The first thing I do when I come home from work, or well, after I have thrown my bag on the floor and kicked out my high heels, is pressing the play-button of the CD-player. For me, rocking some mellow tunes is the way to chill out after a long day.
Just kick back and relax for two or three songs, or dance through the living room and sing along: it definitely gives me new energy. For a moment, my stress just seems to vaporize in thin air.
It goes without saying that your personal taste dictates what chills you out. What some may find relaxing may drive others to the brink of insanity. For me personally, there is one album I always listen to before, during or after a stressful situation: Putumayo – Women of Africa. Especially the song ‘Le Tshephile Mang’ (‘Who do you trust’) gets the good vibes and positive juices flowing. The song is about learning to laugh and be happy, instead of clinging to the negative stuff.
Variety is the spice of life, so I asked some friends about their favorite chill or uplifting songs. These are the (very diverse) answers:
-Santana – Samba pa ti
-Mariana and the diamonds – Bubblegum Bitch
-Buena Vista Social Club – De Camino A La Vereda
-Jamiroquai – Butterfly
-Azymuth – Last summer in Rio
-Queen – Don’t stop me now
-The Isley Brothers – Contagious
-Kings of Leon – Arizona
-Sabrina Starke – Do for love
-Angus & Julia Stone – Private lawns
-Mumford and Sons – The Cave
-Kid Cudi ft. Steve Aoki – Pursuit of Happiness
-Coldplay – Trouble
-Flo Rida – Good feeling
Maybe it can serve as inspiration for a nice playlist! What do you listen to when you are stressed out?
Text by Danielle Meester