When I am anxious or experiencing a panic attack, I have to distract my mind. One of the better ways to do so at work or in the car is by listening to music. Breathing exercises are important too of course, but I do find listening to music to be very effective.

A very long time ago, I made myself a “Feel Better Mix” in iTunes. I still listen to this playlist when I feel out of sorts, anxious or upset. I made this list a few years before my bipolar diagnosis, but if I were to create a “feel better” play list today,  I would probably include the same songs on it. The songs remind me of different parts of my life, good and bad. Some songs have very dark lyrics, but for whatever reason, I took comfort and continue to take comfort in these lyrics.

This is what’s on my playlist:

• 1979 – Smashing Pumpkins
• Mad World – Gary Jules cover
• Heart of Gold- Neil Young
• Simple Man- Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town- Pearl Jam
• Behind Blue Eyes- The Who
• The Scientist- Coldplay
• November Rain- Guns N’ Roses
• Wild Horses- The Rolling Stones
• Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of – U2
• Brick- Ben Folds Five
• The Youth- MGMT
• Everybody Hurts- R.E.M.
• Hard Sun- Eddie Vedder
• Fake Plastic Trees- Radiohead
• How To Be Dead – Snow Patrol

One song, not on my playlist, that has always resonated with me is “You Gotta Be” by Des’ree. This song has great lyrics:

“Listen as your day unfolds
Challenge what the future holds
Try and keep your head up to the sky
Lovers, they may ’cause you tears
Go ahead release your fears
Stand up and be counted
Don’t be ashamed to cry

You gotta be
You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold, you gotta be wiser
You gotta be hard, you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm, you gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day

Herald what your mother said
Read the books your father read
Try to solve the puzzles in your own sweet time
Some may have more cash than you
Others take a different view
My oh my, yea, eh, eh

You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold, you gotta be wiser
You gotta be hard, you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm, you gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day

Time ask no questions, it goes on without you
Leaving you behind if you can’t stand the pace
The world keeps on spinning
Can’t stop it, if you tried to
This best part is danger staring you in the face

Listen as your day unfolds
Challenge what the future holds
Try and keep your head up to the sky
Lovers, they may cause you tears
Go ahead release your fears
My oh my, eh, eh, eh

You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold, you gotta be wiser
You gotta be hard, you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm, you gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day”

I have loved this song since I was 10 or so. I hadn’t heard it in a long time, and one day I was listening to the radio at work and it came on and I just smiled, thinking of how this song made me feel. Funny how songs, like certain memories, stick with you.

Categories: Bipolar Disorder Healthy Minds Canada My Real Opinion

Melanie L.

Mental health advocate. Blogger. Writer. Creative being. Sensitive soul.

(Also law clerk, social media writer/marketer and book worm).