With the ending of spring break and the beginning of a new quarter, many of us are being snapped back into endless mountains of work and responsibilities. For me these responsibilities can leave me feeling overwhelmed and anxious, which makes it harder to tackle things. One helpful way to calm this feeling of anxiety is through music. That is why I am going to recommend some of my favorite songs to help you calm your anxiety!
1. “Anxiety” by Megan Thee Stallion
Anxiety is a great track because it’s fun and also makes the topic of anxiety feel relatable. It shows us that everyone struggles with feeling anxious even if sometimes it’s not obvious. Even the people that seem the most successful and put together have their struggles. It’s normal to feel anxious from time to time, and this song really emphasizes that.
2. “Summer Girl” by HAIM
This is a great anxiety reducing song as it is all about love, summer, and sunshine. HAIM does a great job of creating a relaxing vibe on this track to make listeners feel good. This song has a very low key beat with a subtle saxophone that screams relaxation. It reminds me of a hot summer day driving down to the beach with your friends, and what is more calming than that?
3. “Evermore” by Taylor Swift (feat. Bon Iver)
Both the Evermore and Folklore albums discuss many difficult topics such as heartbreak, betrayal, and mental health. Evermore is a song that touches on mental health by putting a positive spin on the different anxieties we all face. In this song Swift describes many tough things she’s had to face, however she finds hope in the fact that these terrible feelings won’t last forever. She ends the song with the lyric: “and I couldn’t be sure, I had a feeling so peculiar, this pain wouldn’t be for Evermore.” The relaxing piano along with the hopeful lyrics make for a great anxiety reducing track!
4. “Still Beating” by Mac Demarco
This is yet another song about love and it is a great track to relax to. The guitar chords encompass the chill and relaxing feeling that many of us crave when feeling anxious. The beat of this song brings to life what it feels like to take a walk on a sunny day, and might serve as an aid to forget about your problems for at least three minutes.
5. “Upside Down” by Jack Johnson
If you’re anything like me you may have first heard this song while watching the classic, hilarious, feel good movie, “Curious George”. This song reminds me of being a curious and carefree little girl, not worried about anything that comes my way. Listening to this song while soaking in some sunlight is bound to do wonders for your mental health. I highly recommend this track if you need to escape reality for a little while.
I hope these songs can bring you some relief if you’re feeling anxious about this new quarter. Even if these songs are not your cup of tea, listening to your favorite songs are likely to bring you comfort during difficult times. Remember all anxious feelings will pass!