Q&A: Managing Stress & Anxiety w/ Suz Paulinski The Rock/Star Advocate

Many of us are struggling with balancing our new roles of teacher, full-time chef, and constant housekeeper, on top of whatever you do to earn money. Managing stress during Covid-19 is something that many of us also need to add to our to-do list.

“In a 2018 study from the Music Industry Research Association, 50 percent of musicians reported battling symptoms of depression, compared with less than 25 percent of the general adult population. Nearly 12 percent reported having suicidal thoughts — nearly four times the general population.” – Rolling Stone

Ariel had this stress and anxiety conversation with her dear friend Suz (The Rock/Star Advocate). Suz is her go-to in the business for all things mental health-related, as she is exceptional at keeping things in perspective and providing coping tools.

And so they decided to open up the conversation and have it with YOU!

WATCH THE MANAGING STRESS DURING COVID-19 Q&A ON YOUTUBE!

Suz is a mindset coach for music industry professionals looking to gain clarity on their goals & find a better work/life balance. She designs custom time management systems and helps her clients implement new routines. These create more freedom & balance in their daily lives. Suz believes you don’t have to sacrifice your health, your relationships, or every hour of your day to succeed in music. She believes it’s time to #RedefineTheHustle and find success with less suffering.

In this video Suz and I discuss:

• Dealing with stress during a time without live music

• Making music as a stress reliever rather than thinking of it as work

• How to use this time to make deeper connections with your fans

• Remotely collaborating with friends and other musicians

• Tools you can use to continue making connections while remaining socially distant

In this Q&A Ariel Hyatt, founder of Cyber PR is joined by Suz Paulinski, founder of The Rock/Star Advocate to discuss management tips for those who are suffering with stress and anxiety. during For some the Covid-19 pandemic has been a time of rejuvenation. For some it’s been a chance to reconnect with family. For others, however, it’s been difficult to adapt to a new way of living during quarantine. It has been especially hardwhile having to face a multitude of emotions that result from the unknown.

The uncertainty has made a large impact on musicians particularly, especially those who make their living from performing music live, touring, and gigging. Because of this new barrier, it is natural to find yourself confronted with stress and anxiety. With Suz’s years of experience as a mindset coach for music industry professionals, she shares some great advice for musicians who feel lost during this time, and offers useful ways to cope with and channel those feelings.

To Alleviate Stress Take Time to Grieve

To begin, Ariel and Suz discuss how people have been grieving during this pandemic, whether it be grieving loved ones or grieving their old lives prior to quarantine. Although many of these feelings can be new and strange to us, Suz tells us the importance of allowing yourself to feel them regardless.

A common trend among musicians is feeling the need to constantly provide your art or overwork yourself. Because of this, it can sometimes feel selfish to take time for yourself. However, it is very important to make yourself a priority and give time to yourself before giving to others. For those who find it difficult to take breaks, Suz advises setting aside one hour everyday to rest and temporarily get away from work. This “me time” is a form of self care and will help you ease your mind and better your mental health.

Another helpful thing to do is find outlets to relieve stress. This can be anything from meditation, to exercising, to reading a book. Whatever works for you!

The Differences Between Stress and Anxiety

Suz also helps break down the differences between stress and anxiety, and how they function within each other and independently. In the case of musicians, many of them tend to stress out and only make goal-oriented music. Ariel suggests a way to help you feel relief by making music for fun, not just for work. Another way music-making can be more enjoyable is by collaborating remotely with fellow musicians and friends on projects.

True Connection is An Antidote

Finally, Ariel and Suz stress the importance of taking this time to truly connect with your fans. Many artists have been using Instagram Live as a way to keep in touch with their listeners and have even been giving them behind the scenes footage into their creative processes. This is a very effective way to share your creativity with fans in a way that is a bit different than before the pandemic, and it helps them get to know you and your art better.

We are all, as humans, struggling during this pandemic in one way or another. Regardless, it is important to maintain your sense of self once it is all over. And it will be over! With these helpful tips from Ariel and Suz, musicians everywhere can find ways to make this difficult time a bit less stressful and can learn how to channel their feelings in a positive way.

Redefine the Hustle Virtual Retreat

Here’s How to Connect with Suz:

Website • Twitter • Facebook• Instagram •YouTube

 

Liked The Q&A – Theres MORE! Check out the Live Q&A schedule here.

We will be broadcasting on Facebook, IG, Periscope on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays with special guests.