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We believe music holds an important place in our lives. It can change our mood in an instant. Music is one of the strongest external influences we experience. Just like a good book, it can take you somewhere you have never been and open up new experiences. From rock music to binaural beats, it can affect us deeply.
At Lifeism, we are on a mission to make the internet a safer and happier place. We are constantly creating and gathering resources to help make that happen.
That mission inspired the Lifeism YouTube channel and our first original music and video.
We often struggle to find music for different moods. Our playlists change with what we are doing. Workouts, parties, dancing, studying, and working can all call for something different. And sometimes it is hard to find a playlist that is both fun and positive, something that puts you in a good mood right away. We hope you find exactly what you need on Lifeism.
Let's be clear about something first. Some mornings you will not feel like pressing play on anything, and that is fine. You don't have to be cheerful on cue. But if you are stuck in a low, flat mood and can't think your way out of it, music is one of the gentlest levers we have. It asks very little of you. You just listen.
Start Here: Press Play
Start your day with uplifting, happy music in the background. Press play, then let this feel-good music accompany you as you move through your day.
That is our own track, made for exactly this. Put it on while you make your tea, get dressed, or answer your first emails. Don't sit and stare at the screen. Let it run in the background and see what shifts by the time it ends.
Match the Music to the Moment
The same song won't work at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. So think about what you need from the next hour, not what you think you should be listening to.
For a slow, hopeful morning
"Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles, from the 1969 album Abbey Road, was written by George Harrison. It is a song about relief after a long grey stretch, which makes it a good fit for the days when the grey is not outside but inside. Try this: play it once, with the window open, before you check your phone.
"Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley and the Wailers, from the 1977 album Exodus, has one simple message: don't worry about a thing. It won't fix your to-do list. It will loosen your shoulders for three minutes, and sometimes that is the whole job.
For a day that needs energy
"Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves was written by the band's guitarist, Kimberley Rew. It is bright, brassy and impossible to sit still through. Play it while you tidy up, and notice how fast the tidying speeds up.
"Happy" by Pharrell Williams, written for the film Despicable Me 2, is the kind of song that makes strangers tap their feet. Use it as a walking song. Aim for one block, then one more.
For when you want to dance in the kitchen
"September" by Earth, Wind and Fire (1978) and "Sir Duke" by Stevie Wonder, from the 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life and a tribute to Duke Ellington, are the two we reach for when the mood needs a proper push. Horns, groove, joy. Turn them up louder than feels polite. Nobody is judging your dancing.
Build Your Own Mood Playlist
Our list is a starting point. The best mood-boosting playlist is the one that has your songs on it, the ones tied to good memories and good days. Here is a simple way to make it.
- Start with three songs. Pick three that have never failed to lift you. That is enough to begin.
- Name it for the feeling. "Morning light" or "Get up and go" tells you what it is for, so you will actually press play.
- Keep it short. Twenty minutes you will finish beats two hours you will skip around.
- Add one song a week. When something makes you smile, put it on the list that day.
Make It a Small Daily Ritual
One good playlist on a hard day helps. A small habit helps more. Choose one moment that already happens every day, like brewing coffee or walking to the bus, and attach a song to it. Same time, same song for a week. Before long, the first notes will start to signal to your body that it is time to shift gears.
And if a song stops working, let it go. Music is allowed to change as you do. You don't need to be loyal to a track that no longer lifts you.
A Gentle Reminder
Music can lift a mood. It can't do the work of rest, a good conversation, or a walk outside. Think of it as a helping hand, one part of feeling better. If a low mood sticks around for weeks, please talk to someone you trust or a professional. There is no prize for coping alone.
In the meantime, use what is within reach. Put on a song, step outside for five minutes, and let the next hour be a little lighter than the last.
Prefer Not to Use YouTube?
If you would rather enjoy the music without YouTube, you can also listen to Lifeism on SoundCloud. Our Mood Boosting Music track is there too.
Stream Mood Boosting Upbeat Music by Lifeism on desktop or mobile.
We hope this music adds a little joy to your day. Be gentle with yourself, press play, and let the day begin. You've got this.
Lifeism shares ideas and practices for reflection. It is not medical, psychological or financial advice. Read our Disclaimer.