If you were to ask any musician what their favourite part of the job is, most would say performing live on stage. There’s no better feeling than taking to the stage, showcasing your talent, and having adoring fans hanging on to your every word. It doesn’t matter whether you’re performing to thousands upon thousands or a handful of people, the rush and adrenaline you get when rocking out are like no other.

This means that once the gig is over and you return to the dressing room, all that energy you’ve just received on stage can make it incredibly difficult to relax and unwind. If you’ve still got adrenaline surging through your body, we’re here to help. Here are some things you can do in the immediate aftermath of a gig that can make it much easier to get a good night’s sleep, so you’re well-rested and ready for another show.

Meditation and Breathing Exercises

When you’re fresh off the stage, your mind is bound to be in overdrive. If you’ve been rocking out and blasting music in your inner ears for the last 90 minutes, trying to get back to normality is going to be difficult. What you will find that helps are meditation and breathing exercises. In fact, musicians all over the world swear by it!

Performers tend to turn to these techniques to calm their minds and body after being on stage. Meditation methods help relax your muscles, quiet your mind and lower heart rate and stress levels. Whether you’re back in the dressing room, on the tour bus, or alone in your hotel room, give yourself a few minutes to engage in these practices. We promise they can help you transition from the high-energy state of performing to a more relaxed state of mind.

Physical Relaxation Techniques

Musicians often use physical relaxation techniques as a way to ease tension in their bodies after being on stage. These can include yoga, stretching, or a relaxing bath or shower. Stretching, in particular, can help release tight muscles while improving circulation. If you’ve got the space to do so, yoga combines physical movement with breathwork. Both of these work together to promote relaxation and reduce stress levels.

If you’ve got a hotel room with a bath, you may find having a soak before getting into bed can be a big help. Having a relaxing soak can soothe your muscles and body, providing a calming effect. Some performers find exercise is a great way to unwind after a show too. Just find something that works for you.

Online Gaming

If you’re back in your hotel room and still feel on a major high, the idea of getting a good night’s sleep may be near to impossible. You may have tried some relaxation techniques or had a soak in the bath to no avail. If this is the case, why not indulge in some online gaming before hitting the hay? This can be an excellent way to get rid of any excess adrenaline and even relax you!

Lots of musicians enjoy playing casino games. If you’re one of them, check out PlayLive. Their PlayLive casino guides can give you a better idea of how to navigate their games, strategies to use, and what titles are best to play on. Once you’ve had an hour or so of online gaming, all the excitement you’ve had may help in you getting some much-needed shuteye.

Listening to Music and Podcasts

Sure, you’ve just been on stage performing, so you may believe listening to music would do anything but relax you after a gig. However, we’re not talking about upbeat tunes here. Instead, popping on something a little more soothing and calming can quickly bring your adrenaline levels down and get you back to normal.

If you’re around a team of people in the dressing room, you may prefer to put your headphones in to zone out. Listening to music can help you relax and switch gears after a performance. Alternatively, you may wish to put on a podcast instead. Sometimes, just listening to someone having a conversation can bring you back down to planet earth and help your brain adjust accordingly.

Reading

While some performers like to go out and party after a performance, others like the idea of chilling in their hotel room with a nice book. If you lean towards the latter, we don’t blame you! Reading can be an excellent way to unwind and relax after a mammoth gig. Whether you’ve got an old-fashioned book by your side or you pull out your Kindle, reading can truly calm your senses and prepare you for a good night’s sleep.

The great thing about reading is you can do it just about everywhere! For example, if you’re on the tour bus going to your next destination, you can get stuck into the pages, and before you know it, several hours have passed and you’re heading to your hotel room.

Journalling

All the buzz and excitement from your gig can be overwhelming. If you’ve just gone from being in front of thousands of people to being alone in a hotel room, the contrast can be difficult to endure. There are some musicians who find putting pen to paper a cathartic and soothing experience.

Why not note down how the gig went? As you start journaling your experience, any wild thoughts rummaging around in your brain can quickly disappear. There are many benefits of starting a journal too. Doing so can help you prioritise problems and fears and identify any negative thoughts and behaviours.

The thrill of being on stage can’t be explained in words – you have to feel it to appreciate it! Once the curtain falls and the gig is over, you need to look at ways to relax and calm down, otherwise, you’ll have a hard time getting a good night’s rest!

Thankfully, there are lots of techniques and activities musicians partake in once the lights go up, which can help get you back to normal, enjoy the rest of your evening, and ensure you wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the next gig.