While winter is a beautiful season at times, it has a reputation for being difficult on mental health. 

The conversation around mental health has shifted in the last few years to emphasize the importance of self-care. I am a big believer that we should find ways to practice it several times a day. For example, my daily self-care activities include journaling, writing creatively, meditating, taking care of my skin, and going for walks. 

One of the easiest ways to take care of myself is through listening to music. Music helps us find joy in everyday life, and anyone who knows me knows that music is something I really love. I choose to use music to make wintertime easier on my mind and spirit.

No matter what you’re feeling this winter, there is a song for it. Here are some tracks to make the most of this season, based on a few different moods and activities.

Appreciating Friends

“In My Life” – The Beatles

I listen to this song often when I journal because it helps me reflect on the important people in my life.

“invisible string” – Taylor Swift

Yeah, she probably wrote this song about Joe Alwyn, but I’m assigning it my own personal meaning. Some friendships in my life are so special that it’s almost like there was an invisible string guiding me to them.

“Making Breakfast” – Twin Peaks

Again, this song falls into the category of “might be about a relationship.” Personally, the lyrics remind me of my friends.

“You’ve Got Me” – The Greeting Committee

The lyrics are kind of obvious here.

“Seventeen” – Sjowgren

When I listen to this song, I always think about my longtime friends and how supportive they’ve been throughout my life.

For Happy Vibes

“Dreaming” – Blondie

No matter what kind of day I’m having, this throwback always lifts my mood.

“That Don’t Impress Me Much” – Shania Twain

I can’t scientifically prove it, but shouting this song in the car, in the shower, or alone in my room gives me a boost of dopamine.

“You’re So Vain” – Carly Simon

See above.

“madhouse” – Matt Maltese

My personal interpretation of this song is that it’s about going for a walk and appreciating all the beautiful houses you see—a great fix for getting out of your head on what might be an emotional holiday.

“Lil Thing” – Knox Fortune

While this song is explicitly about summertime, during the online school year, this was a go-to song for me. I still haven’t outgrown it. 

“Stay the Night” – red 33

At the time of publication, this song has less than 10,000 plays on Spotify, but that should be changed because it’s quite the mood lifter.

Healing

“Violets For Roses” – Lana Del Rey

Circa 2013, I was one of the many middle schoolers who discovered Lana Del Rey through tumblr. Her lyricism has only gotten better since then, and this song about moving on from a relationship highlights this.

“Live Well” – Palace

This song has truly helped me make peace with the past. I can’t recommend it enough.

“Old Friends” – Pinegrove

This has to be one of my favorite songs of all time for the very poetic lyrics and the journey to inner peace depicted in it.

“Pull It Together” – The Greeting Committee

Another Greeting Committee song, I know, but it’s here for a reason—it’s an excellent song  about getting better.

“Vienna” – Billy Joel

I’ve listened to thousands and thousands of songs in my life (maybe too many), but this is probably my number one favorite. Joel’s lyricism speaks to me.

I’m adding “Surf” by Mac Miller as a bonus. He is my favorite artist, and I like to think of this as a great self-love song.

Like many people, music is such an important part of my life. The thing I love the most about it is that it has the power to shift my day, whether that consists of honoring feelings of sadness with Elliott Smith or letting Lana amp up the drama when I write fiction. However you spend your day, I hope you spend it with a sweet soundtrack!