Every day this week, I am exploring my MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID KIT with you. Today is all about songs that are positive or uplifting….or in my own case, songs that I can cope with on a day when I feel I am close to cracking up. I love music, especially uplifting music (top of the list Whitney Huston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”). But on a really rain day, there is other music that would be more effective at soothing me.
I am a human – that means I am capable of a whole range of emotions. I do not live on Cloud Nine all the time. I enjoy very happy days, but I get tired too, especially after being on my feet for twelve hours and dealing with demanding patients at work. I can be a little grumpy. I can also have times when traumatic memories cloud my mind and create challenges for me.
Although I am secure and confident, every now and then flash of anxiety will run through my mind – what if I lose someone I love? what if I made a serious mistake at work and lost my job? what if my little nest was flooded? Those flashes don’t last long, because I know only too well that it is not worthwhile worrying about things that have not happened yet or may never happen at all.
But on days when I do feel downhearted or fed up, music can be a very powerful way to lift my spirits. I think generally speaking….when my spirits are low, I prefer to listen to music that is fairly calm and reflective, but infuses something very heartwarming to me. I am going to give you some examples of songs that I would turn to to lift me and make me feel a renewed sense of purpose. (These songs work for me…but they are unlikely not work for you. You will find songs that reach you on a personal level – and stash those tracks for rainy days! But are there songs that will lift your heart?)
I have found that the song “Yours” by Ella Henderson reminds me so much of the blessings I have in my life right now. Actually, the simplicity of this arrangement and these lyrics – they make tears stream down my eyes…which I love sometimes. I know it may sound silly, but it makes me feel better.
When I am feeling fragile, I actually draw some comfort from being reminded that I am not the only one. I love this track “Unsteady” from X Ambassadors because it captures that feeling of “I know I am not really ok right now, and I need some reassurance from someone who knows me”.
Another song that captures a low patch so well for me is “Numb” from Max Jury. I love this acoustic version because sometimes when feeling low, I feel so feeble, I cannot cope with anything too intense. This is so mellow and sedate, it suits me when I am so exhausted I feel ready to curl up in a little ball and hibernate until spring.
I have one more to mention. I love the track “Not Today” from Imagine Dragons, and I found am animated video that has a tree with a love heart with J&M carved on it – which could be Jack and Melody, don’t you think?
But there are also upbeat, positive tunes that help me too. In fact, I prepared a post all about some of the upbeat tunes that make me want to jump up and start dancing! This is the post – with examples of music that makes my spirits soar!!
Caramel 