11 Songs to Add to Your Depression Playlist
Can I be honest? I hate journaling. No, I don’t think you quite understand me…I fucking hate journaling. I still do it, begrudgingly, because I know how beneficial it is. In fact, research shows that individuals who journal consistently can experience less stress, improve depression symptoms, increase gratitude, and even help heal small wounds (with just 20 minutes of writing a day). While journaling is a powerful tool, it is not for everyone, including me. My hands cramp up after a while, sometimes I find myself staring out in space thinking about what to write, and I hardly ever go back to read what I have previously written. If anything, simply knowing better does not in fact mean that we do better. Take it from me.
Don’t get me wrong, I still journal have even come up with a few ‘tricks’ to make journaling less daunting (e.g., keeping my journal and a working pen near my bed, setting a 10-minute timer and free writing, or keeping a running note about things that I would like to reflect on) and I still strongly, strongly dislike journaling. You may be asking yourself, “Why keep doing it if you hate it so much?” It’s because I’ve experienced how cathartic journaling can be and I literally feel lighter after I get my thoughts down on paper!
However, journaling isn’t the only way to process our thoughts and feelings and what might work for some may not work for everyone. I also don’t feel good about pushing one way of processing on you. Experiences are not just cognitive (e.g., something that lives within our thoughts), but are “four-dimensional” that can (and should) be processed with all our senses. So, while journaling is an incredible tool (and is backed by decades of research), so is dancing, singing, body tapping, and drawing or creating visual art. One of my favorite ways of processing emotions is by creating and listening to curated playlists that emphasize a particular emotion or experience.
When we intentionally create playlists related to a common theme or experience, we activate brain regions responsible for emotional expression and language control (that might be harder to activate if you have a hard time translating your thoughts into words with journaling). Listening to music can evoke memories and feelings, allowing for reflection and healing and can also reduce stress and anxiety by triggering the brain's reward system, releasing dopamine. Music has been shown to be effective to manage depressive symptoms, boosts self-esteem, and facilitate emotional resilience. So, now that this post has been backed by science, here are 11 songs to jump start your depression playlist.
1. “Cranes in the Sky” – Solange
2. “20 Something” – Sza
3. “**BEEN ABOUT A YEAR**” – Jessie Reyes
4. “Easy on Me” – Adele (or any Adele song, seriously)
5. “Pretty Girl” - Melii
6. “Never Let Me Go” – Florance + The Machine
7. “u” – Kendrick Lamar
8. “Skyscraper” – Demi Lovato
9. “**I NEVER SAID I WAS SANE**” – Jessie Reyes
10. "Hope Is A Dangerous Thing For a Woman Like Me To Have" — Lana Del Rey
11. “What Was I Made For” Billie Eilish
Happy (or melancholy) listening!
About The Author:
Dr. Ruby Rhoden is a New York-based Licensed Psychologist who is dedicated to uplifting women through life changes and challenges, including reproduction. With a deep understanding of the complexities of burnout, Dr. Ruby provides a safe and supportive space for clients to explore their emotions and develop strategies to overcome exhaustion and regain their zest for life. She understands how unhelpful behavior patterns and mental health disorders uniquely impact women and uses evidence-based techniques to usher in sustainable change and relief. Dr. Ruby is dedicated to helping women develop healthier habits and relationships with themselves and their bodies so that they can connect to others and the world around them again. Dr. Ruby studied at Cornell University and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey for her Bachelor's and Doctoral degrees, respectively. In her free time, she enjoys watching reality TV, supporting small businesses, and writing blog posts to remind all women that they are not alone.
