Music To Save Your Sanity

Music is a force of nature. It connects us, moves us, and helps us understand ourselves. Many of the songs chosen for this playlist come from shows or movies that are special to me. Although most of these songs are derived from other media there is no need for you to have seen the movies or even enjoy the same genres to connect with the tone of this collection. I chose these songs because they work together to create a serene vibe and promote creativity or self-reflection.

If you use Spotify you can check out my playlist HERE. (unfortunately, it is out of order as I was not able to reorganize the songs)

Full playlist on YouTube :

This list is one hour long to remind you to take a break at least once per hour to stretch and take care of yourself.

Some of these songs feature lyrics in Japanese. Though I don't understand the language, I find it to be beautiful without clouding or distracting my thoughts. If you prefer working to playlists that feature more lyrical songs I recommend trying a playlist in a language you don't know. The language barrier helps you appreciate the beauty of a vocalist while preventing you from becoming distracted by the content.

There is something intrinsically soothing about lo-fi. In combination with our favourite musical masterpieces, it hits a zen sweet spot! Lo-fi features blurred vocal tones which help us tune out lyrical distractions and focus on the melody. The combination of music we know and love with a new twist promotes creative thought. Changing our perspective and broadening our artistic experience is an uplifting spiritual practice.

I chose several tracks from the movie Your Name. These melodies are light and soft to promote relaxation. The added benefit for fans of the movie is the gorgeous scenery these songs bring to mind. Brightly coloured sunsets, rainbow comets, and the magic of golden hour will settle peacefully in your mind.

Joe Hisaishi’s music fills my mind with the beautiful scenes of Hayao Miyazaki’s fantastical world. Studio Ghibli films hold a special place in my heart and having the melodies flow around me fills me with a sense of ease while I work or take time for self-care. Even if you're not a fan of films such as Howl's Moving Castle or Spirited Away the serene music will relax your spirit without distracting your mind during work times.

I included Jeremy Tai’s cello cover of Legend of Korra because it is beautiful and serene. Jeremy mixed 8 separate recordings of himself playing cello to create this work of art and it feels even more inspiring knowing how much time and love went into his rendition.

Here comes a thought is a remix from Steven Universe. This song made the list because it reminds me to allow negative or intrusive thoughts to pass by without letting them take hold and overwhelm me. The lyrics give me a sense of hope and strength.

Celestial Aeon Project’s Celtic cover of Everything Stays is hauntingly beautiful. The original song was created for the cartoon Adventure Time and has since taken up residence in many hearts.

The final song choice for this list is Coffee for your head (death bed). Its soft tone guides you back to the real world. It is a reminder to take a break, stretch or get a drink, but not to stay away for too long. It reminds us to come back to our creative space or make time to relax and settle our minds when things become overwhelming. Although the song's content is not entirely on point for the vibe of this list the repeated lines work as a soothing reminder.

Don't stay awake for too long, don't go to bed

I'll make a cup of coffee for your head

It'll get you up and going out of bed

It makes a great wake-up song for your morning routine as well. The reminder to stay awake, get some coffee, and start your day is the first step to being ready for anything the world can throw at us!