My Migraine Playlist

Music can reach into the deepest parts of our soul and bring us joy when we can’t seem to smile, bring us comfort when anxiety is high, and bring us peace when we feel a deep-seated uneasiness.

The healing power of music

Sometimes music can wrap up us like a blanket and make us feel understood when nothing else can. Living with migraine has left me feeling a lot of these emotions and more often and I turn to music to bring me healing when it seems out of sight.

Music is one of the most important nourishing agents in my life, and I usually opt for soft sounds that don't cause any sharp pain.

What's on my migraine playlist?

Here are a few songs that fill me up when I am exhausted, narrow, and beat down from migraine that help me to feel connected to the complex world we live in.

Alice Coltrane - "Turiya And Ramakrishna"

This song to me feels like surrender. It makes me feel deeply self-reflective and contemplative. It is solemn and so gentle...but confident. When I listen to it, I imagine myself greeting migraine in the rain, and surrendering myself to letting cool raindrops soothe away my pain and sorrows, rinsing away tears and leaving me refreshed and hopeful afterward.

Erik Satie - "Gymnopédie No 1"

This song is so ethereal and almost spooky at times...yet so light at others. It reminds me of what it felt like to be an admittedly mischievous but innocent child, and the different waves of dark and light feel similar to the see-saw like emotional states I often feel with migraine.

Mum - "Finally We Are No One"

This album is the album I dream about being the soundtrack to life after migraine. To me, it feels reminiscent of a past of deep pain but the music pushes forward, lighter and brighter, almost like floating towards space, to a future of so much hope and unknown exploration. It makes me feel like I am transported to a simpler existence.

Billie Holiday - "When You’re Smiling"

There is nothing so soothing as Billie Holiday over light and beautiful jazz. I love listening to this song and a lot of other Billie Holiday softly when I am staying in. She knew how to really convey emotion, and her music makes me feel like there are others who understand what pain can truly feel like. The song encourages me to smile, even when it is difficult to.

Taylor McFerrin - "Early Riser"

Yep, that is Bobby (of "Don’t Worry, Be Happy") McFerrin’s son. This album feels like what walking through an enchanted and beautiful forest would feel like. It’s so bright and positive and beautiful and fills me up with peace and a sense of hope and freedom. I love putting it on when I am feeling the darkest parts of migraine’s limitations creep into my thoughts. It gives me hope and makes me feel like there are a lot of possibilities again. There is something about dancey yet soft music that makes me want to dream.

What songs do you like to listen to that help you cope with migraine, or make you think of migraine? Let’s discuss in the comments!