With Linkin Park’s, Chester Bennington’s death recently, the dreaded conversation about depression being an actual problem has resurfaced. The death elicited sorrow, grief and memories from his fans, peers and collaborators from entire industry. Although we are again left wondering, do you have to suffer to create art?
If we only look at the music industry we have legends like Chris Cornell, Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison who faced death young. They were though living every word of the music they created and through that maybe sending us signals of traumas that they lived. Horrors of real life can definitely help in creating great music but the price that the fans (along with an artist’s family) pay in long term is frightening. We all would agree today, that we could have lived with some mediocre songs than not having an artist at all with us today.
According to health.com, artists and entertainers are in top five when it comes to chances of depression. But if we closely look at this list, it covers most of the top paying vocations of our age.
So how can one deal with depression? Well, there is no formula that one can apply to this problem. Everyone has their own mechanism of coming over the lows but some of what is mentioned below might help you:
Music
There are a plethora of emotions which come into play when one listens to music. Use it to calm yourself down when life hits rock bottom. If nothing else it will introduce you to people who are facing the same emotions as yours. We think and assume that the lyrics have no relation to an artist’s life but it does.
Image Credits: fasheo.com
Talk
Technology has reduced the time we dedicate to face to face conversations but there is no better cure to depression than to talk it out. Make sure you talk about the challenges you are facing to someone whom you are close to.
Volunteer
While it might be difficult to act as a giver when you are struggling with your demons but it will definitely work in your favour. There is no better joy that one can gain than helping someone in need, find one for yourself; but till then help others.
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Socialize
Rather than retreating in your shell, make an effort to socialize when the going is rough. Opt for groups in which you are comfortable and places where talking is easier.
So next time your co-worker tells you that they would be ditching a party or a friend tells you that he would like to talk. Make sure you listen to them and not disregard them.
While we mourn for the legend that is lost, there are still a lot more people that we can save.
