Managing Stress in the Creative Industry: Techniques and Resources
- Adilla
- Nov 21
- 4 min read
It’s no mystery that the creative industry is the backbone of so many amazing shows, advertisements, movies, music and more. There are no limits to what they can do, but because of that, with no clear boundaries, stress comes hand in hand with it.
Stress management for creatives is different. We can tell you to take more breaks or do meditations, but what happens when factors are external and relentless?
Table of Contents
Why Is Stress Common in the Creative Industry?
Several surveys and studies showed a jarring concern about the poor mental health condition of workers in the creative industry. There are several factors that cause these:
toxic leadership
a lack of accountability, and
financial instability.
Managing creative stress is different because most work for the love and passion for the craft, but also because of precarious work conditions. It’s a struggle to implement better stress management.
For example, animation burnout is one of the most common ones in the news. Animator mental health tends to be overlooked by the industry despite the love and hype for it.
Stress Management Strategies for Different Sectors
Managing stress doesn't have to be a daunting task. In fact, it's all about finding the right strategies that work for you. Yet, it’s not just about individual efforts; managers and studios play a crucial role in fostering an environment that supports effective stress management.
Stress relief techniques can vary for individuals, as it depends on the source of their stress, as cited from WebMD’s views of stress management. So, we created a bite-sized way of managing creative stress for different sectors of the creative industry.
For Project Managers
Finding work-life balance can be a struggle for these decision makers, so setting boundaries between you and work is the first step to mitigate stress.
Besides that, they need to foster a supportive work environment with open communication to prevent future stresses that may come from conflicts or miscommunication.
For Creatives
Creatives need to dedicate adequate time for intentional rest and regular physical exercise. Yes, the long hours of staring at your work or being fixed in your seat can build tension in your body, which can have an impact in the long term.
For Companies and Studios
Taking the time to highlight efforts and achievements can help boost employees positively, giving them the needed recognition after a good job. Investing in providing mental health resources for the teams is another method for managing stress in the creative industry.
3 Early Warning Signs of Creative Burnout
Before stress consumes you and leads to creative burnout, there are early signs you can look out for.
Emotionally Drained and Loss of Motivation
One of the clear early signs of creative burnout is that one overwhelming feeling you get just from thinking about your work. Then, it leads to a feeling of demotivation.
While feeling overwhelmed is normal, it shouldn’t be taking over your life and paralysing you from doing work.
Changes in Sleep Habits and Constant Fatigue
This may vary for individuals, but a change of sleeping habits is an early sign of burnout. Whether you’re sleeping too much or sleeping too little, you would still feel constantly tired.
Increased Irritability and Social Withdrawal
If you’re feeling annoyed at everything and everyone, it’s a warning sign too. So, because of that, you find yourself socially withdrawn and isolated to prevent hurting anyone by accident.
Resources To Support Mental Health in Animation
The animation industry is infamous for news, with animators suffering from burnout and poor mental health. Knowing where to seek help and support for your mental health prevents it from spiralling further.
Seek Professional Help
If you have the resources, seek out professional health. Whether it is therapy or counselling, alone or with a group that you trust. Professionals will be able to equip you with the necessary tools and information to help you navigate your creative mental health.
Join Virtual Aid Training
A preventative measure for not only individuals but also the animation industry. If you are a creative leader seeking a space to bring awareness of the importance of mental health, the Behind the Scenes Charity organisation hosts Mental Health First Aid Virtual training.
Key Takeaways
Managing creative stress isn’t easy, as factors don’t really involve just internal as external factors can be a common cause too.
Creative leaders and studios play a big role in better stress management for the creative team.
With the right resources and support, your creative team will be able to efficiently work on what they are passionate about.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Besides stress, what are the other common negative effects that the creative industry struggles with?
Besides stress and burnout, poor work-life balance is a common struggle in the creative industry. The nature of creative work makes it hard for creatives to find a balance between work and their personal life.
Other than that, unfortunately, certain sectors of the creative industry have poor financial stability, causing added stress for these creatives despite their love for their craft.
I feel guilty when I step away from work. How do I cope with stress and with the guilt of resting?
To cope with stress and the guilt of resting, practising mindfulness and relaxation techniques can help to find the boundaries between work and rest. Activities like regular physical activity or journaling can help with stress relief.
Author Bio
With a background in Arts English, Adilla has been a casual writer for various hobbies like parodies of animated shows and plots for board games. She loves to read anything and everything from fantasy stories to articles on tips and tricks. Now an advocate for mental health and effective project management for the creative industry. Currently, Adilla resides in Malaysia and is a creative writer at TESSR. To know more about her, check out her LinkedIn.
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