By Ryan Philip George
The Mental Health of Tour Life
On and Off the Road
By Ryan Philip George
Originally Published on www . ThisTourLife . com
The touring industry is a very demanding field to work in , both physically and mentally . Most of us are familiar with the routine - step out the front door , get into an ‘ Uber ’, head to the airport , check our luggage , get through security , grab a coffee , walk down the jet bridge , buckle in for the ride and finally take off . That ’ s just the beginning of it all - there may be many additional challenges , stresses , and successes ahead .
But before you begin your run , ask yourself - where is your head ?
Are there unsettled issues at home ? Are you excited ? Nervous ? Stressed ? Ready to take on a new challenge ? Worried you don ’ t posses all the skills the gig requires ? Uncertain of where you stand amongst the rest of the camp ? Are you preparing to be healthier on the road ? Have you set yourself up to succeed or to just fall back into the same old same habits ? Amid the myriad of things you need to have in order , your mental health should be your biggest priority . Why ? Because everything else will follow if that is in top shape .
According to the World Health Organization , 450 Million people suffer from mental illness . They also report studies stating that 1 in 4 people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives . That places mental disorders among the leading causes of ill-health and disabilities worldwide . A recent study conducted in Australia has spotlighted how large this issue is within our own industry .
You are not alone …
Working in the live event industry can be very rewarding . The love of music , traveling , the rush of the crowds , the energy of all involved is electric . Most say they do it because they love it ; but that does not make it a perfect situation . The hours are a bit insane , the travel is extensive , and the stress can be overwhelming . Most power through , rise to the occasion and rock it ! However , if you ’ ve been doing it long enough you are bound to have hit a wall or two ( or three ), made a mistake , or just didn ’ t fit in that particular camp . It takes a toll , and as amazing as most are in this business you are not superhuman nor infallible . If we are not careful it is possible for us to crash physically , emotionally , and mentally .
You may not realize it but you could be in a downward spiral . It is important to be aware of the signs :
• Tiredness
• Irritability
• Angry feelings
• Anxiety
• Stomach pains
• Chest pains
• Lack of sleep
This decline in well-being may create lasting physical damage . Each time this happens it ’ s wearing down your resilience and slowing your ability to recover . This can result in depression and / or anxiety that is easily and often triggered .
Ignored or unaddressed burnout can have significant consequences , including :
• Excessive stress
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• A negative spillover into personal relationships or home life
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Alcohol or substance abuse
• Heart disease
• High cholesterol
• Type 2 diabetes , especially in women
• Stroke
• Obesity
• Vulnerability to illnesses
Depression and anxiety can cost you jobs , opportunities , and relationships . While we may not feel all the negative effects of touring while on the road , the effects can hit us hard a day or so after we return home . For some , being home can be bittersweet . It may be likened closest to soldiers away from home . As much as they look forward to getting back home they often report finding themselves longing for a return to the fray . It ’ s not the battle that the soldiers most often report wanting to get back to , but a longing for the camaraderie , ‘ brotherhood ’ and support that comes from being in a unit ; like being in a tribe . Although touring is not a life and death situation , it is a unit working close together with the bond of a common goal and shared invested success .
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