Music Mental Health Diary Entry Day 9: When the Silence Keeps You Up: Sleep Anxiety in a 24/7 Music World

By Rich Steve Beck

I’ll admit it—there are nights when I lie awake, staring at the ceiling, wondering if I’m the only one who can’t switch off. My mind races through unfinished tracks, unanswered emails, and that one note I still need to fix. The irony isn’t lost on me: in an industry fueled by late nights and early mornings, sleep feels like both a luxury and a necessity. If you’ve ever worried about not getting enough rest, you know how heavy that thought can feel.

The Guilt of Hitting Snooze

For me, mornings are often filled with guilt. Did I sleep too long? Not enough? I’ll wake up already behind, replaying everything I didn’t finish the day before. You might feel the same way—like every extra hour of sleep is stolen time from your creative work. But here’s the thing: no amount of guilt makes me more productive when I’m running on empty. Does hitting snooze ever leave you feeling like you’re failing before the day even starts?

Why Sleep Feels Impossible in the Music World

Let’s face it—the music industry doesn’t exactly encourage rest. Deadlines don’t wait for REM cycles, and inspiration rarely strikes on a schedule. I’ve spent countless nights tweaking mixes or writing lyrics because that’s when the world feels quietest. You might find yourself doing the same, sacrificing sleep for productivity—or creativity—only to feel even more drained the next day. Does the pressure to keep up ever make you wonder if rest is even an option?

How Sleep Anxiety Sneaks In

What makes this so frustrating is the cycle it creates. I worry about not sleeping, which keeps me awake, which makes me worry even more. It’s like my brain won’t let me turn off, no matter how tired I am. You might notice the same pattern—lying there, thinking about all the things you didn’t finish or stressing about how tired you’ll be tomorrow. Does the fear of being exhausted ever make it harder to actually rest?

The Myth of Burning the Candle at Both Ends

There’s this unspoken expectation in music that you have to always be “on”—writing, producing, promoting, performing. I’ve fallen into the trap of thinking I need to sacrifice sleep to succeed. But here’s what I’ve learned: burning out doesn’t make you better at what you do. In fact, it does the opposite. When I push myself too hard, my creativity falters, my focus slips, and my energy plummets. Do you ever feel like the harder you push, the less you actually accomplish?

Strategies That Help Me Break the Cycle

Over time, I’ve found small ways to ease the anxiety around sleep. For me, setting a loose bedtime routine helps—whether it’s reading something unrelated to music or listening to calming sounds instead of playlists. Sometimes, I’ll jot down lingering thoughts in a notebook to clear my head before bed. You might find similar strategies useful—ways to signal to your brain that it’s okay to rest. Does creating space for sleep feel like self-care—or just another task on your list?

Giving Yourself Permission to Rest

One of the hardest lessons I’ve had to learn is that rest isn’t laziness—it’s essential. I used to think I wasn’t allowed to stop until everything was done, but the truth is, nothing is ever truly “finished.” Allowing myself to sleep without guilt has been a game-changer. You might struggle with this too—feeling like every moment of rest is a moment wasted. Does giving yourself permission to rest feel freeing—or indulgent?

The Impact of Sleep on Creativity

Here’s the thing: sleep isn’t just about feeling less tired. For me, it directly affects my creativity. When I’m well-rested, ideas flow more easily, and I’m better at solving problems. On the flip side, sleep deprivation turns even simple tasks into challenges. You might notice the same pattern—how a lack of rest dulls your edge and makes everything feel harder than it needs to be. Does prioritising sleep ever feel like a creative investment rather than a distraction?

Finding Balance in a Non-Stop Industry

In an industry that glorifies hustle, finding balance can feel impossible. I’ve started reminding myself that rest isn’t the enemy of productivity—it’s the foundation of it. Whether it’s scheduling downtime, setting boundaries, or simply letting myself nap when I need to, these small acts of self-care make a big difference. Do you ever feel like slowing down is the bravest thing you can do in a world that never stops?

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Rich Steve Beck is a podcaster (PMFC Global TV), pro audio engineer/producer community leader (Produce Mix Fix and Conquer), full Music Producers Guild member, and pro mastering engineer who's worked with platinum-selling and Grammy-winning audio engineers.

He is also on a huge journey discovering about his own mental health and has felt a calling, as a large music community leader, to be an advocate for open mental health discussions across the industry.

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