On a sunny spring day at Riverside Revival — a former church turned music venue in Nashville, Tenn. — MusiCares welcomed local music industry professionals to its second annual Mindful May event on May 21, a wellness-centered gathering held in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month.
The event, presented by Sweetwater and MusiCares, offered musicians, artists and industry workers a much-needed chance to slow down, connect and prioritize self-care. The setting was as meaningful as the mission: A restored, light-filled space that served as the perfect backdrop for an afternoon focused on mental, emotional and physical well-being.
"As musicians, we're wired to constantly create and have our emotions on display. For many, it's challenging to set aside time to recharge and prioritize self-care, and we want to make it more accessible," Sweetwater CEO Mike Clem says. "Experiencing Mindful May firsthand, along with other creators, reaffirms the relevancy of our mission at Sweetwater — to care for musicians throughout their journey."
Throughout the day, attendees explored a range of holistic activations designed to promote healing and resilience, including:
Holistic Chiropractor Station (NET): Led by holistic chiropractor Dr. Rosemarie Caigoy, participants explored Neuro Emotional Technique (NET) — a powerful mind-body approach that identifies and releases "stuck" emotional stress patterns often linked to physical symptoms. The interactive station highlighted how emotional health directly influences overall physical well-being.
Standstill Tea Ceremony: Founders Weichao Zhang, Tiffany Liu, and Taurean Nixon of Standstill Tea guided guests through the grounding traditions of Gong Fu Tea culture presented by Sweetwater. The ceremony emphasized mindfulness, intentional movement and sensory awareness, offering attendees a much-needed moment of stillness and reconnection with themselves.
Mindful Music Lab Sound Bath & Meditation: Led by the team from Mindful Music Lab, this immersive experience combined guided meditation with the healing vibrations of crystal singing bowls, chimes, and voice work. The session helped participants regulate their nervous systems and cultivate creative clarity through deep relaxation.
Custom Hearing Protection: In partnership with 1 of 1 Custom, MusiCares offered attendees the opportunity to be fitted for custom-molded ear plugs, empowering music professionals to protect their most vital asset: their hearing.
Fresh Pressed Juices from Grain & Berry: Attendees could refuel with a variety of nutrient-dense, fresh pressed juices courtesy of Grain & Berry — a reminder of the importance of sustainable, energy-boosting nutrition for those navigating the physical demands of a music career.
Yoga & Breathwork Classes: Certified instructors led yoga and breathwork sessions designed to relieve stress, manage anxiety and foster a stronger mind-body connection — tools especially vital for maintaining balance in high-pressure creative industries.
Massages: Licensed massage therapists were on-site providing restorative massages to help guests release built-up physical tension and promote emotional resilience, offering a much-needed reset for minds and bodies alike.
Mental Health Resources: Licensed therapists offered confidential check-ins and free optional screenings for depression and anxiety, creating a welcoming, stigma-free space to prioritize mental well-being.
In addition to that activation, Music City Pet Partners added a dose of cuteness with emotional support pups.
MusiCares 101: MusiCares staff were also present to introduce guests to the organization's full slate of services, including mental health and addiction recovery resources, health and dental support, and emergency financial assistance for music professionals in need.
"Mental health support looks different for everyone, which is why we designed the event to take a holistic approach," Halen Anderson, Executive Assistant of MusiCares' Health & Human Services team, explains. "Our goal was to support each individual's mental health and wellness journey, and Mindful May created a dedicated space designed precisely for that purpose."
The event closed with a panel on resilience, creativity and mental health titled "Finding Harmony in the Hustle: Managing the Demands of a Music Career and Taking Time for Yourself" featuring psychologist Dave Verhaagen, artists Grace Bowers and Drake White, and MusiCares staff member Candress Suber. The conversation underscored a key message: In an industry fueled by constant hustle and emotional intensity, prioritizing wellness isn't just important — it's essential.
As rock songwriter and guitarist Grace Bowers put it, balancing creativity with mental health takes real intention. "It's hard to take a break from it and step back sometimes because you feel like there's so much going on."
Dr. Verhaagen, a licensed psychologist and director of the Artists + Athletes Program at Southeast Psych Nashville, echoed the importance of mental resilience, adding, "If you can adopt certain mindsets that inoculate you against the wear and tear, those are what make you ultimately more resilient."
Mindful May is a reminder that healing and artistry go hand in hand, and it's important for music creators to care for themselves as much as they care for their craft. As MusiCares continues to grow Mindful May programming, Marshai Iverson, Managing Director of MusiCares' Mental Health & Addiction Recovery team, insists that the Nashville event is just the beginning for the impactful initiative.
"My team and I are intentional every year about curating the right wellness experiences, and we're incredibly proud of what we created," she says. "The energy was real, the healing was felt — and we can't wait to keep the momentum going."
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