Some people choose to decompress with a bath, some with wine.

I am in no way professing that these means are not valid—I wouldn’t be myself if I turned down a claw foot tub full of warm water and a few drops of lavender oil, a glass of chardonnay in hand.

But my most cherished moments of unwinding and letting go involve music as the main facilitator.

Here, I’ve put together for you a collection of five songs to listen to at the end of a rough day. Included are a few lyrics which you might choose to bring your attention to.

While listening to the first song, become fully aware of the state you’re in, both mentally and physically, and simply accept  these findings.

During the second, third, and fourth songs, open your mind up to releasing the shackles of the day. Have faith in the bigger picture, trust in the universe.

Throughout the last song, focus on your breath, the patterns and nuances, where it travels. Allow any residual feelings and thoughts to come, and then set them free.

I suggest you follow up with sitting in silence for a few minutes, or until you feel ready to emerge.

Enjoy.

The Time To Sleep by Marble Sounds

You’re falling in a lower gear

A little rest is what you need

You’re rolled up on the seat

Your arms around your knees

Broken Chair by Chris and Thomas

Ooh maybe it’s time to let it go

Ooh maybe it’s time for taking it slow

Ooh maybe it’s time, time, time for anything at all

Time, time, time, to let all fall where it may

Something Beautiful by Alexi Murdoch

May the grace of god be with you always in your heart

May you know the truth inside you from the start

May you find the strength to know you are a

Part of Something beautiful

Time Will Tell by Gregory Alan Isakov

Time, she says, “There’s no turning back, keep your eyes on the tracks”

Through the fields, somewhere there’s blue

Oh, time will tell, she’ll see us through

So Long, Lonesome by Explosions in the Sky

And finally, a song without words that somehow always manages to bring me back to the truth that everything will be okay.

There is always tomorrow, and there are always solacing tunes to get us there.

~

Relephant:

Songs on Repeat: Summertime Favourites.

~

And an extra Relephant bonus:

Author: Jenna Meyer

Volunteer Editor: Brandie Smith/Editor: Renee Picard

Photo: Andrés Nieto Porras/Flickr