A soothing playlist of 20 songs for anxiety.
We all have our weaknesses…
Anxiety happens to be one of mine. I’m grateful for the many ways that God brings rest to our weary souls exactly when we need it most.
One of these ways is through the gift of music.
For it is often through the lyrics or notes of a beautiful song that my anxious heart begins to settle and my focus shifts back to where it needs to be. Music to calm anxiety is truly a gift to be enjoyed.
20 Songs For Anxiety
Below are 20 songs for anxiety. My children and I will often begin our busy days with these songs to help start the day out right. My son’s ADHD is even positively impacted by these soothing songs. While listening to such beautiful music, I often wonder what Heaven will sound like if it can sound this glorious in a broken world.
This songs for anxiety and depression playlist is also a relaxing way to drift off to sleep after a busy or stress filled day. Most of these songs are instrumental, while a few of them do contain soft vocals. Be sure to check out the Spotify playlist below!
1. The Greatest Showman Medley– Lindsey Stirling
Lindsey is truly a gifted musician to say the least. This one is currently on repeat in our home. The soft music exudes innocence and purity. It takes me back to a time when life was much more simple, quiet, and pure.
2. Perfect– The Piano Guys
It’s amazing how some songs can be even more powerful without lyrics! A beautiful piece of music done by an incredible pianist.
3. Amazing Grace– Brian Crain
This is by far my favorite rendering of this timeless classic, and a sweet song for anxiety relief. The simplicity of the music provides a beautiful backdrop to these powerful lyrics.
4. I Shall Not Want– Audrey Assad
In the midst of feelings of frustration or overwhelm this song reminds us of all that we have to be grateful for and helps to realign our perspective.
5. I Will Never Leave You– Scripture Lullabies
A beautiful reminder that God will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). He will walk us through the trials.
6. A River Flows In You– Yiruma
Over 120 million YouTube views and nearly 80,000 comments leave no doubt as to this one being one of the most well-loved piano songs of the decade. It’s a pretty arrangement that draws many emotions. This song easily calms anxiety and the busyness around us.
7. Beethoven’s 5 Secrets– The Piano Guys
The piano, cello, and full orchestra combination on this one make it hard to top. A unique blend of two songs from two very different time periods combine to create a breathtaking medley.
8. Song For Sienna– Brian Crain
After stumbling upon Mr. Crain’s work several years ago I’ve never looked back. His ability to combine soft and powerful notes creates one masterpiece after another. Song For Sienna will leave you refreshed.
9. Be Thou My Vision– Audrey Assad
Be Thou My Vision has been my favorite hymn since I was a teenager. Audrey’s beautiful vocals lend depth to these well-loved lyrics.
10. Hallelujah– Lindsey Stirling
There are so many wonderful versions of this one, but Lindsey’s artful skill on the violin is second to none. Many people aren’t aware that artist Cloverton performed a “Christmas Hallelujah” version that perfectly displays the wonder and pure joy of the Christmas season.
11. Someone Like You– Brooklyn Duo
A husband and wife team with amazing talent add a classical flare to this popular song.
12. Be Still & Know– Scripture Lullabies- Song For Anxiety
One of the reasons Scripture Lullabies stands apart from the crowd is their desire to literally sing the words of Scripture. Listening to these words set to beautiful music makes it easy to “hide God’s Word in our hearts”.
“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” This Christian song for anxiety is a simple reminder to rest in God’s goodness.
13. Dream Of Flying– Brian Crain
A slow start transitions into a sweet and soothing tune.
14. Rain– Simply Three
“Rain” is unique in it’s instrumental combination, but successfully adds a set of drums into the strings mix, resulting in a sweet song that helps with anxiety and brightens your day.
15. Someone You Loved– The Piano Guys
This group has the remarkable ability of transforming what was originally a sad love song into a lovely work of art.
16. It Is Well– Audrey Assad
A peaceful song reminding us to be eternally minded instead of living for temporary earthly pleasures. The choir accompaniment adds a rich depth to this well-known hymn.
17. Wonderfully Made– Scripture Lullabies
These lullabies are far from just for children. This 3 set collection has been shown to help reduce anxiety and stress in many adults, myself included.
Soft vocals and a full orchestra gently remind us of the unfailing love that our Creator holds for us. These words are pulled straight from one of my favorite Psalms, Psalm 139. “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” (Psalm 139:14)
18. What Child Is This?– Lindsey Stirling
A beautiful version of the beloved Christmas song that turns our thoughts upon the true meaning of Christmas.
