Improve Your Mental Health Through DJing [7 Brain Hacks]

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Күн бұрын

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@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

⚡ TIMESTAMPS ⚡ 0:00 Intro 2:36 Use it to regularly relieve stress 3:48 Commit to creating, not consuming 4:57 Prioritise chasing the “flow state” 7:04 Engage the left side of your brain too! 8:56 Lean into the community 10:54 Engage with the public on your terms 14:58 Surprise yourself by making music 17:47 DJ community chat

@taurus_1977 Ай бұрын

Whenever I can't sleep I either listen to the music, mix a set, practice a battle routine, make beats, watch dj battle videos, scratch tutorials, dj mix set videos, It does make me feel better

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

Agreed!

@billscott6819 Ай бұрын

Listen, you are really onto something. My wife and I have done extensive mindfulness training, it's so powerful and rewarding. I'm a DJ since the mid 80s too, and it is the best therapy, but I hadn't really considered the benefits of that, such a rewarding focus. Cheers for this great connection. Forget the gear, the most basic tools are all you need, the records and ideas are the gold. 🎯🎯

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

Agree completely Bill!

@MatthewGillespiedj Ай бұрын

DJing on Twitch feels isolating as I don't have the audience in front of me. DJing IRL feels stressful as guests and dancers want to be up by the DJ. I wish for the days that the DJ was this mysterious figure up high in a booth, like the wizard behind the curtain.

@bartekjanik8009 Ай бұрын

Faithless are right: ....g..is a dj....

@mario312 Ай бұрын

this

@DennisCollins79 Ай бұрын

I did a big profile gig back in May in a tent with around 3k people in it. I absolutely loved it as I was a bit away from the crowd. Fast forward a month later and I was back in the bar I play in and found the crowd on top of me a bit overwhelming!

@AminAhmed2 Ай бұрын

As a DJ and health/wellness podcaster, this was by far my most favorite video @phil. So glad to hear influential people like you talking about this important topic 👍

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

Thanks Amin

@kennethmalafy8012 Ай бұрын

Took you guys long enough to catch on, DJ'ing is a big part of my mental health for a while now. It's an art, engaging in art has been proven (time and time again), to improve your happiness and mental health (but only when you don't make it all about you).

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

Oooh we've been doing it for years without even realising :)

@bartekjanik8009 Ай бұрын

For me, one of the most important films, telling who you are now and who you can be playing music from your mind in the future... window opened....and for many years later maybe (or not) last song will be Faithless....is a dj....

@dennisborner1923 Ай бұрын

After almost 25 years of working and living as a DJ, I retired as a DJ and quit smoking. Barely 10 months later, I had the hardest time of my life and fell ill with depression. Of course, there were also other factors that led to this. It was almost 5 years ago now and I have fought my way back into life. The depression is still there subliminally and I have to follow routines every day and pay attention to my diet and sleep. And music has accompanied me the whole time. Just not the DJing. I'm starting to do that again now. Because I couldn't sell my gear. That's why I've spent the last few weeks deciding which controller to get to start with. Rane One and Rev7 were first on my top list. Then came the Rane 4 and the Rev5. But now I'm waiting for the Rane Performer to be released. I hope it comes soon. Thank you very much for discussing the topic so openly and offering DJing as support.

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing your story. And to your question, yes the Rane Performer is coming very soon!

@cristina_garcia Ай бұрын

It's a great video, Phil. I'll share my story here: One of the reasons why I bought my first controller two years ago was related to mental health. I was working back then. I'm not working anymore. I was very stressed due to the complex task I had to do despite my lack of experience. My colleagues had no patience with me and they sometimes treated me in a rude way. I felt useless and clumsy. It was hard for me to disconnect after work. My mood improved a little bit when I started to DJ. At least, I had something to focus and have fun at weekends. I had some time when I could just enjoy music and learn something new. When I was fired, DJing was a key thing to stay positive and not feeling down again. I would be depressed without it.

@barrypook8506 Ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing your story and the all the very very best fir the future 😊

@cristina_garcia Ай бұрын

@@barrypook8506 thank you so much. You're very kind to wish me good luck in a future. I hope that everything goes well to you too 🙏👍

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

I'm so glad music is doing this for you Cristina 👍

@masqueraver3552 Ай бұрын

DJing helps my brain switch of to negative thoughts and improves my mood..when playing think about nothing else apart from the music ..esp trance

@bartekjanik8009 Ай бұрын

Trance is every thing together and separate..

