Music heals the mind and the soul, so don’t be afraid to find solace in your playlist!
There are days when all I want to do is lock myself in my room. Sometimes my anxiety is so high I don’t wanna leave my bed. When I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders, all I want to do is hide instead of facing the problem.
On days like this, I often turn to music. I go in my car, roll the windows down and blast my tunes. By the end of the drive, I always feel better.
Here are some of the songs I listen to when I need a mood boost.
1. “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac
This is probably one of my favorite songs of all time. Other than my love for Stevie Nicks, “Landslide” brings me so much joy and love. On my really bad days, Stevie’s lyrics remind me that no matter where I am in my journey, things will always get better.
“Well, I've been afraid of changin'/ 'Cause I've built my life around you/ But time makes you bolder/ Even children get older/ And I'm getting older too.”
I’ve always been afraid of change, even when I was little. I’d cry at the smallest shifts in my life: a tree getting cut down, moving, having a new teacher at school. There was always something that freaked me out, but these lyrics remind me to ground myself and stay hopeful. Even on tough mental health days, I’m reminded of how far I’ve come from my challenges. As time passes, we heal and reform for the better.
If you’re ever feeling stuck, I highly recommend playing “Landslide.” Even if the lyrics don’t bring you peace, the smooth melody will.
2. “Fine Line” by Harry Styles
I love listening to this one on a daily basis but, especially on my bad days. Harry’s hidden message promotes a healthy relationship with the self—a relationship we all need to value. When listening to this masterpiece, I’m reminded to find the fine line in the love between me, myself, and I.
3. “Take on the World” by You Me At Six
This song is my go-to when I’m feeling alone in my mental health battles. The melody and lyrics bring me a comfort I’ve never felt listening to any other song, mostly since this song emphasizes having a support system.
“And just say the word/ We'll take on the world/ And just say you're hurt/ We'll face the worst.”
The people in my life always strive to fight alongside me no matter the circumstances, and they have truly helped me find my power and take on the world.
4. “Stuck In My Head” by Blu Eyes
On the days when my anxiety spirals, I often feel like I’m the only person who’s facing never-ending thoughts. I’m someone who can’t stay at home and do nothing. My life is a constant cycle of go go go. Staying busy doesn’t give me time to sit and overthink. I’m often so stuck in my head that it affects everything in my life. This is a battle I thought I was fighting alone, but after hearing the chorus of this song, I realized I wasn’t:
“Is it normal/ The way I can't help second guessing/ Is it normal/ Wishing I could put my thoughts to bed/ And be in the moment/ For just a moment/ Cuz it feels like I'm always somewhere else instead/ Is it normal/ How I get stuck in my head.”
I always thought this way of thinking was abnormal, but so many people are battling anxiety every day, and “Stuck In My Head” helps listeners know that we are not alone.
5. “Save Myself” by Ed Sheeran
Warning: this one’s a tear-jerker.
I'm a huge people pleaser and I often find myself slipping into old habits, but in “Save Myself,” Ed Sheeran expresses the importance of putting yourself first. Yes, it’s important to care for others. But we’re of no assistance to others if we can’t help ourselves first.
“So before I save someone else/ I've got to save myself”
Self-care isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. We need to actively make an effort to put ourselves first!
6. “Invisible” by Hunter Hayes
This one’s also a bit of a tear-jerker. Hunter uses the song to remind us that no matter what we’re going through, one day all our pain will be invisible.
It’s difficult to think we’ll overcome our hardships, but time heals all wounds—and so can music (for me at least).
So go in your car, shower, or room. Blast some music to soothe your soul and sing your heart out.
~trust the good vibes and spread all the love,
Soph