24 Songs to Help Relax an Anxious Mind

Music is a huge part of my life. I’ve been brought up listening to all types of music, from The Beatles to Queen, Supertramp to Pink Floyd, Frankie Valli to del Shannon and Spice Girls to Take That. My parents and grandparents love music, and I’ve grown up loving music. I go nowhere without my earphones, and I have playlists for pretty much any mood or occasion. My friend calls me her little jukebox because I love music so much.

I have a playlist of songs I find calming and soothing when I’m in an anxious mood. Songs that can instantly make me feel better or songs that can just make me feel. So I thought I’d share some of the songs that help me through tough times.

1. “Promise” by Ben Howard

2. “Morning” by Beck

3. “5 AM” by Amber Run

4. “Dreamer” by Isbells

5. “Until We Get There” by Lucius

6. “Stay Alive” by Jose Gonzalez

7. “Cycling Trivialities” by Jose Gonzalez

8. “Roslyn” by Bon Iver &St. Vincent

9. “Under My Arrest” by Fossil Collective

10. “The Paper Kites” by St. Clarity

11. “Ours” by The Bravery

12. “A White Demon Love Song” by The Killers

13. “The Violet Hour” by Sea Wolf

14. “Goodbye Mr A” by The Hoosiers

15. “Speak Up” by POP ETC

16. “No More Lonely Night” by Paul McCartney

17. “Playing God” by Paramore

18. “Agape” by Bear’s Den

19. “Honest” by Kodaline

20. “Oceans” by Seafret

21. “Logical Song” by Supertramp

22. “Learning to Fly” by Pink Floyd

23. “Rivers Flow In You” by Yiruma

24. “Debussy” by Claire De Lune

*Also, Christmas music never fails to cheer me up!

Ben Howard is one of my favorite artists anyway. I love his music, and I recommend both his albums, “Every Kingdom” and “I Forgot Where We Were” because his music is so soothing. The song “Promise,” has the sound of rain and an instrumental at the beginning before Howard starts singing. I can have this song on repeat all day and never get sick of it. “Conrad” and “Old Pine” are two others I’d recommend listening to as they’re both just as soothing.

Beck is another musician, like Ben Howard, where I can recommend the full album. “Morning Phase” is the album I recommend. I’ll admit, I don’t know any of his other albums so I cannot comment on those, but “Morning Phase” is fantastic. There are some amazing songs on there, ones I can listen to in bed or when I’m out and about. I know these can bring my anxiety level down.

I recently bought Amber Run‘s album “5AM,” and it is amazing. There isn’t a song on there that I dislike. The vocals and the songs are so good. I’ve had it on repeat for weeks now!

Bear’s Den album “Islands” came with a deal when I bought Amber Run’s album. I knew the one song “Agape” before buying it, but I now absolutely love the whole album! “Above The Clouds Of Pompeii” is a lovely song with acoustic guitars and fantastic vocals. I would recommend the album to anyone!

Bon Iver is another musician I found around the same time I found Ben Howard (around 2012). “Skinny Love” would probably be his most famous song, at least it’s the song my friends know, but “Perth” is another song I’d say has to be listened to. The beginning, before he even starts singing and just the music itself, I love it.

A lot of these songs are slower. Some are a bit more upbeat. Yet, they’re just good songs, which I think are nice to relax to. Songs I can enjoy listening to. Songs that aren’t all about sex, drugs and night clubs. Songs that don’t have 10 beats.

These songs have nice musical instruments, acoustic guitars and piano. They have softer music with vocals that aren’t all autotune. These are songs that I, personally, can relax listening to. They take me to a good place, and I love them.