Music’s Impact on Mental Health: My Summer 2023 Playlist For Well-Being
We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Read a really boring disclaimer above to learn more!
Finding My Summer 2023 Playlist took me a few hours.
Music completely impacts the vibe of your summer. Taking some time to curate your playlist will help you find what you want your summer to look and feel like. This post is all about creating your perfect Summer 2023 Playlist.
My Summer 2023 Playlist
My playlist includes a mix of smooth soft songs and vibey upbeat songs. I’m not afraid to press repeat on a song or skip a song when I’m not feeling it that day.
If you get too distracted by music while doing other work, I highly recommend these loop ear plugs. I keep them on my keyring so that I can put them in during my break at work or when I am on the computer.
Here is a link to spotify that has my playlist!
The first song is complex (demo) by Katie Gregson-Maclead who has the most smooth and unique voice. The lyrics are a little deep and can be depressing, but it a great song to have playing in the background when cleaning or working. It is all about the dichotomy of her relationship and how she is working through it.
“But I’m wearing his boxers
I’m being a good wife
We won’t be together
But maybe the next life
I need him like water
He lives on a landslide”
“Now I just want to kill you
But I don’t want to paint you the victim
And I talk a good game
I’d die for you the promise you’d listen”
You may know this song from TikTok, but I genuinely get so much joy from listening to this song. I love how funky and jazzy it is with the voices of Cinya Khan and Dana and Alden.
“You’re as sweet as lemon tea
You’re mushy like pumpkin pie
In my bag like grocery
Meet me in the yogurt isle”
Cinya Khan has a once in a generation voice that is smooth and effortless. I am excited to see what else they come up with!
I found this song from “Let’s Go To Trader Joe’s”‘s Cinya Khan. She could hum into a mic and I would think it is beautiful.
“And I know this house can be a home
And I know I’m never alone
Cause I’ve memorized the dial tone”
Anne-Marie and Shania Twain came together to make a fantastic song called “Unhealthy.” I was excited to see that Shania Twain had come out with music, but this song was so much more poppy and upbeat than I expected. It is a great tone and beat for the summer since it is so fun!
“Well, if it’s unhealthy, then I don’t give a damn
‘Cause even if it kills me, I’ll always take your hand
It’s unhealthy, they just don’t understand
And when they try to stop me, just know nobody can
You’re still gon’ be my man”
This is a song I am sure you have always heard because it is so good. The lyrics and musical tone make this version of the song a masterpiece. Lizzy McAlpine is definitely someone I will be looking out for when it comes to new music!
“Bed sheets, no clothes
Touch me like nobody else does
Lovely to just lay here with you
You’re kinda cute and I would say all of this
But I don’t want to ruin the moment
Lovely to sit between comfort and chaos”
Doechii is someone I hadn’t heard about until I found this song on a TikTok video. It is a perfect summer anthem because it is just so fun and infectious. Listening to this with the windows down, wearing a tank top and jean shorts, and dancing in the car is the epitome of summertime.
“What it is, ho? What’s up?
Every good girl needs a little thug
Every block boy needs a little love
If you put it down, I’ma pick it up, up, up”
I haven’t listened to much of Niall Horan’s solo music, but this song was just to beautiful not to add to this playlist. It’s hard to find pretty love songs that aren’t too slow or too fast and that just feel good. This song makes me feel like I’m living in a movie.
“God only knows where this could go
And even if our love starts to grow out of control
And you and me go up in flames
Heaven won’t be the same”
This version of “Call Out My Name” is a wonderful experience to listen to. The melodies and creativity with his voice is truly amazing. This is a great song for sitting around the house and being productive. The R&B vibe to it all is vibey haha.
“Call out my name
Call out my name when I kiss you so gently
I want you to stay
I want you to stay even though you don’t want me
Girl, why can’t you wait?
Girl, why can’t you wait ’til I fall out of love?”
6LACK’s new song, “Since I Have A Lover” is quintessential ‘summer.’ It is more poppy than his normal R&B music, but it is definitely a fun listen.
“I smoke, you smoke, get lifted, we gone
From the Eastside to the tours I go on
Got too much to do and the days don’t get no longer
Cooped up for the winter, we gon’ drop this love next summer”
Lennon Stella makes great music about relationships, but this song is truly a delight to listen to. She has such a unique voice that, mixed with the beat and flow of the song, makes the song memorable and catchy.
This song is perfect for dancing with friends or alone in your apartment at 2:00 in the morning.
“Oh, I hear sex and candy
Oh, I could keep on dancing
Oh, let’s go somewhere fancy
Where we could keep on dancing”
If you listen to R&B, I am sure you have heard of Kali Uchis since she is so iconic. If you haven’t heard of Uchis or “I Wish you Roses,” then you are in for a treat. Again, this song is perfect for dancing around the house alone.
