12 Playlists for Mental Health

Here.Now.

Here.Now. is a teen-driven Jewish movement to provide support, build connections, increase wellbeing and resilience, and reduce stigma around mental health. Made possible by UJA-Federation of New York and The Jewish Board.

Music can be used as a coping mechanism to help reduce stress. Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed or upset, I always look up a playlist that fits my present mood, I click play, and within a few minutes, I feel a positive effect. For those of you that may have trouble finding the right playlist — or don’t know how to get started with using music as a way to process your feelings — here are five oddly specific playlists to get you going.

Playlist 1: Got in a Fight With Your Parents? Cool Down.

1. Let it Go (James Bay)
2. Radio Silence (James Blake)
3. Love Yourself (Justin Bieber) 
4. Adorn (Miguel)
5. The Cave (Mumford and Sons)

Playlist 2: Need Help Counting Sheep? We’ll Help You Fall Asleep!

1.  Intermezzo (Levi Stills)
2.  Gone (Gavin Luke)
3.  Pillow (Henrietta Kuipers)
4.  All is Good (Jon E Amber)
5. Between Moments (Rand Aldo)

Playlist 3: Got Writer’s Block? Motivate!

1.  You Found Me (The Fray)
2.  Ride (Twenty One Pilots)
3.  The Hills (The Weeknd)
4.  Stereo Hearts (Gym Class Heroes)
5. Day ‘N’ Nite (Kid Cuti)

Playlist 4: Big Test? Pump Up!

1.  When I Grow Up (The Pussycat Dolls)
2.  7/11 (Beyonce)
3.  Mr. Brightside (The Killers)
4.  Stronger (Kanye West)
5. The Greatest Show (Hugh Jackman, Keala Settle, Zac Efron and Zendaya)

Playlist 5: Feeling Insecure? Not Anymore!

1. Love Myself (Hailee Steinfeld)
2. This Could be Us (Rae Sremmurd)
3. Dangerous Woman (Ariana Grande)
4. Confident (Demi Lovato)
5. Move Along (The All-American Rejects)

These songs work for me and are only my suggestions — they might not be the perfect fit for you. If any of you have playlist requests, tag us on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and we’ll create a playlist and tag you! Or make your own and tag us to show us your creation. 

Also, check out Chloe Werner’s playlists!

Playlist 1: Embrace Your Inner Happiness 

1.  Walking on Sunshine (Katrina and the Waves)
2.  Come on Eileen (Dexys Midnight Runners)
3.  Reach (S Club 7)
4.  Take a Chance on Me (ABBA)
5.  If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out (Cat Stevens)
6. Upside Down (Jack Johnson)

Playlist 2: Basking in Your Feels? That’s OK!

1. I Saw Her Face for the First Time (Dr. Dog)
2. Try to Remember (The Brothers Four)
3. ATTENTION (Joji)
4. Sleepwalking (Modest Mouse)
5. World Gone Mad (Bastille)

Playlist 3: Turn that Frown Upside Down

1.  I Found a Reason (The Velvet Underground)
2.  Thrown the Fear (Tom Rosenthal)
3.  Waterfalls (TLC)
4.  Someone to You (BANNERS)
5.  Streetlights (Boxing at the Zoo)

Playlist 4: I Don’t Need No Man

1.  Shoop (Salt-N-Pepa)
2.  Cell Block Tango (Chicago Cast Recording)
3.  Tears (Clean Bandit)
4.  No Scrubs (TLC)
5.  Take Me as I Am (Rina Sawayama)
6.  Too Little, Too Late (Jojo)
7. Toy (Netta)

Playlist 5: Kinda Anxious, Kinda Peaceful ( A Little of This, A Little of That)

1.  Rhiannon (Fleetwood Mac)
2.  Eyes (Rogue Wave)
3.  The Chain (Ingrid Michaelson)
4.  The 59th Street Bridge Song (Simon & Garfunkel)
5.  Michelle (The Beatles)
6. Call it Fate, Call it Karma (The Strokes)

Playlist 6: Maybe I’m in Love

1.  1950 (King Princess)
2.  Can’t Take My Eyes Off You (Frankie Valli)
3.  Be My Baby (The Ronettes)
4.   I Love You So (The Walters)
5.  You Make My Dreams (Hall & Oates)

Playlist 7: Just a Pumped Up Teen

1.  Holding Out For a Hero (Bonnie Tyler)
2.  Woman (Ke$ha)
3.  Pon de Replay (Rihanna)
4.  Burn the House Down (AJR)
5. Mutant Brain (Sam Spiegel)