8 Lyrics to help anxiety

It's clear that we often lean heavily on music when we are going through something. It has the powerful ability to lift you up, to relax your mind, or to simply let you know you're not alone in your struggle.

Of course, usually music alone is no remedy to the troubles we face, but it can be helpful nonetheless. Different people can draw out different meanings from various sets of lyrics, such is the subjective beauty of art. 

The following is a selection of hand-picked lyrics that are aimed specifically at easing your worries and allaying your fears. Some may become new cri de coeurs, some may simply wash over you without having much effect. But hopefully in shining a spotlight on particularly useful lyrics, there will be at least one that will really resonate with you...
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Don't you worry, don't you worry, child/See Heaven's got a plan for you

​1. Swedish House Mafia, Don't You Worry Child

You don't have to believe in Heaven, or be religious at all for that matter, to appreciate this.  Personally the message I gain from this is that no matter how low you are feeling, or how difficult it may be right now, in the long run you will always be okay. I have a saying that I'm always annoying my friends with - 'Even when it doesn't go to plan, it does'. This could be God's plan (shoutout Drake...), the Universe's plan, or simply your ultimate plan for your life. In the end, the struggle makes you who you are. 
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Oh, my darlin', put your worries on me/Can't judge you 'cause I feel the same thing

​2. Ed Sheeran, Put It All On Me feat. Ella Mai

I really like this one, because it sounds fairly generic at first, but peering deeper into it reveals a significant message. For me, it's the idea that it's okay to ask someone for help when you're going through something. Don't be too prideful or too ashamed to lean on other people. There's a good chance they're going through something similar. 

Have a look at my review of Ed Sheeran's 'No.6 Collaborations Project' here

Ain't in no hurry, I'd be a fool now to worry/About all those things I can't change

​3. Zac Brown Band, No Hurry

This is the central Zac Brown Band mantra of 'Que sera sera', and to not let things that are out of your control get you down. If you have a problem, address it, and if there is a solution go about achieving it. If there is no solution, then leave it behind. It's irrelevant. 

Check out a more detailed look at No Hurry in this Self-Help Songs post

Everything that's broke, leave it to the breeze/Why don't you be you, and I'll be me?

​4. James Bay, ​Let It Go

​This is a great quote, because it echoes the previous notion of letting things that are out of your control go. Often we can torment ourselves over what could have been, or what we should have done. "Leave it to the breeze", and don't be stuck in the past. Also, this takes on another meaning in the sense of what you might see as 'broken' parts of your personality or appearance. Just be yourself - we hear it time and time again, but it's true. Why be someone you're not, when you're awesome just the way you are (shoutout Bruno Mars...) 

Today I missed my workout, but it worked out/Now I'm missing work now, but it worked out

​5. Chance the Rapper, Work Out

​Okay, this seems like a random quote to have included. But it resonates with me quite strongly, because I think we can overthink the details of our lives, and be too hard on ourselves when we don't match up to our expectations. It's great to be disciplined and driven, but cut yourself some slack - don't be too hard on yourself (shoutout Jess Glynne...okay, I'm going to stop with all the cross-referencing now...!). Also, remember to have fun! Charlie Hoehn wrote a great article about how 'Play' cured his anxiety, read that here.  

You might also like...Self-Help Songs, 'How to Be Positive', by Chance the Rapper

Gonna to put the world away for a minute/Pretend I don't live in it/Sunshine's gonna wash my blues away

​6. Zac Brown Band, Knee Deep

Yes, I know, it's ANOTHER Zac Brown Band song. Talk about biased. But this artist more than any other epitomises for me the feeling of just kicking back, relaxing, and taking the strain off of your mind. They're not talking about a literal vacation here, it's a mental one. We all carry around with us personal spas in the form of meditation. Get away for free! 

Then I felt my pulse quickening/But regrets can't change anything...Joy, set my mind free/I was giving up, oh, I was giving in

​7. Bastille, ​Joy

​Another poignant lyric about letting the past be the past. Don't agonise and torment yourself over something you can't change. Also I added the second part of the lyrics, because it emphasises the positive message of the song. Just when you are thinking of giving in, don't! Relief from your pain could literally just be around the corner. 
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And when all broken-hearted people/Living in the world agree/There will be an answer/Let it be

​8. The Beatles, Let It Be

​This iconic song is probably most famous for having an amazing melody, as all The Beatles' songs do. But the lyrics really hit home, and underline what a lot of the other lyrics in this article have been saying. Don't fight against an immovable obstacle, especially if it is behind you - turn around, and let it go. Let it be. 

Maxim Mower

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You might also like...'Self-Help Songs, How to worry less' 

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