2024 Stress Awareness Month: “Livestream Solutions for Stress – Managing Your Goals, Engagement, Stress & Burnout”
This article supports the 4 part 4 week series produced in support of Stress Awareness Month by Livestream Solutions – Livestream Academy. The original LIVE can be found via – Livestream Solutions For Stress Episode 1 This series is designed to emphasise education, engagement, empowerment, identification of stress indicators, and promote best practices for managing the multifaceted challenges and expectations of LIVEstreaming and Content Creation. The three other parts can bewitched via our YouTube Channel – Livestream Solutions Academy YouTube Channel
The Stresses and Strains of Livestreamers: Navigating Mental Health in the Content Creation Industry
Livestreamers and Content Creators face a myriad of challenges unique to the industry, which significantly impact their mental well-being and overall health. The constant demand for high performance and creativity in producing engaging content, coupled with the competitive nature of the field, leads to heightened stress levels among professionals. Mental Health issues like anxiety and burnout are prevalent in this sector, highlighting the importance of understanding and addressing the stressors faced by Livestreamers and Content Creators.
Navigating the need to keep up with ever-evolving trends and technologies can be overwhelming for content creators. For instance, a gaming streamer may feel pressured to stay updated on the latest game releases, hardware upgrades and streaming techniques to maintain audience engagement and relevance in the industry.
Even worse is when you are somewhere between being a “Hobby” Livestreamer / Content Creator and a professional??? WHAT are you doing? WHY? WHERE? HOW often……… .are you putting yourself under self-induced pressure to compete with others or harshly comparing yourself with others whom you perceive (rightly or wrongly) are as successful as you would aim to be?!?? This constant need for innovation and adaptation can lead to mental exhaustion and burnout, impacting both the quality of content produced and the creator’s well-being. The fear of losing audience engagement and comparing oneself to more successful content creators are common stressors that plague individuals in the livestreaming community. For example, a beauty influencer may experience anxiety when their viewership numbers fluctuate, leading to self-doubt and heightened stress levels. This pressure to not only retain but also grow their audience can create a cycle of stress and performance anxiety that hampers the creator’s creativity and mental health.
Common Stressors Faced by Livestreamers and Content Creators
The demanding nature of constantly coming up with fresh and engaging content can be emotionally draining for Livestreamers and Content Creators, causing mental fatigue and burnout. For instance, a content creator who primarily focuses on gaming may feel the pressure to keep up with the latest game releases, maintain high-quality gameplay, and interact with viewers simultaneously, all of which can be overwhelming. This perpetual need for novelty and originality can create a cycle of stress and exhaustion, impacting their overall well-being and performance. The fear of losing audience engagement adds an additional layer of pressure, as maintaining a thriving engaged viewership or community is crucial for sustaining a career in content creation.
Impact of Constant Engagement with Audience
Constant engagement with the audience is not just about responding to comments; it involves creating meaningful connections and maintaining a sense of community within the viewership. Livestreamers and Content Creators often invest a significant amount of time and energy in fostering these relationships, which can be emotionally taxing. For instance, streamers may feel pressured to be constantly available and entertaining, leading to a sense of being constantly “on” and unable to switch off from work mode, ultimately impacting their mental well-being. If you are a “Professional”, i.e. you either have sponsors or you provide Livestreaming as a Service (LaaS) as we do at Livestream Solutions, then you are even more under the cosh at times to provide the expected ROI to clients? Oftimes, clients expectations are NOT managed correctly and they expect you to get something akin to them being the “Kardashians”??? Think it’s all rosy being an “Influencer”?…..Read this – The Influencers Are Not Alright!
To illustrate, consider a content creator who streams daily and interacts with their audience for several hours at a stretch. While this level of engagement may be rewarding in terms of viewer loyalty and support, it can also blur the boundaries between their personal and professional lives, potentially leading to burnout and exhaustion. The emotional labour involved in maintaining a positive and engaging persona on camera can be exhausting, especially when creators are dealing with their own personal challenges behind the scenes. Therefore, finding a balance between audience engagement and self-care is crucial for the long-term sustainability of content creators in the industry.
Strategies for Managing Stress and Preventing Burnout
Livestreamers and Content Creators face a myriad of challenges that can lead to burnout if not managed effectively. In addition to setting clear boundaries between work and personal life, it is crucial for individuals in the industry to prioritise self-care practices. This includes taking regular breaks, ensuring proper nutrition, getting adequate sleep, and engaging in activities that promote relaxation and mental health. For instance, successful streamers often emphasise the importance of incorporating activities like meditation sessions or community days into their schedules to enhance their overall well-being.
