The Power of Playlists: How compiling music can improve your emotional state

There has been an increasing focus on mental well-being, and music has been taking a rising role in enhancing emotional health. Creating playlists is one of the more mundane ways one can use music as a way to prevent stress and mental health issues in their everyday lives, but how do you start to make powerful playlists? How do they foster positive emotion? Here’s how to start and compile music, tailored to your mental needs.

1. Assess your emotional state and understand your needs

Are you feeling anxious? Stressed? Sad? When you’re most aware of your mental state, it is the best time to begin looking for music to begin a playlist. Different kinds of music evoke different moods, so it’s beneficial to create a playlist that reflects a specific emotion or feeling that you are experiencing at one time. For example, if you are feeling anxious, you should curate a playlist with soothing music that can calm your nerves. If you’re feeling unmotivated, you can make a playlist with music that is upbeat and can help with your motivation. Being aware of your emotions can go a long way in helping you make playlists.

2. Find music for your playlists

Now, how do you find music for your playlist? Streaming platforms like Apple Music and Spotify can give you music recommendations from their curated playlists and personalized recommendations. You can create custom playlists from these compilations based on your personal preferences. You can also use apps like Calm, Insight Timer, or Headspace to provide mood specific music for your playlist preferences. Using social media such as Instagram, Tiktok, or Youtube can also provide more mood-specific music; these platforms are incredibly versatile!

3. Build your playlist

Combine the steps discussed above! Building a playlist for mental health isn't just about choosing songs you like; it’s about selecting music that aligns with your emotional needs and helps guide you toward the mood you want to achieve. Below are some examples of types of music suited for different emotional needs:

Stress Relief: Classical, ambient, or nature sounds (artists include Ludovico Einaudi, Johann Sebastian Bach, Brian Eno, sounds of the rainforest, etc.)

Motivation: Energetic pop or rock music (artists include Queen, The Weeknd, Journey, Ariana Grande, Dua Lipa, and indie rock/pop artists such as Beabadoobee and Clairo.)

Relaxation: Acoustic music, jazz, lofi (artists include Ella Fitzgerald, Laufey, Miles Davis, John Mayer, or LoFi beats on Youtube/Spotify.)

4. Consider tempo

You should also consider tempo when you create your playlists. Slow tempos generally have a calming effect, helping lower heart rate and blood pressure. These are ideal for relaxing or when you need to manage stress. On the contrary, fast tempos tend to be more stimulating, triggering the release of adrenaline and making you feel energized, which is great when you need motivation or a mood lift.

5. Lyrics or instrumental music?

Instrumental music and music with lyrics can also have different therapeutic effects. Instrumentals (without lyrics) allows your brain to focus more on the music itself rather than the story or message in the lyrics. This is particularly helpful if you’re trying to clear your mind, meditate, or focus. Lyrical music can either uplift or trigger emotions depending on the lyrics. Positive, uplifting lyrics can inspire you, while sad or melancholic lyrics may resonate with deep emotions, helping you process them. However, be cautious of overly sad or negative lyrics when you’re already sad, since it can exacerbate the damage to your emotional state.

6. Conclusion + Final Tips

Balancing different genres and emotional tones within a playlist can make it more versatile and effective, and mixing genres and feelings up creates a dynamic experience, allowing you to navigate different emotional needs throughout the day. Adding a personal touch to your playlist can also make it even more effective in supporting your mental health. Including songs that hold personal meaning, evoke memories and nostalgia, or are simply your favorite tracks can provide a deeper emotional connection, which is key for one’s mood enhancement. Whether it’s calming down, building energy, or finding comfort, your playlist can become an invaluable tool for managing and improving your mental health.