How Do You Wind Down After A Gig?

[delta7fred]

I always drive to gigs so never have more than one drink. I try to drink plenty of water, but not too much.

I tear down and pack my car then have a steady drive home listening to my favourite mp3s. Not rushing helps me wind down.

When I get home I unload the car, prepare a bowl of cereal and a mug of cocoa (doctors advice not go to bed on an empty stomach after a night of adrenalin. I was getting what can only be described as very bad hangover symptoms the following day).

Put the radio on (quietly), check emails, TB, Ebay etc while I eat but for no more than half an hour, then go to bed and sleep like a baby.

I usually put a black out blind up at the window so I can sleep until I am ready to wake up.

 

[MouseRat]

An animal tamer plots revenge when a magician with a talking chimp overshadows his carnival act.

Still can't stop laughing. This must be the greatest movie since Motel Hell.

 

[bolophonic]

I have an herbal remedy that does the trick.

 

[electracoyote]

doctors advice not go to bed on an empty stomach after a night of adrenalin. I was getting what can only be described as very bad hangover symptoms the following day

That is interesting.

 

[electracoyote]

Good stuff, thanks to all.

I do sometimes catch some late-night AM radio, if I'm lucky it will be something like the radio version of The Twilight Zone hosted by Stacy Keach.

I like the herbal homeopathic suggestions, especially melatonin.

 

[electracoyote]

In his autobiography, Eric Clapton explained how he got hooked on herion and alcohol -- it was his struggle to downshift from the sensory overload of a gig to the quiet isolation of a hotel room.

I think any post-gig regime has to account for the mental and physiological reality of what you're trying to accomplish.

Probably stretching and meditation.

Yes, I read that autobiography. Great read for any practicing musician, you will relate either vicariously or from an observer's perspective. He really put himself through the wringer. For such a seemingly grounded dude who has it so together as a player/writer/performer, he was a mess off stage.

I'm sure the double life that entertainers lead is part of what's going on with me. It is a drastic shift, very taxing mentally.

It's a bit like Clark Kent syndrome. You get the Superman high, and then you have to revert back to Clark Kent and be this real normal person and deal with the same crap everyone else does. It messes with your head.

 

[ahbassman]

The boys and I enjoy some cigars.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I "unwind" by packing up, loading the equipment and unloading the equipment when I get home!

That and the fact that sound check and setup are usually fairly early and it's usually a late night, so no problems falling asleep.

 

[Downunderwonder]

My bro taught me this meditative breathing technique, very effective:

Inhale over a slow ten count, emptying your mind of everything but the count and timing your inhalation speed to hit fully full of air at 10. Exhale likewise with an OHHMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Do that ten times, keeping that count in the background helps distract me away from the "action replay". By the tenth cycle I am moderately hyperventilated but completely calm and usually go out like a light.

If it fails I do it again, afaik it always works by 2nd attempt because I can't recall it ever not working.

 

[Dark Horse]

I used to have the same issue, but now (on the advice of Ray Wylie Hubbard) I do some simple breathing exercises, and that really settles my mind and body. The main thing is to be in a place that is calm and quiet, and just settle your mind - think only about your breathing....in, out, in, out ...breathe slow and deep. There are specific ways you can do it, but you probably get the gist of it. I do it when I lie in bed...really helps a lot.

 

[Dark Horse]

My bro taught me this meditative breathing technique, very effective:

Inhale over a slow ten count, emptying your mind of everything but the count and timing your inhalation speed to hit fully full of air at 10. Exhale likewise with an OHHMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Do that ten times, keeping that count in the background helps distract me away from the "action replay". By the tenth cycle I am moderately hyperventilated but completely calm and usually go out like a light.

If it fails I do it again, afaik it always works by 2nd attempt because I can't recall it ever not working.

Funny, I was just typing a similar thing...this works really well for me!

 

[delta7fred]

That is interesting.