@cabante Ай бұрын

As a DJ, producer, and musician, whenever I feel like I need a break or something to take my mind off things, I often mix on my decks or play some tunes on my synths. I get transported away from the ordinary world, and my focus is only on the music and the emotions it evokes. It always makes me feel better.

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

Exactly!

@DJ-DARKSIDE Ай бұрын

Music is a powerful thing it helps me so much the whole process finding new tracks planning sets practicing playing. Music has saved me

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

It saved me as an 18-year-old too

@ShuffleMixtress Ай бұрын

It allows me to work out what’s on my mind with music. It’s extremely transformative and healing! I love this! 👏🏻🎧🎶

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

Yes, feel that!

@DanoSuits Ай бұрын

Hey Phil, thank you for the great shows! I wanna recommend a book called, "Sonic Youth Slept On My Floor" by Dave Haslam. Its right up your alley!

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

I am personal friends with Dave, he was a DJ mentor of mine... and yeah it's a great book!

@danielcraig9666 Ай бұрын

I used to be a manic depressive until I set aside time to dj. Something about figuring out where to navigate the peaks and valleys in a set also helped me to figure out my own internal regulation.

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

That's amazing Daniel

@vicshyma5644 Ай бұрын

Awesome 👌

@JohannesNielsen Ай бұрын

I only ever DJ'd for private functions in the 80's as Clubs still allowed smoking and as I had Pneumonia when I was 9 I avoided night Clubs. I'm now an Electronic Music Producer/Jazz vocalist/DJ and studying Music therapy and will be performing in Age care facilities as well as on cruise ships and in Tenerife and Benidorm Spain. Delivering Art and music therapy programmes for Alzheimers and Dementia clients. As well as honourably discharged Defence force personnel.

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

Thanks, this is an inspiring story!

@jackmercer4244 Ай бұрын

I popularized "electronica" at the night club in a USMC base when I was active duty in 98. Normally, they have hip hop, country, or rock. Marines were mostly whites, some blacks, some Latinos. Asians were rare. Enter some Asian guy with his weird "House Music" lol My partner was black, he spun Jungle. We partied like rocks stars at underground raves and festivals in LA/Socal. I was featured in the Sci Fi Action film Battle: Los Angeles at 15:35 into the movie, some Asian marine talking about music and mixing. That's how they portrayed me, except I had a flattop the whole 4 years.

@mario312 Ай бұрын

I used to DJ at parties among friends back in highschool trough my early 20's, a few years ago i took out my 12's set them up in my home office and got some media players, i do it mostly for mental health, it's one of the few things that quiets down the ADHD.

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

Good to hear!

@SonicWalkerMix Ай бұрын

Excellent show! I reintroduced music and DJing in my life last year for exactly these reasons.

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

Great to hear this

@djdiscoworm Ай бұрын

NICE !!!!!💫💫💫❤❤❤❤

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed this

@UONeal Ай бұрын

Nice l teaser of the Rane Performer...I love these"leaks"

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

Ha!

@user-eo3ph1jn8e Ай бұрын

I was looking forward to joining your group, I won't put my picture online so much for that. Thanks.

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

Not sure what you're telling us/asking, sorry

@DjStinger Ай бұрын

I know you did that intro smile on purpose 😂✌️

@djhemirukahemisphere8893 Ай бұрын

As a fulltime open format dj mental health is hard. Late nights, promoters, venues, gigging and mostly music .. It's not the same as just playing what you enjoy for fun

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

No, that is 100% true. It involves discipline and listening hard to your mind and body. Good luck!

@bboymac84 Ай бұрын

Such a tease!! Get that rane per4mer in the club!!

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

Not long now they say...

@bboymac84 Ай бұрын

@@digitaldjtips I’m holy by July cuz you wanna get these at pool parties and clubs! ASAP!

@Speedy_Germany Ай бұрын

You do a great Job . Greetings from Germany . I Would also Like to start djing . But time , and wife dont Like Club Music , but i do.

@cristina_garcia Ай бұрын

My parents don't like electronic music neither, but they understand me. I'm free to listen to it and play it, although I prefer doing it alone. I don't want to disturb them 😅

@bartekjanik8009 Ай бұрын

My wife don't like electronic music as well. I moved my all stuff to my little house in countryside, there i can do everything 🙂 till 5 am.

