20 Songs People Listen to When Anxiety Keeps Them Up at Night

Anxious thoughts seem to pop up at the most inopportune moments — like when you’re settling into bed, trying to fall asleep. (Really, brain? We couldn’t have had this conversation a couple of hours ago?) When this happens, we look for ways to calm those thoughts. Sometimes that means opening a book or trying a breathing meditation, and other times it means reaching for our headphones and playing our favorite soothing songs.

We asked Mighty readers on Facebook for the songs they listen to when anxiety keeps them up at night. Here’s a sampling of what they suggested. A Spotify playlist is at the end.

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1. “Invincible,” Kelly Clarkson

“I can take on so much more than I had ever dreamed…”

2. “Keep Your Head Up,” Andy Grammar

“You gotta keep your head up, oh, and you can let your hair down…”

3. “Brave,” Sara Bareilles

“Maybe there’s a way out of the cage where you live. Maybe one of these days you can let the light in.”

4. “Fight Song,” Rachel Platten

“This is my fight song, take back my life song, prove I’m all right song…”

5. “Swim,” Jack’s Mannequin

“When you’re not so sure you’ll survive, you gotta swim.”

6. “Diamonds,” Johnnyswim

“We are the brave…”

7. “Chandelier,” Sia

“I’m gonna fly like a bird through the night, feel my tears as they dry.”

8. “Warrior,” Demi Lovato

“I’m a warrior, I’m stronger than I’ve ever been…”

9. “I Won’t Give Up,” Jason Mraz

“I am tough, I am loved…”

10. “Breathe (2 A.M.),” Anna Nalick

“Just breathe.”

11. “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” John Denver

“Country roads, take me home to the place I belong.”

12. “Three Little Birds,” Bob Marley & The Wailers

“Don’t worry about a thing, ‘cause every little thing will be all right…”

13. “All Will Be Well,” The Gabe Dixon Band

“All will be well, even though sometimes this is hard to tell…”

14. “Desperado,” The Eagles

“It may be rainin’, but there’s a rainbow above you.”

15. “Blowin’ in the Wind,” Bob Dylan

“The answer my friend is blowin’ in the wind.”

16. “Little Balloon,” Jenny & Tyler

“No one is able to steal what is in your hands.”

17. “What a Wonderful World,” performed by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

“And I think to myself, what a wonderful world…”

18. “Boat Song,” JJ Heller

“If you were afraid, my darling, afraid, my darling, I’d be the courage you lack…”

19. “One Call Away,” Charlie Puth

“I’m only one call away. I’ll be there to save the day. Superman got nothing on me…”

20. “Such Great Heights,” performed by Iron & Wine

“I hope this song will guide you home.”

Editor’s note: Not everyone experiences anxiety in the same way. These answers are based on individuals’ experiences.

What’s your go-to song to listen to when you’re feeling anxious at night? Add it to the comments section below.