The Songs That Help Me Minimize Night Terrors and Insomnia

I love music. I believe it can help a person through anything. Over the past few years, I have implemented playlists into my daily journal activities to express my feelings. Through playlists and listening to songs relevant to how I am feeling, I am able to process and work through difficult days.

• What is PTSD?

Regardless of how difficult my day has been or how sad the songs on my playlist are, I end each list with songs that give me hope, encouragement and strength for better days to come. This has proved to be extremely helpful in helping me minimize night terrors and insomnia, symptoms that have become very problematic over the past few years.

“Yesterday” and “Let It Be” – The Beatles

When I am experiencing times of sadness or regret I play these songs. Let’s face it, there are days when we just want to cry, and there is nothing wrong with that.

“Bad Day” – Daniel Powter, “Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey, and “What’s Up” – 4 Non Blondes

I can always relate to these three songs no matter what the situation is on a difficult day. All three are about going through a bad time, but they also include hope for better days to come.

“Because of You” – Kelly Clarkson and “The Climb” – Miley Cyrus (more recently also included with these two – “Till It Happens To You” – Lady Gaga)

Self-explanatory but I gravitate to these songs on days when my thoughts surround some of the darkest days of my life. Somehow they not only contribute to the fear and sadness but also give me comfort and strength because I know I am not alone in my struggle.

“Lightning Crashes” – Live, “Big Girls Don’t Cry” – Fergie, “Collide” – Howie Day, “Life Got In The Way” – Sister Hazel, and “Life” – Hinder

Since being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), my personal relationship with my spouse has suffered greatly. Thankfully, we remain together and continue to love each other despite the many obstacles we have encountered.  These songs are ones I play on the more difficult days.

“Wild World” – Cat Stevens, “Best of You” – Foo Fighters, “Faith” – George Michael, “You Are Not Alone” – Lifehouse, “Livin In The Moment” – Jason Mraz, and “Beautiful Soul” – Jesse McCartney

Hard times but hope for the future and the importance of not giving up are what each of these songs represents to me. They are included on days when I need to remind myself  that this is life and everyone experiences difficult days. It is what we do with those days that counts. Regardless of how hopeless I feel, there is always a way through and hope for a better day ahead.

“Let It Hurt” and “Stand” – Rascall Flatts, “Was That My Life,” “Downtime,” “I’m Alright,” “Get Up Again,” “Me,” and “I Like Me” – Jo Dee Messina

Another group of songs that helps me express my feelings and cry when I need to let it all out but that also gives me hope and encouragement to keep going.

“Make Me This Mad” – Lucy Angel,” “What You Get Is What You See” – Tina Turner, “Settlin” – Sugarland, “I Will Survive” – Gloria Gaynor, “Fight Song” – Rachel Platten and “My Life” – Billy Joel

Once I have cried or somehow managed to process the difficult day I have had, I listen to songs from this list. They all allow me to emerge with determination and strength to keep moving forward.

“Crazy Ain’t Original” – Sheryl Crowe and “The World Needs a Drink” – Terri Clark

You know those days when it seems everything goes wrong? You aren’t necessarily sad or really upset with any one thing, just a day when it seems no matter what you do things just are not working out for you. Well, I have these days more often than not, and when I do I find that these two songs incorporate humor and allow me to laugh at the situation and carry on with my day. They also assist me in dealing with frustration I feel when people lack the ability to understand my condition.