For creative and technical artists, your health is unquestionably one of the most valuable possessions you may own. For this reason, you must take the best possible care of this asset. Your body is directly tied to the quality of music you generate, whether playing, singing or producing. Concentration, energy, and technical expertise will all suffer if your body isn’t properly cared for. Neglecting and disrespecting your body has repercussions.
If you’ve decided to pursue a career in music, you are probably well aware of the art of listening. This goes beyond the music you are making or engineering: you should also learn to pay attention to your body’s signals. Because certain indicators can be subtle, it’s critical to pay attention to how you’re feeling both physically and mentally. Even though it may seem obvious, you should never disregard warning signs that your body may be sending.
Keep it Clean
A clean work environment is the greatest and most inspirational atmosphere to ensure you can give your best. The recording studio must be kept clean and dust-free. Piles of garbage from the previous day are enough to make anyone sick so be sure to clean up as your session ends, whether or not you will be returning. Most studios do not have windows but try to ensure the area is well ventilated, even if this means leaving it open when on breaks or time away.
Stick to Regulations
If you are hiring studio space, it is a good idea to ensure that you have studied their protocols and requirements. At Pirate.com’s recording studios you will be required to supply your own laptop as well as a USB-C cable to connect to the supplied interface. You may need an adapter if your laptop does not have an HDMI or VGA port. In their recording studios, a maximum of five people are permitted per session and they supply antibacterial wipes in all US locations to sanitize the equipment at the start and end of each session. The studios are cleaned and sanitized as frequently as possible and the amount of people you interact with is reduced thanks to their self-service concept.
Set Schedules, Including Breaks
Whether you are in the studio for one session or a few days or even weeks, it is important to draw up schedules. These may not be strictly adhered to at all times but at least it’s a reference point to work towards. You will not become better, faster, or stronger if you do not respect your own boundaries; instead, you will become counterproductive. Structure your workload in a way that is both orderly and manageable. Once you’ve discovered what works for you, evaluate it regularly. Always focus on one activity at a time and do it completely before moving onto the next. If you’re having trouble organizing your workload or developing a practice routine, take a break to refresh the mind.
When working in the studio, taking a break every hour or so is advised. It is critical to allow your eyes and ears to relax. Even if you are a musician or singer in the studio, these breaks are essential for your specific tool-set as well. You’ll have a much clearer perspective when you return to your project and you might even notice some things that require attention that you didn’t see while working closely on it. It will alter your perspective and make a significant difference in your energy levels and concentration.
Good Eating Habits
Eating a well-balanced diet is important in any industry. Increase your intake of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, oily fish, and other lean protein sources, especially when you know you have extended periods in the studio. Healthy eating will allow you to devote more energy to the things you enjoy doing, such as singing or creating music. Even most takeaways these days have healthy options to choose from but your priority should be to eat fresh unprocessed food. Be careful of skipping meals as this can compromise your immune system.
Stay Hydrated
It can be easy to forget to drink enough water while in the studio. But you can use this as a means to get the body moving as well. The more water you drink, the more times you need to take a bathroom break. It’s a pretty simple concept, yet it’s very effective. It is suggested that you drink at least eight glasses of water every day. There are numerous advantages, including improved skin and kidney health. Another advantage is the cost; aside from the bottled variety, it’s practically free!
Energy Boosters and Drainers
Many artists and technicians drink energy drinks while working as it keeps them awake all night when pushing for a deadline. However, your liver and kidneys will suffer the consequences long-term. Your career will be derailed if you indulge in too many vices. The industry will eventually abandon you, and your career, physical health, and mental well-being will suffer as a result. The motto “everything in moderation” is a good one to keep in mind. Keep conscious of any addictions that can take control of your life.
Move Your Body
During the day (or night) in the recording studio, be sure to stretch your muscles. Stretch your fingers, toes, arms, and legs. Don’t forget to pay attention to your neck and back. Bad posture can lead to all sorts of injuries and these are more common with a sedentary lifestyle and career like producing music. Walk around. Get some fresh air whenever possible. This might clear that creative block and provide you with much-needed relief.
Schedule Exercise and Get Outside
Every day, set aside at least 30 minutes to loosen your joints and muscles from head to toe and help you to feel happier and more inspired. Any form of exercise is good with yoga and Pilates being ideal in addressing your mind as well as your body. The importance of mental health is equal to that of physical health.
There are no excuses. You can quickly transform the studio into a makeshift gym. Squats, sit-ups, burpees and jumping jacks are all you’ll need. That said, getting a daily dose of sunshine is critical. Take your exercise or break session outdoors to improve bone density, mental wellness and to keep your mind focused on the task at hand.
Sleep
It’s critical to obtain a full night’s sleep to keep your thoughts in order and maintain a healthy mental routine. In a business plagued by overrunning sessions and after-hours chores, this is extremely tough to execute. However, there comes a time when you must prioritize your personal well-being, which includes keeping your working hours consistent from day to day.
Protect Your Assets
It is important to consider all aspects of the job. There are various ways you need to protect your body. These include your eyes, ears, back, and more. Screens can harm your eyesight, deplete your energy, and result in insomnia. To protect your eyes, reduce the brightness to the lowest feasible setting and invest in protective glasses, like those used by graphic artists and gamers. Try to disconnect from devices on your breaks – put down the phone and reconnect with reality and nature.
A comfortable chair will go a long way toward preventing back pain. Invest in a chair that is both comfortable and supportive. There are numerous ergonomic varieties available. Working standing up is also beneficial and some very useful automatic desks can be elevated to a required height setting.
While recording studios may have a bad reputation for being unhealthy, these tips can help you to maintain good health and mental wellness despite the low lighting, stale air, computer screens, excessive exposure to loud noises, and long hours. Today’s technical and creative artists are oftentimes overly committed to their craft which can easily lead to injury and other health issues if they do not adopt and follow healthy habits.