What music are you listening to these days?

The same thing has been happening for the last few weeks …

Almost every call or appointment on my calendar is canceled at the last minute. In each case, the person cited “personal reasons” with varying degrees of detail. Honesty seemed refreshing (I’m not alone!) And discouraging (it’s hard for everyone). The truth is, although the schedule changes are frustrating, in almost every case I was relieved. In many ways, we all seem to need comfort that the world does not offer.

But, with deep breaths and hot drinks and occasional walks in the sun, one little thing helped.

Immediately around the election, I made a playlist called “Joyful Day” – a day that was definitely not joyful – in the hopes that I could trick the brain into believing I was feeling good. There are songs like “Don’t stop (Thinkin ‘About Tomorrow) “Fleetwood Mac i”This is Dan“The The, which promise a change on the horizon, along with funny tunes like”Final countdown“By Europe (also known as”that song is played by GOB from Arrested Development when he performs his magic“). I listen to it in the morning while brushing my teeth or drying my hair, and while that doesn’t change my immediate circumstances or circumstances, it injects me with a bit of absurd positivity into the day.

This morning, a friend who received the vaccine sent me a message to say she was listening. “Found a cure, ”Ashford & Simpson, a hopeful anthem for today.

Although we have known it for centuries, research now supports that music has the ability to calm tangled nerves and lift a relaxed spirit. Listening to music (especially classical) can actually affect the body stress response, while upbeat music is sometimes suggested as a way to reduce anxiety and even depression physical pain.

If anything, I feel a little stupid for having gone through this long without creating dedicated playlists for different moods. I turned to music to help me in the long run, stay awake during giant tasks and be in the mood before big events, so why not on a random Tuesday? Quoting Dumbledore, “Ah, music. Magic above all we do here! “Right now I’m going to take all the magic I can get.

To that end, I’d love to hear what music you’re turning to these days. What do you listen to when you need a pickup or to help you calm down? Are there songs that help you feel better?

PS Tiny anchors i what is on your exercise list?

(Photo: Michela Ravasio/ Stocksy.)