Most people are well aware that anxiety can be a monster. For those who struggle with it often, it can affect motivation, productivity, creativity, mood, sleep schedule, diet and all those other parts of life you don't want changed so suddenly. While everyone has their own unique set of coping mechanisms for their own unique type of anxiety, I wanted to compile a list of songs (with help from a friend and some lovely YouTube channels) that can focus and calm the mind when anxiety becomes too much to handle. Add these to your playlist to help with that end of summer panic.
1. “Follow Me”- Uncle Kracker
This song is nostalgic for me. It's also extremely comforting and sounds like a lullaby.
2. “With or Without You”- U2
3. “Memo”- Years & Years
If you haven't checked out Years & Years, you have to. They're an electronic alternative band in the UK. A lot of their songs are faster-paced, but some are low-key like this one.
4. “Midnight City”- M83
5. "Angels"- Owl City
6. “How I Became the Sea”- Owl City
7. "Saltwater Room"- Owl City
Adam Young really does have a soothing voice, and I'm a big fan, if you can't tell. He has so many wonderful songs besides “Fireflies.” When he was starting out, he did other side projects of lyricless music as well, such as Insect Airport and Port Blue.
8. “Wide Awake”- Vindata
9. “Jack Sparrow”- Unlike Pluto
Yes, half the reason I chose this one was because the name, which is shared by a certain captain in a film franchise.
10. “Ghost”- Sir Sly
11. Pretty much anything by Oh Wonder
Especially “Heart Hope,” “Landslide" and this one, "Without You." These two have such a poignant way of singing, you can’t help but sit and listen.
12. “Downtown”- Majical Cloudz
13. “Quiet”- Lights
14. “Limnos”- Koda
15. “Hands”- Koda
16. “Sailing Again”- Joe Mendick & Kyle Selig
17. “Cristofori’s Dream”- David Lanz
18. Chillstep mixes
Search this phrase on YouTube, and you get hour-long compilations of beautiful music. They’re also great for focusing on assignments since they usually have little to no lyrics.
19. “Boy With a Coin”- Iron And Wine
20. “Your Song”- Ellie Goulding
Ellie Goulding's voice makes for a great cover of Elton John's famous tune.
Happy listening!