The lyrics and tone make it easy to sing, yet unique and nothing like I have ever heard before.
“Ooh, never thought I would be without you
I wish you love, I wish you well
I wish you roses while you can still smell ’em
With pretty flowers can come the bee sting
But I wish you love, I wish you well
I wish you roses while you can still smell ’em”
You probably remember Aly and AJ from Disney Channel back in the day, and their music hasn’t stopped! “Slow Dancing” is also a beautiful love song that isn’t depressing or heart breaking. I love dancing with my boyfriend to this late at night.
“Move the kitchen table out to the lawn
Roll up the rug, the stereo’s on
All I can imagine is being in your arms
I want you to know
I don’t need anything fancy
I just need me and you slow dancing
Hell’s bending, keeping me captive
Heaven’s here, it’s right where you’re standing”
This has been my favorite song for a few months and for good reason. The lyrics don’t quite make sense to me all the time, but it is an engaging song. Listen to it to a few times and get hooked!
“So before I turn it off, little light at my bedstand
Ask me what I thought of the life that I led and
I’ll take off your pants, say goodnight to the ears there
Put you where I sing in the light in the damp air
I’ll be good to you”
I have always loved Miley Cyrus, and I don’t think she can do much wrong regarding music. This song is no exception. Her voice sounds rock-esque and has a bit of twang. Her perspective of ignoring the bad in life and only seeing the good is so interesting and make for a really encapsulating song.
“Let’s stay like this forever”
Gracie Abrams’ song “I know it won’t Work” is raw and emotional. I love the Billie Eilish vibes I get from this song. As with many pieces, the bridge is my favorite part. It speeds up the music, gets louder, and pulls you in. Abrams’ voice makes the song for me because it is raspy and winey simultaneously.
“I hate to look at your face and know that we’re feeling different”
You’re going to notice a trend with my playlist… I am in love with love music. With the phase of life I am in, I am wanting to listen to sweet and lovey music that makes me happy. In the summer, I am wanting fun and happy music that is easy to listen to and have fun with. This song is perfect because it is technically a new Taylor Swift song and it is all about her ‘lover.’
“I’m so thankful for
All of the girls you loved before”
“All of the girls you loved before
Made you the one I’ve fallen for”
This wouldn’t be one of my playlists without SZA. Nobody Gets Me is my current favorite SZA song because it is fun to sing along to. If I’m in a good mood, I can see the lyrics as sweet and good and think about how well my boyfriend knows me. But, if I’m in a bad mood it can be seen as sad and lonely. I love this song no matter how I am feeling.
“I don’t wanna see you with anyone but me
Nobody gets me like you
How am I supposed to let you go?
Only like myself when I’m with you
Nobody gets me, you do”
After seeing this song performed in concert, August has become my favorite Taylor Swift song. It is such an easy song to sing and reminisce. It reminds me of the beginnings of love and the excitement of it all. Highly recommend listening to it this summer!
“But I can see us lost in the memory
August slipped away into a moment in time
‘Cause it was never mine
And I can see us twisted in bedsheets
August sipped away like a bottle of wine
‘Cause you were never mine”
“Remember when I pulled up and said, “Get in the car”
And then canceled my plans just in case you’d call?
Back when I was livin’ for the hope of it all, for the hope of it all
“Meet me behind the mall””
I recently rediscovered this song and it has been my favorite shower song. It is perfect to blast and it isn’t too fast to sing along to. Afterglow by Taylor Swift is an easy bop that will bring you happiness.
“Hey
It’s all me in my head
I’m the one who burned us down
But it’s not what I meant
Sorry that I hurt you
I don’t wanna do, I don’t wanna do this to you
I don’t wanna lose, I don’t wanna lose this with you
I need to say, hey
It’s all me, just don’t go
Meet me in the afterglow”
Customizing Your Own Mental Health-Focused Summer 2023 Playlist
A personalized playlist can be a powerful tool for promoting mental well-being, and creating one tailored to your individual needs and preferences is easier than you might think. To build your own mental health-focused Summer 2023 playlist, start by considering what type of music resonates with you and helps you feel calm, uplifted, or inspired. Don’t be afraid to explore various genres and artists, as the best fit for your well-being might be found in unexpected places. Remember that your playlist should be a reflection of your unique journey towards improved mental health, so take the time to curate a collection of songs that genuinely support and enhance your emotional state. Happy listening
Conclusion
In conclusion, curating the perfect Summer 2023 playlist for mental health involves exploring various genres and artists, selecting songs that resonate with your emotional needs, and customizing a collection that truly supports your well-being. Integrating music into your self-care routine can greatly enhance your overall emotional state, providing solace, motivation, and inspiration. Don’t forget to share your favorite mental health-boosting tunes and personal experiences with music, as your recommendations might inspire others on their journey towards improved mental wellness. Together, we can create a harmonious soundtrack to support our collective healing and growth.