19. A Thousand Years– The Piano Guys
Another lovely cover by these amazing guys! The use of the cello is both creative and pure genius!
20. A Simple Life– Brian Crain
Our fast paced lives and near constant distractions often prevent us from clearly seeing the blessings that surround us. This uplifting song for anxiety hits pause on the chaos and helps us appreciate the little things that we so often take for granted.
Related Post: OVERCOMING ANXIETY WITH GOD
What Should I Listen To When I Have Anxiety?
So what exactly should we listen to when we’re struggling with anxiety? Although, we all have unique music preferences I think it’s safe to say that there is some music that we can all agree is simply beautiful. There is something special about the piano and violin, in particular, that can instantly calm a weary heart.
Studies show that the right kind of music can help calm you down and reduce anxiety by up to 65%! In fact, music therapy has been used by multiple countries over many centuries for it’s calming abilities. (Although I’m certain that it is actually the Author of this music who is the real Healer).
Science has also proven that instrumental music (and nature sounds) can play a powerful role in helping to calm our anxiety by actually lowering cortisol levels (a hormone that can trigger stress in the body). So whether it’s a beautiful melody or a soothing joyful tune, I’d encourage you to give music a try when you begin to struggle with anxious thoughts.
Enjoying the beauty of God’s creation or a sweet calming song for anxiety can have a tremendous impact on our hearts.
Cast All Your Anxiety On Him
When life throws us trials we have two options: We can become bitter, angry, depressed, and give up. OR- We can realize that much of life is completely out of our control, but entirely in the hands of the very One who spun it all into existence.
And He can use these trials for our good and His glory even if we never fully understand how this side of Heaven. We were never meant to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. However, I also know that God can use these burdens to open our eyes to our desperate need of a Savior.
We are broken people, living in a broken world, with a giant void in our hearts that we try to fill with a multitude of things that will never truly satisfy.
What if we handed over all of our worries, fears, pain, and failures to the One who can actually ease those burdens and give us new life? What if we admitted our weaknesses, turned from our sin, and cried out to the only One who can ever make us completely whole? The One who came to earth to live a sinless life for the sole purpose of dying on the cross to be the sacrifice for our sin. The One who offers us the incredible gift of grace and eternal life?
What if instead of being paralyzed by the fear of all that is out of our control we simply learned to rest in Jesus?
“28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
“6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
1 Peter 5:6-10
Can Songs Cure Anxiety?
Although calming songs for anxiety can play a part in our ability to overcome this struggle, music alone will never bring about complete peace. True peace and comfort- the kind that brings us joy that isn’t dependent upon our circumstances can only be found in having a personal relationship with the very One who created us.
I’m still very much a work in progress in this area. And if I’m not careful it can easily consume me entirely.
Over the last few years I have learned the best way to manage my anxiety is to simply keep a heart fixed on my Savior. He has this unexplainable way of transforming our fear into peace and our worry into joy when we’re faithful to trust in His unforeseen plan.
I imagine that this inward struggle resonates with many others. Especially parents. Especially moms. Motherhood has a way of changing us- often times for the best. BUT it also has a way of bringing along with it a whole boatload of uninvited anxiety from the moment our little ones take their first breath.
Friends, God has been teaching me something lately that I’d like to share with you. If we spend all of our energy worrying over potential situations, or even living in fear over current situations, we are wasting the few precious years we’ve been given.
Life is a gift.
And parenting is a genuine joy. May we spend our days loving, leading, and guiding our children to the best of our ability while staying connected to our Savior and the hope that He so freely offers along the way. And we all know that anxiety struggles are far from just a mom problem. These last couple of years have given almost everyone something to be anxious about in some form or another. Whether it’s over employment, health, finances, or the many uncertainties that surround us, many of us are struggling like never before.
If you are struggling in this area I’d encourage you to call out to the Man who died to be your Savior. For He alone is capable of providing lasting comfort and peace for our anxiety driven hearts and minds.
Read, study, and memorize God’s Word.
Faithfully pray.
And then rest in knowing that the state of the world, and the stresses of your life do not take him by surprise.
He sees you. He created you and knows you better than anyone else in all of creation. And He is waiting for you to come to Him for sweet rest.
I truly hope that these songs for anxiety are a help to you, and ultimately point you to the very One who can give your soul rest.
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