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

Many DJs have partners who don't like their music, that doesn't mean they won't encourage you when they see how much it means to you - try her!

@Str1ng5 Ай бұрын

Traktor saved me

@bartekjanik8009 Ай бұрын

I play on s8 plus other machines and gears...

@jackmercer4244 Ай бұрын

You can burn out of DJing if you're being pressured to being the best all the time, or you DJ just to pay the bills without even feeling the music. Or you have to take requests of music that you don't like. I know a guy who did mobile for a long time, and he burnt out, because it's just business, it hasn't been a party for a long long time. It's what I call being "Pushed" to DJ. For longevity and good health, I prefer being "Pulled" into DJing, and this Pull starts with Fresh Music, or Fresh Ideas. Being Pulled is that itch you need to scratch, that motivation in your head like "Oh, I cannot wait to drop this new track (or this forgotten gem!" Or, "Oh, I cannot wait to try this new trick that no one's ever done before. Or you discovered hacks that improved your rig and cannot wait to put it to use in your next gig. But the healthiest DJing for me is when I'm selfish and self indulgent by playing only music that I like, only to myself, and that's impossible to do with paying gigs. It's why I kept DJing as a hobby after I burnt out of mobile DJing the 90's. I became a selfish SOB, I will spin even when nobody's around, and I go home feeling charged up rather than drained. Compliments and tips: money, alcohol, and even candy, charge me up even higher! But I don't care if I get no attention at all. Same with being a party goer. People should not be pushed to go clubbing, they should be pulled. And when they leave the venue, they should satisfied and charged, not drained. As an old boy, I can't do all-nighters anymore. It's why I hope to catch the Morning Gloryville parties soon. Hell, I just might start my own Mornign Gloryville, which is a project that I kept in the back burner for a while. I need to do it to Charge myself.

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

I love that push/pull thing. I think when we define "success" (as in "am I a successful DJ?") LONGEVITY needs to be taken into account. Just because you can do it today, can you do it tomorrow? Next month? Next year? What is your strategy for "keeping it interesting"?

@bartekjanik8009 Ай бұрын

@@digitaldjtipstrying make new sounds and combinations, playing old and new sounds and sometimes change it, always look for something new. One rule: new day = new ideas. 🙂

@jackmercer4244 Ай бұрын

@@digitaldjtips hey guys! 12:13am Just got back from and amazing self indulgent gig. Gotta recharge my rig now and gotta replenish my fluids as I drink like a fish.. lol get back to you soon as I can. 🍻

@jackmercer4244 Ай бұрын

@@digitaldjtips Longevity... It was in high school, in the early 80's, when I knew that DJing would be my life long hobby, whether I made money on it or not, whether I would be famous or not, because I was a music lover long before I got into the dance scene. It was a given that I'll be buying music for the rest of my life. But it was that conscious decision of saving up and purchasing a brand new pair of Technics SL1200Mk2s was when I realized that I'm committing to something for the first time in my life because 1200's went for around $300 a pop, and high schoolers just didn't have that kind of money in the 80's. I would've had to drop out of school and get a fulltime job, and minimum wage was like $3.50 hour?? It was in the mid 80's when I finally got the 1200s. I was good with Radio Shack's Realstic DJ mixer. And with a crossfader! Imagine that... But at the same time, for about ten years down the road, I had doubts about committing to the dance scene because my mother wasn't supportive of me partying all the time. I'm from an old fashion conservative Asian family, making money and having fun while doing it was a foreign concept. So that joke you made is Spot On. I think having kept DJing at a hobby level was probably a key to my longevity. Another one is my eclectic taste in music, I would've burnt out early on if I committed my whole life to dance music only. Or even worse, one genre only. How do I keep things interesting?? By being a Selfish SOB. I quote a key scene in the cult film Napoleon Dynamite, "What are you going to do today Napoleon?" "Whatever I feel like I wanna do, gosh!" lol I live by this these days. It wasn't easy at the start, and it's not easy even now, even for a busking DJ like me. I still feel the pressure, but far less now. I'm less stressed, and more pissed. lol I give all credit to Pri Yon Joni for predicting The Future of DJing, when he made a funny video skit where he was scratching on the sidewalk and someone dropped some change into his drinking cup. I was never busker. I just decided to build a super compact battery powered DJ Rig in 2017, and started street DJing in Tokyo just for fun, and as sort of a DIY electronics experiment. It was the first DJ rig of it's kind, at least here in Japan, AFAIK. There were a few DJ crews that DJed in the streets but they used gas powered generators and a van. My rig fits all in a folding cart and I go by train. There were ninjas spying on me who tried to sneak photo shots of my rig. Probably Pioneer or Denon spies. My latest DJ innovation is my hoverboard powered DJ cart. As I mentioned before, strive to be The First on something. Or, at least be one of The Few, because what's point of doing what everyone else is doing?? Competition? Sports DJing? lol No thanks.

