How Music Students Can Beat Stress

The last few years have certainly added layers of stress to our lives. 

Studying in education and working as professionals in a specific industry can often be challenging, even without the additional pressures of recent times. 

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, we would like to help you manage your stress levels by introducing a few tools you might find useful. 

Quick tip: when you realise that you are stressed: stop whatever you are doing and breathe. Take a deep breath in and a deep breath out. Repeat this at least five times."

Exam stress | 5 simple tips:

• Take frequent breaks
• Leave your home at least once a day (during the day)
• Eat/drink well
• Get plenty of rest
• Reach out for help if needed

Below we've collated some telltales signs of stress - and what we suggest might help.

Please get in touch with your tutor or our Wellbeing team for support if you are feeling overwhelmed.

There's always too much to do

Identify the problem. Ask yourself questions: What is working? What is not working? What can I do better? Do I need additional support? Accept what you cannot change.

This can be hard but be patient and compassionate with yourself. Compiling a gratitude journal and mindfulness meditation can help.

Working 24/7

Instead of constantly working, you should try and schedule your day; set morning or evening routines so when life escalates you have some stability. This will also improve your time management and sleeping routine.

Experiencing physical exhaustion

Keep you body moving and try to go out every day, even it is just for a five minute walk. This can do wonders to improve wellbeing. Remember to eat healthily and drink plenty of water.

Comparing yourself to others

Focus on your own uniqueness, there is only one human like you. Embrace that rather than continually comparing yourself to others, whether it be their talent, success or career. You can even list what you like in yourself and write it down.

Relying on alcohol and drugs to unwind 

Alcohol and drugs can actually trigger stress in the long term. Start by simply saying no and be clear with friends and family that you want to find better ways to cope.

Feeling isolated

Don’t forget to reach out to your family, friends and peers or wellbeing team. Share your worries with others.

Zoning out

As soon as you have realised that you have ‘zoned out’, change something - stand up, move around, make yourself a drink, get away from the screen.

Too much stress

Schedule a few hours weekly when you do something just for yourself. Something that you like and recharges you. This can be; playing music, taking a bath/long shower, reading a book/magazine, be in nature, dancing alone. Be flexible with yourself and be aware of your options.

And one final but crucial tip – when you are stressed, play music. It’s a great way to relax. It’s an outlet for expressing emotions and it helps distract you from negative thoughts.

Visit stress.org.uk for more information. You can also check out this list of NHS-approved apps too.