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We all have that one thing that helps us get through our highest moments of anxiety. For me, it’s turning on the radio, pandora or iTunes and singing my favorite songs at the top of my lungs. We know that distraction is one of the best ways to get past a panic attack, so why not distract yourself with some motivational songs? Here are my go-to songs when I’m feeling anxious and I need a little push to get me through the day.
1. “This is Me” by Keala Settle & The Greatest Showman Ensemble
“When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I’m gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
I am brave, I am bruised
I am who I’m meant to be, this is me.”
2. “Unstoppable” by Rascal Flatts
“You find your faith has been lost and shaken
You take back what’s been taken
Get on your knees and dig down deep
You can do what you think is impossible
Keep on believing, don’t give in
It’ll come and make you whole again
It always will, it always does.”
3. “Skyscraper” by Demi Lovato
“Go on and try to tear me down
I will be rising from the ground
Like a skyscraper.”
4. “Roar” by Katy Perry
“I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter
Dancing through the fire
‘Cause I am a champion, and you’re gonna hear me roar
Louder, louder than a lion
‘Cause I am a champion, and you’re gonna hear me roar!”
5. “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten
“This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I’m alright song
My power’s turned on
Starting right now I’ll be strong
I’ll play my fight song
And I don’t really care if nobody else believes
‘Cause I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me.”
6. “Scars to Your Beautiful” by Alessia Cara
“So to all the girls that’s hurting
Let me be your mirror, help you see a little bit clearer
The light that shines within.”
7. “Brave” by Sara Bareilles
“Say what you wanna say
And let the words fall out
Honestly I wanna see you be brave.”
8. “Put Your Records On” by Corinne Bailey Rae
“I hope you get your dreams
Just go ahead, let your hair down
You’re gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow.”
9. “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield
“Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten.”
10. “Fighter” by Christina Aguilera
“Makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
It makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter.”
11. “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys
“She got both feet on the ground
And she’s burning it down
Ohhhh oh oh oh oh
She got her head in the clouds
And she’s not backing down.”
12. “Titanium” by David Guetta ft. Sia
“I’m bulletproof nothing to lose
Fire away, fire away
Ricochet, you take your aim
Fire away, fire away
You shoot me down but I won’t fall
I am titanium
You shoot me down but I won’t fall
I am titanium, I am titanium.”
13. “Who Says” by Selena Gomez and The Scene
“Who says
Who says you’re not perfect
Who says you’re not worth it
Who says you’re the only one that’s hurting.”
14. “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga
“Don’t hide yourself in regret
Just love yourself and you’re set.”
15. “Keep Holding On” by Avril Lavigne
“Keep holding on
‘Cause you know we’ll make it through
We’ll make it through
Just stay strong.”
16. “Lose Yourself” by Eminem
“You better lose yourself in the music, the moment
You own it, you better never let it go
You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime you better”
17. “Hold On” by Wilson Phillips
“Don’t you know things can change
Things’ll go your way
If you hold on for one more day”
Do you listen to music when you’re feeling anxious? If so, what songs inspire you to push past the bad days? Comment below and let me know! I’d love to listen to them and possibly add them to my playlist!
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I love your list. We all need to add this to our playlist. I’ve already added them to mine
What a great list of songs. I truly believe music heals and music is everything to me. Listening to music can do a lot of positive things to us
This is an interesting playlist. I’m glad that you find that it helps you when you need it to.
Music helps me with my anxiety as well. I love all genres and can’t really pick a favorite. Love all the songs on your list!
Thanks for sharing this. I’m actually searching for songs that are motivational. I’ve actually bookmarked this post. :0)
I love your playlist! All of these songs have calmed me too! Can’t wait to create a playlist like this too.
This is a great playlist! I will download these songs today. These songs are going to make me feel better for when I have those “blah” days.
This list a Perfect boost and inspiration for me, too. Listening to the majority of your favorite songs, too! They are so much more meaningful when we start hearing the lyrics in them.
Skyscraper is one of my favorite songs! I think Demi Lovato is an amazing vocalist and this song really proves it.
Music is so relaxing! Thanks for sharing your playlist. I found some new songs for me that I like!
My oh my….I could listen to this list day in day out without getting tired of it!
Music is one of my favorite ways to get “out of my mind” and agree it helps with anxiety. Great playlist!
What a great playlist! I can definitely see it helping to distract from your anxiety! Music is so great for things like this
This is a wonderful playlist. I know just about all the songs on here and I love them too. Sometimes I need to just listen to some calming songs too.
I haven’t listened to some of these in a LONG time. Great reminder of some powerful music!
You are my music soul sister! I have most of these songs on my playlist. And the couple that I don’t have, I will be adding since you have such great taste! 🙂
You have so many great songs on this playlist. I can see why they all help.