@jackmercer4244 Ай бұрын

@@digitaldjtips As proof of concept that DJing is NOT ONLY about "Donce Music", listen to The Kleptones mixtapes. AKA Eric Kleptone, he is indeed One of The Few who I admire. His musicality is AMAZING. On a similar level as Gilles Peterson, IMO

@jackmercer4244 Ай бұрын

I agree that DJing keeps us young. And my theory is, that as DJs, we are no longer slaves to the clock like the normies. As DJs, We Are the Clock, the Time Keeper, the Metronome, the Conductor commanding orchestras, bands and individual musicians. And when you start following your own clock, The Universe will let you know that you're on the right path, with Synchronicity: found items, symbols, omens, and recurring numbers 11:11 666, 6666, 777. We won't stay young forever, tho. We simply age slower, maybe. I'm in my late 50's now, but I looked like a teenager in my mid 40's, someone mistook my wife as my mommy. 🤣🤣🤣

@vasiliszaxaropoulos8726 Ай бұрын

👍👍👍👍👍

@jackmercer4244 Ай бұрын

26:38 I love that story, it's very rare times when career DJs become selfish. Master Chefs cook for customers all day long. But even Master Chefs have to eat, right?

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

Exactly

@nareshangelia-sookrajjr.1365 Ай бұрын

Music has helped me get through a lot. when I was younger I would be by myself writing scripts to video game soundtracks trying to make an epic story. My family is Caribbean, they like Soca and Dancehall/ Reggae and Chutney. In high school I had friends that got me into Hip Hop, My girlfriend now Fiancé loves Spanish music, mostly Reggaeton. When I figured out I could take things or a song I liked about one style of music and combine it with another that instantly blew my mind. I still to this day think it’s magical how songs can flow and combine together in harmony. And just like how it started, to tell a story. Or to create a vibe.

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

Yes, that creativity is a great thing to harness, glad you discovered it!

@DJCasanovaVIP Ай бұрын

Don’t talk about the Performer but make sure it’s in the shot every 30 seconds

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

We are working on our review

@RenatoHarripaul1217 Ай бұрын

👍👍👍👍👍👍

@atakgraffitisuperhero Ай бұрын

Ironic; Talking about mental health but teasing us with a RANE performer XD ..... 😜

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

Haha!

@jaygreenakajackstax9345 Ай бұрын

Sorry all, but I dj to not grow up and I'm 47. I'm like Peter Pan 🎉

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

Fair enough!

@floridaman9968 Ай бұрын

I fundamentally reject the premise. People's happiness has been on the decline every year since they started keeping tracking it like 70+yrs ago. Everyone wants to do some hack or trick that is going to make them feel better. Nobody wants to fundamentally change, question their reality, ask hard questions. Like, why were people so much happier a long time ago than they are today? What was different then, than how things are today? I find the people most likely to defend the status quo, to defend the values of today's culture, are the people most likely to be posting on social media about the importance of talking about mental health, and how they struggle with poor mental health.

@bartekjanik8009 Ай бұрын

I think we should get back to old school in electronic music: g-man, ronnie & clyde, apex twin, minimal techno, dub techno, collin newman, the basics from the 90's, there were so many artists, get it on the gears, look in people's eyes and play it in our mind way, again....

@digitaldjtips Ай бұрын

Music makes me feel better

@bartekjanik8009 Ай бұрын

@@digitaldjtips me too, 47 now. 🙂

@floridaman9968 Ай бұрын

@@digitaldjtips Lots of things make people feel better but don't address why they don't feel good in the first place.