Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1532010
"how are you holding up?" 48 S P R I N G 2 0 2 5 I C A S Q U A R T E R L Y Switch It Up: Find hobbies unrelated to work I'm no scientist or health expert, but from the observations I've made looking over my own life, I can tell you for a fact that you have to do more than just take a break. Sometimes you literally have to "break away" from your work and do something completely different during a time of rest, reflection, and rejuvenation. For me, it's either creating music or shooting some hoops in the driveway. I learned years ago that simply swapping projects did little or nothing to improve my mental health. The more dramatic the shift in focus, the better. As a matter of fact, if you're forced to take a break because of ear fatigue or a troubleshooting issue, allowing the mind to rest from the arduous task and focus on something else completely unrelated can inspire creative problem-solving and eureka-like moments. It's happened for me countless times and I'm sure you can relate. And who among us hasn't nodded off or fought sleep with glazed-over eyes? Getting outside of the entire building and receiving sunlight has numerous proven benefits, including boosting mood and energy levels by increasing serotonin production, which is ultimately a chemical in our brains that helps regulate mood, sleep, and appetite, to name a few. These are all things we happen to need to be the best versions of ourselves at work and everywhere in between. Serotonin teams up with the Vitamin D synthesis from the sun (even on overcast days) and melatonin. It also helps to regulate cortisol levels and boost dopamine if your body is properly producing it. So, on your next break, maybe don't walk across the lot to the other mix stage to see what they're up to. Perhaps, try walking to a pond to hang with the fish you can watch swim or to a market to pick out the fish you can eat. Either way, switch it up, your brain will thank you. A Sobering Reality: Do it before you can't Here's my sobering truth that hopefully won't shake you up too much but shake you up enough to make serious changes you know you need to make if holistic health is an issue for you. My favorite and closest Uncle Steve was 57 years old when he died after multiple strokes and seizures and a brain bleed that ultimately took him out. It seemingly came out of nowhere until I discovered from my cousins that he was working double shifts as a security officer and bouncer with terrible eating and sleeping habits. It's also possible he was having mini-strokes, and because he isolated himself, many of us didn't know what he was going through. I know for a fact that he loved his work, but very rarely switched it up to do other things. And, based on the back-to- back shifts he was taking, I'm pretty sure he wasn't getting up and getting out very much either. When Uncle Steve passed, it was a truly sad day because the doctors said his body and organs like his heart, lungs, and kidneys were performing almost perfectly, but in the end, it was his brain, the neuro-center of the body, that failed. There was literally nothing we could have done to save him. Moving Forward: Closing thoughts Today, we have a unique opportunity before us to take our health seriously using a holistic lens. Calisthenics at, under, or around your desk can be very effective if you can't make it to or aren't a member of a gym. A talk with a relative or friend with superb listening skills can be a strong start until you can find an appropriate therapist. You don't have to be a vegan to start paying attention to how you fuel your body. I'd like to personally thank everyone who checked-in on me after the most challenging year of my life to date. I'm sure if I took a poll, I'd be flanked by many of you with similar stories and experiences. I really hope and look forward to seeing you at the CAS Awards. If you see me or any of your fellow colleagues on LinkedIn, reach out and say hi. Every Tuesday when I can, I take a break from whatever mixing task is in front of me and I use the voice memo option on my iPhone. I then proceed to leave check-in messages for everyone that comes to mind for at least an hour. Some messages are long, some are short, but more than likely, I almost always ask the question, "How are you holding up?" Let's keep that going for each other as our industry heals itself and we take the proper time to do the same for ourselves.