by Mia Zarrella, Entertainment Contributor
School is picking up the pace. Your work load is in full-bloom. There’s trouble in paradise with your significant other. And because of all of this, you’re stress-eating more and sleeping less.
Stress is difficult. It’s like a messy room. Before it gets better it has to get worse, so before you relieve yourself of your life struggles, you have to take them head-on, and that means immersing yourself in your problems.
However, it does not have to be excruciating. When you clean your room, you put on music to pass the time, which makes it a little more fun. So when you want to alleviate some stress and make dealing with it a little less painful: play some music.
It should be something not high-energy, but not depressing either. It should be easy to listen to. It should be a familiar song with a positive connotation. Don’t play “Skinny Love” by Bon Iver if you cried to it before, instead opt for another of his calming tunes.
Go ahead and start your playlist off with Ed Sheeran’s “I’m a Mess.”
Then listen to Jack Johnson’s “Breakdown,” but put on “Banana Pancakes” and “Better Together” afterwards. They are lively, easy to listen to, and inspire sunny thoughts like sitting on a porch in a big rocking chair, or having cozy, rainy days. A good follow-up song if you’re still melancholy is “Brighter than Sunshine” by Aqualung.
John Mayer is another artist with soothing, low-key grooving music. Start off with “Free Fallin’” and “Waiting on the World to Change,” then make your way through any others.
Frank Ocean is an artist of unrivaled chill. “Thinkin Bout You,” “Sweet Life,” “Novacane,” and “Super Rich Kids” are all appropriate songs for your “decompress playlist.” Though it is hip hop, it’s more relaxed and easy to listen to than most songs of the genre.
“Dark Times” combines the gloomy vibes of The Weeknd with Ed Sheeran’s folky pop vocals. Their collaboration birthed an eerie but oddly inspiring song—reminding you that you’re not alone in your dark hour.
Okay, but now it is time to get to work on that essay you’ve been procrastinating on. Turn on Hozier’s “Work Song” and get grinding. When you finish it: “New Soul” by Yael Naim.
The repetition, chronological lyrics, and steady beat of “1234” by Feist, makes it another great song to put on while doing work.
“Big Jet Plane” by Angus & Julia Stone is perfect if you’re still feeling tense. There is an intimate quality to the singing that feels like Angus and Julia are whispering the lyrics into your ear. The song hugs you. When Angus sings the lyric, “gonna take you away from harm,” you believe him.
Iron & Wine’s song “Naked As We Came” is like the feeling of walking barefoot over lush grass, or spreading butter on toasted bread. It’s sweet, soothing, and always over too soon, but it will clear your mind and ease your stresses.
A Great Big World’s “Shorty Don’t Wait” is like a song written by your best friend. It is musical advice that you should take. While you’re taking that advice, “take that weigh up off your shoulders.”
Next put on Vance Joy’s “Georgia,” and let Joy’s sweet lyrics and kind voice give you an encouraging pat on the back. Then play James Bay’s “Let it Go.” It says it in the title.
Music is medicine. It can heal the soul, ease the mind, and boost any mood. Stress is difficult to avoid, but it doesn’t have to be difficult to overcome. Turn on your Rdio, take a deep breath, listen to the music, and defeat your stress.
