5 Ways Music Helps Me Manage Anxiety

Dear friend,

When I tell you that I'm obsessed with music... Like, I'm OBSESSED! It's not even funny how much I love it.

I'm talking about the kind of love where the right song comes on and suddenly everything just... makes sense.

For me, music isn't background noise. It's a sort of therapy.

Mariah Carey is my queen (we'll get to that). Prince makes my soul happy. Brandy's voice is pure magic. Michael Jackson never misses. Jay-Z can make me feel like I can conquer anything. My "top musical talents" could go on for days, but those are my ride-or-dies. For sure.

Naturally, loving music this much means I sing. A lot. Do I sound good? Absolutely not. My voice is definitely not doing anyone any favors, but don't think I let that stop me! Because for me, perfect pitch is the furthest from my mind when what I really need is to feel something.

So let me share why music is one form of therapy for me, my happy place, and my secret weapon for getting through life. Maybe you'll see yourself in some of these too.

5 Ways Music Calms My Anxiety

1. It Gives Me Energy When I Have None

You know those mornings when you just cannot? When getting out of bed feels impossible and your to-do list is laughing at you?

That's when I need my upbeat playlist to save me.

There's something about a song with a good beat that just shifts everything. I'll throw on some Jay-Z or MJ, and suddenly I'm like, okay, I can actually do this. It's like the music wakes up something in my body that was still asleep.

Those feel-good vibes hit different when you need that extra push.

Next time you're dragging, try it. Put on whatever makes you feel unstoppable and see what happens.

2. It Calms Me Down Better Than Anything

Honestly, when life gets too loud and my brain won't stop spinning, there's one song that always brings me back.

Purple Rain.

Every single time.

I don't know what Prince put in that song, but it works. It just washes over me and suddenly I can breathe again. Music zens me out better than anything, and I mean ANYTHING. That's the power of the right song at the right moment. It's like a reset button.

It's Purple Rain for me and maybe something else for you, but we all need that one track that just gets us.

I only want to see you bathing in the purple rain ~Prince

Find yours and keep it close.

3. It Opens Up My Creativity

When I'm trying to write or work through something and my brain feels stuck, music is what unlocks it.

I've written some of my favorite blog posts with Brandy playing in the background. It's like the rhythm opens up something that was waiting to come out.

There's something about melody and beat that speaks to a different part of your brain. It doesn't have to make sense - music just does its thing.

So if you're feeling blocked, don't force it. Put on your favorite playlist and let it work.

4. It Holds Space for All My Feelings

Can we talk about Mariah Carey's "Close My Eyes" for a second?

That song is everything to me. It's my favorite song of all time, it has carried me through some things.

Sometimes you need a song that just gets it. That understands exactly what you're feeling when you can't find the words yourself.

Music does that - it holds space for all your emotions. The good ones and the messy ones. Happy, sad, frustrated, confused, hopeful - there's a song for every single feeling.

And honestly, sometimes you just need to cry to a beautiful song, or sing at the top of your lungs (off-key and all), or sit quietly and let the music say what you can't.

That's not weird. That's healing.

5. It Shifts My Whole Mood

Music is the fastest mood-shifter I know.

I don't know about you, but I hate grocery shopping. Partly because I had my first panic attack (over 2 decades ago) in a grocery store, so as you can imagine, it's a huge anxiety trigger for me.

One way I work through it is to bring along my Powerbeats earphones (I am NOT an Apple girl so, no, I do not have AirPods) and play music.

Sometimes though, the store provides my soundtrack and I love when that happens. They usually play hits from the 90s like The Jets, Red Hot Chili Peppers, MJ - and suddenly I'm like "anxiety, where?"

Oh how I love those moments. They help me remember that life is actually pretty beautiful.

That's why I keep my favorites on rotation - plus others like Beyoncé, Maren Morris, and tons of 90s and 2000s hip hop/R&B. They're not just entertainment for me. They're my mood boosters, my emotional support system, my reminder that there's always something good to hold onto. That's why I never underestimate the power of pressing play

So when you need a pick-me-up, don't underestimate turning up the volume and having your own little concert. Dance around your living room. Sing in your car at the top of your lungs.

Let the music remind you that joy is always available.

Here's What I Want You to Remember

Music is so much more than background noise. It's medicine. It's therapy. It's that friend who always knows exactly what to say.....or sing.

Need more energy? to find your calm? creative inspo? or just a reason to smile? There's a song waiting for you.

And listen, you don't have to be a good singer to love music. Trust me on this one. You just have to be willing to feel it, let it move you, and let it work it's magic.

So go ahead. Hit play on whatever makes your soul happy. Turn it up loud. Sing off-key. Dance like nobody's watching.

Because music? Music is one of the most beautiful gifts we have.

And with the right song, there's always a little more beauty, joy, and positivity to be found.

Until next time,

P.S. P.S. If you'd like to keep exploring today's topic, this free printable pairs beautifully with this post.

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Todays Reflection

Take a few moments before you close this page.

Notice

What song feels like coming home to yourself? What is it about that song that settles something inside you?

Explore

Think about a difficult season in your life. Was there a song that became the soundtrack to that chapter? What memories or emotions does it hold for you now?

Carry Forward

Create three playlists you'll actually reach for:

• When my mind is racing

• When I need to begin again

• When I want to protect my joy

What songs belong in each one?

If journaling helps you process your thoughts, try pairing today's reflection with your favorite playlist. Sometimes the combination of music and writing can quiet a racing mind in ways neither could do alone.