by Marisa Valentino
Mental health is composed of three main categories; cognitive, behavioral, and emotional well being according to Medical News Today. In regards to emotional well being, it is important to remember all emotions are valid and worthy of being accepted and expressed in healthy ways. There are a variety of beneficial coping mechanisms for managing difficult emotions, one of which is listening to music.
1 Angry
Maybe you just missed the drink up at Mugz’s, your significant other is being a
real asshole, or maybe you remembered Trump is our president. These are just
some of the many irritating things that could piss off just about anyone. We all
know that feeling; your jaw clenches, your palms get sweaty, and you just feel like
screaming. Although anger is sometimes viewed as a negative emotion, it can be beneficial. When anger is channeled in a healthy way it can serve as motivation, make you aware of your boundaries, and encourage you to stand up for yourself.
This playlist is for those who are angry and want to embrace their anger. Let this
serve as a great alternative for punching a wall. These songs will do the screaming
for you with singers yelling aggressive lyrics. Not to mention mildly chaotic
musical compositions will mirror your emotional turmoil, what could be better than
tha?
1 Of Age by The Frights
Simply put, this song is about growing pains. The lyrics reference regret over past
decisions and how relationships change with time. The yelling aspect of this song
happens toward the end when the lyrics say “Overwhelming I’m not saying I have come of age” and it gradually increases in volume. This song is perfect for when you’re feeling irritated and confused about getting older.
2 Holy Ghost by Slow Warm Death
3 West Coast by Fidlar
2 Sad
Maybe you didn’t get that internship you really wanted, you forgot your Fordham
ID number, or you’ve just had a really trying day in general. You get that familiar
lump in your throat and lose all motivation to do anything except lie in bed. A majority of people would agree that sadness is not an enjoyable emotion, but it is important and does serve a purpose. Allowing yourself to experience sadness can help you come to terms with loss and bring your attention to something in your life that’s negatively affecting you. This playlist is for when you’re feeling sad and want, or need, to wallow in that sadness. These songs have slow tempos with repetitive melodies and lyrics that are sure to match your mood.
1 Beach Baby Bon Iver
Like most Bon Iver songs, Beach Baby is sad as hell. Lead singer Justin Vernon’s
voice is unmistakably downhearted and the solo acoustic guitar plays a solemnly
slow melody. This combination is gloomy enough on its own, but then there’s the
lyrical content about a failed love which makes this song completely heartbreaking.
2 Cig by Baby FuzZ
3 Ribs by Lorde
3 Calm
Are you feeling a little (or a lot) too angry, stressed, or flat out emotionally overloaded? The best way to cope with this is by going through the often difficult process of relaxing. Calming down allows you to evaluate situations clearly, makes it easier to problem-solve, and allows for that invisible weight on your chest to be lifted. In addition to deep breathing, meditation, and other therapeutic techniques you can try this playlist. The slow rhythms, relaxed vocals, and light-hearted lyrics could be just the thing to regulate your emotions.
1. Astrovan by Mt. Joy
This song is incredibly easy to listen to and very calming. The vocals almost make it seem as if the lead singer, Matt Quinn, is telling you a story. The melody is predictable and repetitive in a good way. Not to mention it’s a song about Jesus being a stoner who drives an Astro van which is a total bonus.
2. You Can’t Always Get What You Want by The Rolling Stones
There’s just something really reassuring about the repetition of the line “you get
what you need.”
3. Going Gets Tough by The Growlers
4. Stolen Dance by Milky Chance
5. Everlasting Arms by Vampire Weekend
4 Happy
Being happy is great. This emotion makes it easier to appreciate and focus on the
good in life, be confident, productive, and so on. But sometimes it can be hard to
feel happy. Sometimes we can feel consumed by another emotion or stuck feeling
nothing at all. This playlist is to encourage happiness. The upbeat tempos and
positive lyrics will hopefully put a smile on your face.
1. Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners
This is one of those songs that’s impossible not to sing and/or dance along to. The
line “Too-ra-loo-ra, too-ra-loo-rye, ay” is ridiculously fun to sing. It’s completely
fantastic and contagiously upbeat.
2. Laura by Hockey Dad
3. Peach Tree by Ax and the Hatchetmen
4. Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations
