50 Songs Practically Guaranteed to Boost Your Mood

Whenever you want to feel a particular way — whether that's energized for a workout, in your feels after a breakup, or cozy at a holiday party — few things can impact your feelings and set the vibe you want like putting on the right music. Music can lift our spirits, help us get in touch with our emotions, support us during difficult times, and get us in the mood for love.

A new report from MRC Data revealed that in light of the pandemic, people are "relying on musical optimism to get them through the aftermath of a stressful year." So if you're struggling with COVID burnout, you might want to consider giving yourself a little optimism boost and self-care through the power of music. Here's what you need to know about the healing power of music, as well as a list of 50 of Pandora's hand-picked songs for happiness and healing.

Music's Effect on Mood

Music has been shown to have a profound impact on mood, as well as general health and wellness. According the NorthShore University Health System, music can significantly improve mood, reduce depression and anxiety, and increase emotional expression.

These mood benefits aren't just pleasant to experience, they actually improve your physical health. NorthShore reports that music's benefits include reduced heart rate and blood pressure, improved blood flow, reduced pain, and decreased likelihood for overeating. It even shows marked results for improving Alzheimer's outcomes, which is part of the reason music therapy has become an increasingly popular treatment for dementia.

Trends in Music Throughout History

If we take a look back through recent history, it's interesting to note how music trends seem to relate to world events. Since COVID hit, people are looking for more uplifting beats — and this isn't the first time a link between major global change and music has been spotted.

During World War II, American music trends primarily featured romantic themes and upbeat styles. Singers like Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and The Andrews Sisters rose to fame, while swing music gained popularity in the collective listenership. Music that focused too much on wartime themes was generally not favored by the public — people seemingly wanted to focus on happier, more nostalgic themes that helped them feel a sense of normalcy during an incredibly chaotic time.

The next time the US experienced a major upheaval was during the '60s and '70s, when issues like feminism and civil rights came into the spotlight. Adding to the themes of systemic change were the Cold War and the prevalence of protests over the Vietnam War. During these eras, musical diversity increased dramatically, bringing with it themes about race, gender, anti-war sentiment, and systemic oppression. New sub-genres began to appear, including psychedelic rock, which reflected the collective emphasis on progressivism.

The relationship of popular music to world events is vast and fascinating — but it's easy to see that during times of upheaval, people seem to find a great deal of fulfillment and relief through music. COVID times are no different. Whether music helps us articulate our trauma, boost our mood, or convey our political beliefs, it's clear we can count on music to help us channel our emotions in a productive way.

The Happiest Songs of All Time

Last month, Pandora debuted new stations specifically catering to those looking for a smattering of positivity. Here are just 50 (out of many!) of their hand-picked songs practically guaranteed to get your hands clapping and your heart fluttering in a *very* good way, even during turbulent times.

Tune in to Pandora's Handpicked 100: Happy Shuffle, Get Happy, Happy Dance, Feel Good R&B and Rap Jubilee stations, or add these songs to your own playlist for an instant mood-boost.