Post Concert Depression: Symptoms, Causes, & How to Cope

What Is Post Concert Depression?

Post concert depression is a type of depression that occurs after one attends a concert, causing them to feel sad, particularly after a show that was much anticipated. The excitement and energy a person feels when looking forward to a concert can make them feel more motivated, hopeful, and happier. Additional thrilling aspects include travel, hotel accommodations, or a new outfit. A person may also experience some nostalgia and surrealness when seeing a band performing live.

Returning to ‘the real world’ post concert can feel like a culture shock, similar to returning from a vacation or a memorable fun wedding reception. The adrenaline rush of preparing for and attending a concert will start to diminish, and potentially cause a person to crash. All of the time previously spent planning and looking forward to the concert can leave a massive hole in a person’s life, until the next concert or exciting adventure occurs.

Is Post Concert Depression Real?

While post concert depression is not a clinical condition, it is fairly common for concert-goers to experience. It can occur for a few reasons, as something that was once a focal point for joy begins to feel like a distant memory. Post concert depression can happen to anyone, whether you are an avid concert-goer or not, and regardless of the venue and amount of time spent planning for the event.

Post Concert Depression Symptoms

Symptoms of post concert depression can look very similar to traditional symptoms of depression. As mentioned previously, life can seemingly look and feel a little more dull or bleak after going to a concert.

Post concert depression symptoms may include the following:

• Rumination (continuous negative thoughts)
• Extreme sadness
• Wanting to relive the concert over and over again
• Longing to be back at a show
• Worrying that something so exciting won’t happen again
• Constantly looking at  pictures and videos of the show
• Experiences stages of grief
• Feeling as if nothing matters

7 Tips for How to Get Over Post Concert Depression

There are plenty of ways to learn how to be happy again. Even understanding how to recover from feeling emotionally drained, and get out of a funk can really help you overcome post concert depression a lot easier. Additionally, practicing healthy coping skills, interacting with friends and loved ones, and creating tangible memories of the concert are beneficial. Post concert depression doesn’t have to keep you from being open to experiencing new and exciting things.

Here are seven tips for how to get over post concert depression:

1. Practice Gratitude

The practice of gratitude helps you to reflect and embody your experience. It helps you really capture and appreciate the moment you had, as if it were a bookmark. This mental bookmark allows you to revisit this moment at any point throughout your life, and recall the happiness you felt at the opportunity to see your favorite artist.

2. Bond and Connect With Other Fans

There are a handful of ways that you can bond and connect with other fans, especially on social media. Depending on the band/artist, there may already be a few fan pages published. Search the name of your favorite artists to find other accounts and posts that relate to them. Because others won’t quite understand your love and appreciation for a particular group, interacting with other fans can be helpful.

3. Make a Collage as a Keepsake

Making a collage is a creative way to capture the memories that you experienced at a concert. Even if you didn’t take a ton of pictures or videos, you can go online and find some, too. Print them out and make a collage , so you can keep the memories fresh.

4. Have a Jam Session

Music has many therapeutic benefits, and spending the time to have a full-out ‘jam sesh’ to at least one song a day can automatically enhance your mood. It can bring you back to when you were at the concert and enjoying the song live. Music helps to alleviate stagnant or negative energy that you may be experiencing as a result of post-concert depression.

5. Make a List of Things That Bring You Joy

Making a list of things that bring you joy helps to compile them all in one place so it is easy to refer to when you’re feeling down. These can be little things, such as using your favorite coffee mug, writing the list with your favorite pen, visiting your favorite park, or talking to a friend. It doesn’t matter if other people don’t find joy in these things if you do!

6. Find Something to Look Forward to

Now that you’ve made a list of things that bring you joy, you may want to find other things to look forward to. Consider trying a new hobby or returning to an old one you used to enjoy. These don’t have to take up much time throughout your week, but can serve as a way to minimize some stress and allow you to feel happy in the present moment.

7. Schedule Time for Fun

Knowing that you have something scheduled that you enjoy–whether an event or not–gives you the motivation to keep pushing through the things you don’t quite enjoy. This is a great way to overcome the feeling of needing to attend a large event to feel happy. You will notice the more often you schedule in joy and fun, the more your overall mood and quality of life will improve.

Final Thoughts

Post-concert depression can impact you negatively, but there are ways to cope. While every concert experience is different, there are ways to experience joy and happiness in life until the next one! In the meantime, you can practice healthy coping skills for overcoming any residual symptoms. If you feel that you need additional support and would like to talk to someone, you can learn how to find an online therapist, check out an online therapist directory, or ask for a referral to a mental health professional from a loved one or doctor.