Music Playlists for When You’re Depressed

Whether you’re depressed or supporting someone living with a mental health condition, there might be days when you feel low or anxious. Music is one tool that can help your mood. One of the great things about music is that you can listen anywhere—with just a phone and headphones, you have instant access. We created these music playlists for when you’re depressed to lift your mood.

How Music Can Help with Depression

UW Medicine reports that music triggers the release of dopamine (a hormone that plays a key role in feeling pleasure) in the brain, which can improve mood and stress levels. Research shows that music can help reduce symptoms of physical pain or emotional distress associated with physical pain. And recent studies found that music therapy can be an effective treatment for depression.

What Kind of Music Helps Depression?

Some types of music to calm and relax your nervous system

The parasympathetic nervous system is a network of nerves that promotes relaxation and supports essential bodily functions. It works alongside the sympathetic nervous system, which controls the body’s fight-or-flight response, as part of the autonomic nervous system.

For example, listening to the song “Weightless” by Marconi Union has been shown in one study to result in a striking 65% reduction in participants’ overall anxiety. The song was created with the goal of lowering a listener’s heart rate, blood pressure, and stress levels. The song’s sustained rhythm starts at 60 beats per minute and gradually slows to around 50 beats per minute.

Research suggests that it’s best to find music that lifts your mood rather than sad songs that might lead you to ruminate or keep you in a cycle of sad thoughts. Try searching apps like Apple Music, Pandora, Spotify, Tidal, or YouTube to find “upbeat music playlists” or “feel-good music” to start.

The kind of music that lifts your mood is deeply personal—one person might love hip-hop, while another prefers country. Music linked to positive memories are often the most helpful. Creating your own “Good Feeling playlist” can help you find what works best for you.

In the meantime, here are some of our go-to playlists—give them a listen!

Music Playlists for When You’re Depressed

Playlist #1 Encouraging Songs to Help Moms Find Strength

If you are the parent or caregiver of a teen or young adult struggling with depression, it’s natural to feel discouraged. These songs can help you connect with your inner strength and hold on to hope. Search “Inspirational Songs” or “Female Anthems” for more like this.

• SUPERBLOOM, MisterWives
• Just the Way You Are, Bruno Mars
• I’m Every Woman, Whitney Houston
• Stronger, Kelly Clarkson
• Got to Be Real, Cheryl Lynn
• Broken & Beautiful, Kelly Clarkson
• Titanium, David Guetta feat. Sia
• Umbrella (Radio Edit), Rhianna feat. JAY-Z
• I’m Every Woman, Whitney Houston
• For Good, Wicked
• Halo, Beyoncé
• Beautiful, Christina Aguilera
• Ablaze, Alanis Morissette

Playlist #2 Songs to Get You Dancing (or Moving)

Any kind of movement can be beneficial when you’re living with depression. It may be a short walk in your neighborhood or maybe just a quick dance around your bedroom. These upbeat songs can help motivate you to move, and maybe even make it fun!

• Walking on Sunshine, Katrina and the Waves
• I Melt with You, Modern English
• Groove Is in the Heart, Deee-Lite
• Wannabe, Spice Girls
• What I Like About You, The Romantics
• Vogue, Madonna
• Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), Beyoncé
• Jump Around, House of Pain
• September, Earth, Wind & Fire
• Footloose, Kenny Loggins
• Twist And Shout, The Beatles
• Y.M.C.A., Village People
• Beautiful Day, U2
• Praise You, Fatboy Slim
• Love on Top, Beyoncé
• I Feel Like Dancing, Jason Mraz

Playlist #3 Upbeat Mix

This playlist features songs with positive messages and uplifting melodies to boost your mood and energy. Even on difficult days, these songs can help shift your perspective and remind you of life’s brighter moments. Here are some tracks to spark your inner optimism.

• Put Your Records On, Corinne Bailey Rae
• Unwritten, Natasha Bedingfield
• La La Land, Demi Lovato feat. Nita Strauss
• Unstoppable, Sia
• Good time, Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen
• Whatever It Takes, Imagine Dragons
• Eye of the Tiger, Survivor
• Can’t Stop the Feeling, Justin Timberlake
• Try Everything, Shakira
• Thunder, Imagine Dragons
• Best Day of My Life, American Authors
• All Star, Smash Mouth
• Stranger Things, Kygo feat. OneRepublic
• Don’t You Worry Child, Swedish House Mafia feat. John Martin
• Here I Go Again, Sershen&Zaritskaya
• Happiness, Sarz feat. Asake & Gunna
• Roar, Katy Perry

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Copy Editor

Johnny Kenton, PhD, is a biomedical neuroscientist and volunteer editor for Families for Depression Awareness. With a passion for clear, impactful writing, he founded Symbiotic Editing in 2024, specializing in academic editing. When he’s not refining manuscripts, Johnny enjoys exercising and spending time with his wife, their one-year-old son, and their dogs.