Cairns-based indie-pop musician Greta Stanley has never shied away from discussing tough topics in her work – and this carries through in her new record, If I Get In, Where Would I Go?. The vulnerable album, released late last month, touches directly on Stanley’s struggles with her mental health.
Midway through recording the LP, Stanley was also diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, and lost her house to floods. Needless to say, it’s been a treacherous year.
So, to mark the triumphant release of If I Get In, Where Would I Go?, Stanley is taking The Music through her top five tips for centering yourself when struggling with poor mental health.
Contact A Friend
Call or text a friend. Honestly, when I feel super overwhelmed or stressed out, I text my besties – or my mum – maybe not even necessarily about what I’m going through, but just to chat to someone that I love and break the thought pattern. It’s not always as easy as that, but it’s something that has helped me sometimes when I feel the anxiety brewing.
Time Alone
I’m easily overstimulated, so bright lights, lots of noise, socialising, or being ‘on’ really takes it out of me! I notice this to a more extreme extent on tour – my mental health is usually really poor after a tour, just from being so overstimulated and not having time to decompress. I like to always schedule an extra day or two off my day jobs when I finish a big gig or a run of shows, because any time I’ve tried to keep pushing has resulted in me having a full blown meltdown. I don’t make plans for that day off, I like to stay home and just watch movies, hang with my dogs, eat good food, not socialise at all and tune the heck out for a day.
Treat Yourself Like A Child
If I’m really in the midst of an anxiety spiral, I try to remind myself to talk to myself like a friend or like a little kid. It can be hard when your inner critic is so loud, but it does help in slowing down the noise. I’ll give myself what I’d give a little kid. I’ll cook yummy food – this is hard for a lot of people when they’re not feeling mentally great, but I really enjoy cooking and it helps me distract myself when I feel anxious. Sometimes, when it’s worse, I’ll order myself a nice fat burger, chippies, and a Coke. I give myself reassurance, a funny show, a dark room and a comfy bed.
Exercise
It doesn’t have to be anything crazy, but I think this has been a really important preventative measure for my anxiety and depression. Trying to move my body every day through weight training or yoga or a walk or a swim, whatever I’m in the mood for. I really enjoy weight training, because it makes me feel strong and I find it genuinely enjoyable – unlike cardio. Since my back pain issues, I have also been incorporating a lot of yoga – initially just for pain management, but now I find it really makes me feel calmer and connects me with my breath. I’m definitely not motivated every day to workout, but it’s easier when I’m with my boyfriend or a friend because I can be more accountable. I just try to do something most days, even if it’s just a slow 20 minute yoga, or walking my dogs. I think setting yourself really small goals is a good way to maintain movement. The key is to not put too much pressure on yourself when you’re in that space.
Meditation
I am hugely dependent on Michael Sealy’s sleep meditations on YouTube. These are my #1 go-to on a night where my brain won’t shut the fuck up. They help me get to sleep almost every time! Just make sure you turn autoplay off, because once I began having really – and I mean really – wild dreams, because it automatically went to this lucid dreaming spirit world video meditation.
I want to add that I obviously don’t think these things cure or fix anxiety and depression. These are things that simply help me when I notice I’m not feeling my best, now that I’m at a healthier stage in that journey. I will always seek out therapy and the help of my GP when I’m at my worst mentally.
‘If I Get In, Where Would I Go?’ is out on all streaming platforms now.
If you are suffering from any of the issues that have been discussed or need assistance, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
