"Quarantunes"

Most things are closed right now. But you know what's not closed? MUSIC!

Whether you're making your own, driving with the radio on full blast, jamming with your vintage 1990's boombox, zoning out with headphones on, or having Alexa play your favorite songs on demand- MUSIC IS OPEN! Open and essential. It keeps me sane, hopeful, and can change my mood for the better in an instant!

Chances are you've been experiencing a range of emotions during this pandemic. I know that I have. Overwhelmed, sad, happy, lonely, content, stir crazy, angry, empathetic... the list goes on and on.

There are SO many benefits that come from listening to music. It combats loneliness, depression, and stress. It increases happiness, stamina, learning, and memory. Want to change your mood? Want to feel inspired? Want to cry it out? Want to feel it all, or nothing at all? Then turn up the volume, and get to listening. Let the music be your guide.

Here are eight songs that I've been loving during quarantine...

1. Want to FEEL GOOD? Here's a dance it out, lift your spirits, you can do it, sing into your kitchen spatula, everything's gonna be alright song...

KEEP YOUR HEAD UP by Ben Howard

2. LOVEY DOVEY, ready to tell someone how you really feel? Here's a fall in Love, make that phone call, kiss and tell, let the sunlight in song...

SURRENDER by Natalie Taylor

3. WANT TO SWEAT IT OUT and/or RUN FASTER? This song always gets me pumped up when I'm on the treadmill. It's a fun, get your blood pumping, upbeat, shake your booty, just one more burpee song...

BODY by Loud Luxury feat. Brando

4. DEPRESSED? Here's a sad, cry it out, anthem to depression, feel it all song...

LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE by Lennon Stella

(sidenote: Lennon Stella is my favorite! Have you heard her new album that was just released? If not, give it a listen. She just released it on April 24th. It's good, like SOOOOO good!)

5. NEED A GOOD WAKE UP, HAPPY song? Here's a hopeful, rise and shine, love the day, stand tall, we'll get through this together, happy song...

I JUST WANNA SHINE by Fitz and The Tantrums

6. NEED TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND TAKE A DRIVE? Here's a song that will bring in that easy, breezy, blue feeling that everyone can sing along to. This is a family favorite in our car...

SHOTGUN by George Ezra

7. LONELY? If so, you're not alone in feeling so. Haim's newest song seems to have been written for these quarantine times...

"'Cause nights turn into days

That turn to grey

Keep turning over

Somethings never grow

I know alone like no one else does"

I KNOW ALONE by HAIM

8. TIME TO CONCENTRATE? A change in workplace, working from home, or getting anything done in general might feel difficult right now withe everything going on! So much information, so many unknowns, lots of thoughts swirling in your head all of the time, might make it hard to concentrate and stay on task. Here's a song that can help calm your mind and find your focus...

2 CELLOS- GAME OF THRONES (holla to all my fellow Game of Thrones fans!!)

*I hope these songs bring you peace of mind like they have for me. Think about taking the time to make your own playlists that will help you get through these crazy times... let music be your friend, and help you not feel quite so alone. It can make for really amazing company.

"Sometimes music is the only medicine the heart and soul needs."