I know I am getting old because I know very few of these songs. It is good to keep current so I will try and listen to a lot of these.
This list is a nice mix of oldies and new hits. I love having a motivational playlist to get me through cleaning or workouts.
Great list here! They can kinda be mixed into a gym playlist as well if you think about it! But everytime I listen to those songs, can’t help but be pumped!
I will definitely be adding some of these songs to my 2019 workout playlist!
Hearing a good list of musics make me cheer up. These list of musics looks like such that I love to hear. Thanks for sharing.
I love a good playlist to get me up and going. Great song choices!
Aw, I love those songs! I would have a problem with choosing the best one. And definitely, they can make you feel better
My daughter would love this list. She loves so many of them already. I really do agree that This is Me is such a great song. Definitely motivational to get out and do things and not worry about what the world thinks.
Corinne Bailey Rae has a smooth melodic voice. I use to love her music back when I was in college. I wonder does she have any recent new hits?
Love this list and many of these are my favs too! I love the power of music!
Some seriously great power anthems in here!
Playlist is right on target! I love all of these songs and play them regularly when I work out.
nice list! I opened my youtube and made an album including all these songs so that I can play them back when I need them.
You have great choices of songs! I really love listening music because they are my stress reliever and relaxing.
Great playlist! Especially The Greatest Showman!
So many great songs that I also listen to. I love Alessia Cara. Got the chance to see her live at Jingle Ball last month.
A great playlist! Glad it helps you to feel motivated and better. Love the upbeat tracks you have chosen!
I have a few favorites I listen to when I am experiencing anxiety due to fear. “Tenth Avenue North” has some wonderful songs regarding fear on their album “Control”.
Good music is vital for the soul. This list has some good tunes! Thanks for sharing.
Such a great selection. I listen to music every single day, whether I’m anxious or not. Hold On and Fight Song are some of my favorites too.
This is a great list to keep yourself distracted from anxiety. I enjoy being able to listen to music to keep my anxiety at bay.
This is such a good playlist! I love all of the music here and how it is in varying genres. I think music can really help improve our moods when we need to.
I love all of these songs!
oh what an awesome list… I love listening to Jesus music when I’m feeling anxious!
The fight song is my absolute favorite. Thanks for the list
These look like some great songs to ring in the new year with I need to learn more about today’s music. Fight Song has some good lyrics so i will look for it when i am listening.
I have a similar playlist for when I am feeling discouraged. Music is one of those things that just magically helps motivate me. Glad it helps you too.
Funny how everyones play list can be so different. I even have ones for different times of the year depending on what mood I am in.
This looks like a really good playlist! I’ve never been thinking of songs as the way to motivate myself. I must try your tips whenever I feel overwhelmed by anxiety. 🙂
Roar and Skyscraper helps me to calm my irritation while working if I’m pissed off. Cool collection.
Good music has the power to inspire the soul to accomplish so many goals in life one step at a time. My favourite on this list would be This Is Me.
I need some new music to listen to. I listen to the same stuff all the time and could use some new stuff. Especially where anxiety is concerned!
Oh wow, I absolutely love this playlist!! So empowering and motivating.
I love your list! Music is a great way to change your mood and to feel better. I’m definitely adding these to my playlist.
I listen to music to help me calm down too. Just Like Fire is on my playlist.
WOW! What a powerful playlist. I tend to play Titanium on repeat when I’m having a rough time, but these other songs are some of my favorites. I never would have considered putting them together into a playlist for cool-down time. I will definitely be making this as a playlist in my phone, and will even use it in my classroom.
This playlist is AMAZING! So many songs I love, unwritten was a favourite when I was younger, I need to make this playlist, I love This is Me despite the fact I can’t listen to it without crying ahah
Corinne Bailey Rae is one of my favorite artists. I was so heartbroken when she left the music scene after her husband’s suicide but so glad she returned after finding love and starting a family.
I love this playlist. You’ve included so many of my favorites. I love “ROAR” and “This Girl On Fire”
OMG!! Number, 3, 4 and 7 are just amazing! I used to listen to those songs for motivation too. It’s hard to keep up the standards and expectation of family, friends, work and sometimes can be overwhelming. I’m glad that you found refuge on this type of lyrics and not on the ones that are toxic. Keep it up girl!
Merry Christmas!
XO
Candace
I do love a lot of these. This Is Me is a favorite. The entire soundtrack is! I also like Hold On. I have a lot of these on my list when I jog.
I actually love most of these songs! They are inspirational and upbeat! I do need to add a few more, but I LOVE all the songs from The Greatest Showman!
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Yes, me too! That’s such a great soundtrack and movie!
I enjoy listening to many of the same songs. Helps get me up and going makes the time fly by
I usually listen to angry music when I work out, but that’s really the only playlist I have. I listen to music in the car, too, but it’s just 90’s on 9.