The 7 Rules To Save Your Mental Health As A Musician

As a musician, it's easy to get caught up in the fast-paced, demanding lifestyle that comes with the industry. Long hours, constant touring, and the pressure to produce can take a toll on your mental health. That's why it's essential to take steps to protect your well-being and prevent burnout.

In this video, we'll cover the seven rules every musician should follow to safeguard their mental health. From setting boundaries and taking breaks to seeking support and practicing self-care, these guidelines will help you maintain a healthy work-life balance and stay mentally resilient.

Whether you're just starting in the industry or have been in it for years, these tips are essential for any musician who wants to thrive and avoid the pitfalls of the business. So, tune in, take notes, and commit to taking care of your mental health as a musician.

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👇 ABOUT ME:
Hey! I’m Damian Keyes and I've worked with musicians every day of my life for the past 20 years. The internet is de ply untrusting understandably and here is my background so you can have the full picture.

When I was 18, I was signed to a major label and at 23 I co-founded a Music University in Europe called BIMM (valued at $300M). I’m also a bass player, I’ve played for a number of artists including Eric Clapton, Alanis Morrisette and Billy Cobham. I initially retired at 30, but realised that life gets boring if you’re not building!

I have always been in-between the music industry and education which is how I ended up building my YouTube channel - I’ve been teaching artists how to release music long before it was a ‘niche’! I now educate artists around the world with my Academy, YouTube channel and Social Agency.

It’s great to meet you and looking forward to working together on your music!

[DamianKeyes]

It's not easy as a musician right now, you have to be across SO many things whether it's writing, creating, promoting, content, admin, being a leader... the list goes on. It is so important that you take care of your mental health as without that you don't have anything.

I hope this video helps you and whenever you need anything, I'm just a message away and I'll ALWAYS do what I can to help.

[renoir.kobashi]

I swear this man is a treasure. After 20 years making my living playing other people's music, I finally decided to put my own music out there. I've just started, and it's definitely an uphill battle! But every time I watch one of Damo's videos, I get inspired and feel like "oh yeah, I can totally do this!!" So incredibly grateful for his guidance and encouragement. Much love to all my fellow artists and hustlers in this game- keep going, don't give up, believe in yourself and LISTEN TO THIS GUY! 😄

[jamesvoorheesmusic]

I feel very overwhelmed. I shift from moments of "Hey, I could do this" to "Where do I even begin? How do I organize my time best? How do I write, make content, produce, mix/master in a manageable way that promotes health and sustainability versus overwhelm and burnout?" I want to save up $200 for your music business academy!

[voltageavenue]

I'm 30 years old now and I'm starting to fear I'll never be able to do music fulltime. Gonna be stuck doing a job I only kind of like instead of doing what I love.

[AnthonyBenjaminMusic]

As a pro athlete I’ve always had tangible markers of success in my career. The hardest part of my music journey has been knowing how to find those markers. Damian has really helped me identify how I can define success in this crazy industry!

[SenpaiTheExplorer]

I needed this. Ive been a songwriter half my life now. The last 6 years i haven't really been able to create. The lyrics if write were so personal and emotional that itd just break me down. It was to the point where it was almost like counter therapy for me. Im getting back in the groove and it feels good but ik i have to keep my head right in order to write the type of music i do. Thanks for all your videos. Been subbed for years.

[athenahmusic]

There should have people in the industry protecting artists so they don’t have to worry about unnecessary things that do harm.

[tomocwilson]

I really admire your ability to be so empathetic without sugar coating things. It's clear you really care, so thank you for posting :)

[bananastudios]

I work a Job that is 55-60 hours weekly and it’s all commission based so the pay is not guaranteed. My set schedule is never accurate. After I have to take care of my wife and daughter. I’ve been through so much and use music as I was to cope… it’s my therapy that helps me with everything I go to. I just want to share my music to hopefully help others. Yet I find my self putting so much into my work then being a full time father/husband that it strains my mental health. So thankful to find your videos . Gives me motivation to keep going even at my lowest moments. Thank you Damian!

[angermanagementstudios]

Music and the creative process has never caused me a second of poor mental health.
Actual life has made up for it ten times over!

[Aaron.Glitch]

The gold I come to you for 👌🏾 more actually mentality than strategy most important 🖤

[c-flat]

As a musician, i had a dodge mental state to begin with. I found my songs when i was already at my lowest. So music was not the cause but the symbtom. 3 of the 5 songs on the "sharper ep" started as self delete notes. With songs such as "the black dog". It was the ongoing personal support of unexpected fans that talked me off the ledge, and they even check in on me if i have not posted in a while. If it weren't for music, i'd no longer be here.

[Mr_Boifriend]

Systems > goals
Systems / habits = power

[PadenBaggett]

I've had an interesting relationship with my mental health for the past few years.

I've struggled with it throughout my life. The first time that I was almost committed was in fifth grade. The doctors over the years couldn't agree what was wrong with me. One said clinical depression, another said bipolar type 2, and the last one I ever went to said Complex PTSD .
The last full time regular job I had (Lowe's Home Improvement) I left in September 2019 and decided to just play music for a while. I fully intended to get a new job after about a month or two.

Almost immediately, for the first time in my entire life, I was happy. I'd never just been happy before.

It's been the sole focus of my life ever since. Even in my lowest moments and worst days up till now, I've been happy.

Others wonder why I'm so determined to be a songwriter, and it's as simple as that.
I'm just trying to hold on to the one thing that's actually made me happy.

[SeanLearyMusic]

Love this one Damian. A lot of creatives could use these words of encouragement, myself included. It's very easy to focus on what ISN'T going well in your music career and what you DON'T have: completely disregarding how far all of us have come in our journey along the way. We focus so much on hitting big achievements and big numbers, and don't realize those small victories or milestones that happen in short bursts through consistency. I've built so many great connections on TikTok, etc, with likeminded musicians & singers, and that alone is a beautiful thing. It may not mean I hit a crazy amount of streams and subscribers tomorrow, but I'm slowly building something :)

[lo-fitableaux]

Chronic Tinnitus will really give you mental health issues and carpal tunnel physical issues, those two will take you out. I speak from experience, protect your hearing and ergonomics!!

[IB]

Once we realise its 90% not music then we can have a healthier mindset. Thanks again Damo

[itsrob]

Honestly, I’ve tried quitting music for my health. It didn’t work either. I have more hours and years in music than I want to admit. I hope nobody feels like I do. God bless you all. Seriously!

[Dracaveli]

I tend to "wing" things like content. I appreciate this video very much. I realize now that I lack structure. I gotta do better.

[eethethird]

Here in Mexico everybody so selffish and on pose