Wellness Playlists
As a music therapist, it’s no surprise that I enjoy listening to music. Whether I’m driving to work or making dinner, I almost always have music playing in the background regardless of what I’m doing. Safe to say that I haven’t gotten tired of it yet! In addition to my usual music listening habits, I’ve recently started trying a new method of intentional music listening, which is creating theme-based or emotion playlists, or as I like to call them, wellness playlists!
Intentional Music Listening
Music can be a powerful thing, as many of us may know. Music can help change our mood, help us release certain emotions, and give us a sense of empowerment that we didn’t know we needed. Have you ever made a “sad playlist” of sad songs you listen to but actually help make you feel better? Or maybe a go-to workout playlist with upbeat, fast songs to help motivate yourself to grind it out at the gym? If so, then you’ve got the basic idea! Intentional music listening and noticing certain thoughts or feelings that result from a song is a great way to practice mindfulness while listening to music. To do this, allow yourself to bring awareness to your physical and emotional responses to the music. Do the lyrics remind you of a tough time from your past? Does the beat give you a sense of excitement that makes your heart rate increase? Asking yourself these types of questions can help you put your focus fully on yourself while also connecting with music you enjoy as well.
Once you’ve gone and figured that out, you can take it a step further by organizing the songs into specific playlists. Creating these theme based or emotion playlists based on your responses to the music can be a great way to meet your emotional needs through music.
My Playlists
Down below are a few examples of songs that personally help me and how I organize them into theme based playlists. These are only a few examples of the many ways you can organize your songs to enhance your music listening experience. Feel free to check them out, and maybe you’ll find one to add to one of your wellness playlists!
Songs that give me comfort:
Songs that make me happy:
Songs that help me release emotions:
Songs that give me energy:
Intentional music listening can be a great tool we can use for our own healing experience. It can help us keep going during tough times, give us a sense of peace and commonality, and challenge our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. So, the next time you pull up your music listening app to play a song, consider thinking about how that song can support your own mindfulness practice and overall wellness.
Happy listening! :)