Yea, I worked with a guy (in the 90s) who used to go to all night clubs. He said that was standard practice when you had been dancing for hours. Drink enough water during the night, then go home and have a bowl of cereal for the carbs, sugars and fats and quite a bit of salt in the cereal to help stop cramps. He agreed that if he did not do this he would wake up with a blinding headache.

 

[Electricblue]

I haven't gigged yet, but after every practice session, I like to relax by brewing a Decaff, take said coffee to the train track near mine, and enjoy a cig or 10 while watching some trains go by.

Heaven, especially if it's dark.

 

[ghiadub]

Two words: internet porn! Because for me, waking up the wife is not an option.
There, I admitted it!

LOL. I work it out ahead of time. Having her "warmed up" is key. Having me banging around the house at 3am wake her up anyway, so this way she has something (or someone) to do.


YMMV

 

[Munjibunga]

Watch TV for a couple hours.

 

[Floyd Eye]

Sloppy drunk sex.

 

[Ben Heard]

I usually just sit back and throw on some jazz, nothing like some Chick Corea New Trio to wind you down.

 

[Chef FourString]

DEAR MODS: If this is the wrong forum, please move. I thought it was band/performance related.

Okay, so I can't get to sleep after I get home from a gig.

My performances are almost always high-energy adrenaline-pumping affairs, I usually sweat through a shirt into my jacket, we've been getting great crowd reaction, a total natural high lubricated with a little malt and hops.

A little after-party (nothing crazy), a little pack-up, and then it's time to go home.

And my mind will not slow down. I keep replaying the evening in my mind. Instead of sleeping, I come here to TalkBass or play on-line backgammon.

You'd think after decades of this I'd get used to it, but I don't. And I can't go to sleep until the wee hours of the morning, sometimes not until the sun comes up and my mind and body are just totally exhausted.

The problem is, I have responsibilities the next day. I run an entertainment company and I have 20 guitar/bass students through the week, so there is literally ALWAYS something I could/should be doing.

I can't afford to take a day off every time I gig, but I usually do, using the excuse "I gigged last night, I'm tired so I'll just take it easy," and I get next to nothing done until my students start arriving in the evening during the week, and I will blow off an entire Saturday afternoon or all day Sunday.

A couple of caveats:

I do not take chemicals of any kind unless they are in a bottle of beer. Pharmaceutical sleep aids are not an option.

Any natural or homeopathic remedy will have to be something light that digests quickly. As a general rule, I don't eat late in the evening past 6PM or so. Late-night eating invokes acid reflux and makes it hard to fit into my stage clothes.

I think I need to do something mental, some kind of meditation or deep breathing, clear my mind and re-focus on what lies ahead, starting with sleep.

Any suggestions on how I can drift off into much-needed sleep sooner after a gig?

Your brain needs cool down time just as much as your hands do after a gig. My suggestions would be to have cup of a mellow tea, preferably a light Asian grass tea. Nothing that is spiced. (You can control aspects of your mood and brain patterns through your taste buds.) As well as a book. Read to make your mind happy on a basic level and to disconnect from your body. When you feel yourself start to sink on your bed, close the book, turn off the light and close your eyes. I hope this works as well in your future as it has helped me in my past.

 

[laCherry]

Listen to an audiobook low enough in volume to be able to hear it but not too loud as to jar you - something you have read before though so you know the story. If you're into fiction. Anything you aren't familiar with might hold your attention for too long because you might want to follow it so, something you know already and don't need to concentrate on is good. For me it's children's classics. Yes really. I like that stuff and find it soothing. Kids like bedtime stories - it often sends then right off so sometimes this also works for adults.
I've got one of those iPod pillow things so I don't disturb the fiancé.

 

[Electricblue]

Your brain needs cool down time just as much as your hands do after a gig. My suggestions would be to have cup of a mellow tea, preferably a light Asian grass tea. Nothing that is spiced. (You can control aspects of your mood and brain patterns through your taste buds.) As well as a book. Read to make your mind happy on a basic level and to disconnect from your body. When you feel yourself start to sink on your bed, close the book, turn off the light and close your eyes. I hope this works as well in your future as it has helped me in my past.

lol.