The right therapist is out there, waiting to unlock your full potential for growth and transformation.
I can’t overstate how valuable having a “third ear” can be when you’re deep in the creative trenches. Therapists help us get unstuck, gain new perspectives, and work through issues in a structured way.
DISCLAIMER: It’s crucial to exercise caution when using online therapy platforms. In 2018, BetterHelp faced legal issues due to improperly sharing users’ confidential information with third parties. This breach of privacy serves as a reminder that thoroughly researching and vetting any therapy service provider is essential before disclosing sensitive personal details. Your confidentiality and trust should be their top priority. Proceed with care and ensure the platform you choose has robust data protection measures in place.
🎶 A Few More Tips for Tuning In 🎶
While apps, communities, and virtual care are powerful allies, there are some lower-tech practices that pair beautifully too:
Keep a daily gratitude journal — Those small wins and joys are worth savoring!
Prioritize restorative self-care (I.e. sleep, healthy meals, time outdoors)
Surround yourself with a supportive inner circle who “get it”
Learn diaphragmatic breathing techniques to self-soothe
Don’t ignore signs that you may need a break — that burnt-out feeling is real!
At the end of the day, making your mental wellbeing a priority is one of the best investments you can make as a musician. Our minds are finely tuned instruments too, and they need consistent care and maintenance to keep hitting those high notes.
Embrace these and other tech tools to stay in tune with yourself. The music world needs your unique talents and perspectives…but you simply can’t create from an empty vessel. 🎶🙌
👋🏼 Tasia is a classically trained percussionist turned Notion Certified Consultant at Rhythm Productive, where she helps the creative arts streamline their digital operations with Notion and supporting tools.
Tasia shares her love of music through her sound healing studio, Harmonic Vibes. 🎶💜🎶
She’s also passionate about teaching musicians and creatives how to embrace productivity for a better work-life-art balance through her newsletter, YouTube channel, and community.