Importance of Self-Care and Mental Health Awareness
In the realm of livestreaming and content creation, prioritising self-care and mental health awareness is paramount to the well-being of creators. For instance, taking regular breaks between streaming sessions not only allows time for physical rest but also helps to rejuvenate the mind, enhancing creativity and overall performance.
“Grounding” has long been proven to have multiple benefits. “Park Runs” as recommended by our very own Steven Healey or simply getting out into nature are all simple but highly effective antidotes to stress. From a Livestreaming and Content Creation perspective, plan a balanced day, week etc into your schedule. You CANNOT Stream or write, create, develop content 24/7……………if you are not feeling in the right place then that WILL come through in your content and ESPECIALLY on-screen!!!
Supportive Actions From Like-Minded Creators
Seeking support from a community can play a significant role in coping with mental health issues and preventing burnout among Livestreamers and Content Creators. Connecting with like-minded individuals who understand the unique challenges of the industry can provide a sense of belonging and reduce feelings of isolation. By fostering a supportive environment, individuals can share experiences, seek advice, and receive encouragement, ultimately contributing to a healthier mindset and improved mental well-being. Successful streamers have highlighted that having a reliable support system can be instrumental in navigating the pressures of the industry and maintaining a positive outlook. This is EXACTLY what we have done at Livestream Solutions – Meet The Team. We have collected together like-minded individuals in a joint Venture Partnership and we are all available when required within our selected specialist areas but moreso, a brilliant team of support for each other!!
Goals – Plans – Action – Success
It is CRITICAL that Livestreamers & Content Creators write down their goals!!! The amount of people who don’t do this, don’t associate a date with the goal(s) is incredible. You MUST have all your goals listed and what are the (initial) priorities?? Then you put an outline and eventually a detailed Plan together. Is there a difference between the 2?? Yes – Take a look at this (oh, and EVERYBODY has a view of the differences) – Goals & Plans
I learned from my time in the Forces that “Your Goals are set in concrete, but your Plans are set in sand!”….. WHY??? Things change, life happens and therefore so WILL your plans. Regardless, the changes are temporary but your end state, the Goal will always be the same effect or achievement. You CAN however add new Goals to those set as circumstances will potentially drive that
Living Life At a Mountain Pace: Sustainable Strategies for Success
In addition to external support, it is essential for content creators to develop resilience and coping strategies to manage stress effectively. By implementing stress-relieving techniques such as mindfulness practices, exercise routines, or creative outlets, individuals can build emotional strength and enhance their ability to handle the demands of their profession. Ultimately, a holistic approach to well-being that encompasses physical, emotional, and social aspects is paramount in safeguarding mental health and preventing burnout in the fast-paced world of Livestreaming and Content Creation. The link in the paragraph header was a recent Blog Article we wrote on this subject of living our lives at a “Mountain Pace” and it’s well worth a read.
Healthy Eating & Professional Support
Additionally, maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet provides the necessary fuel for long streaming hours, supporting cognitive function and emotional stability. Moreover, ensuring an adequate amount of sleep is crucial as it aids in regulating mood, improving focus, and reducing the risk of burnout.
Seeking professional support and therapy services can be a game-changer for content creators dealing with mental health challenges. By proactively addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, or burnout, individuals can learn coping mechanisms, develop resilience, and sustain their passion for content creation in the long run. Moreover, promoting a culture of openness and support within the livestreaming community can break down barriers surrounding mental health discussions. Normalising conversations about well-being not only reduces the stigma attached to seeking help but also creates a network of understanding and empathy among creators, fostering a supportive environment for all.
Viewer Support Behaviours and Content Types
Viewers play a crucial role in the success and mental well-being of livestreamers and content creators through various support behaviours. For instance, consistent liking, sharing, and commenting on content not only boost the visibility and engagement of the creators but also provide them with a sense of validation and appreciation for their work. This positive reinforcement can significantly impact the mental health of content creators, fostering a supportive and encouraging environment. Additionally, actions like tipping, subscribing, and participating in community activities create a more sustainable income stream for Livestreamers, reducing financial stress and allowing them to focus on producing quality content.
Final Thought
As a Livestreamer or Content Creator you must ask yourself what you are doing this for?? Is the time, effort, constant struggle to get where you think you want to be worth it OR is it yet another source of Stress!?!
Livestream Academy: More Information & Training
As always, for more information on our complete range of Livestreaming services or to get started, contact one of the team via our StreamBOT, email – info@livestreamsolutions.org or call us on 00353 (0) 86 847 5854
BJS
Joe SHEPPARD
Head of Livestreaming & Engagement
