10 Feel-Good Songs Guaranteed To Help You Through Hard Times

Heather Cariou is the author of Sixtyfive Roses: A Sister’s Memoir, which recounts her family’s story of love, loss, and survival. Learn more on her website. Heather shares some of her favorite music–ten feel-good songs that have helped get her through tough times. Listen to them whenever you need a boost!

I’ve created my own CD of "feel-good music" that I listen to whenever I need a boost. Here’s a small sample: Download them from iTunes or buy the CD’s and put them on your iPod!

1. Healing by Indie Arie Healing begins with the lyric "I release all disappointment…" We all tend to hold on to our disappointments, large and small, and they settle in the crevices of our being. When I listen to this song I let go of them, and free up my energy to tackle life afresh.

2. Before the Parade Passes By by Victoria Clark Before the Parade Passes By reminds me I’m not finished yet, there’s still so much more in me!

3. Something’s Coming (Album Version) by Barbra Streisand Something’s Coming picks my hopes and dreams up off the floor where they’ve fallen on a bad day.

4. Roll With It by Steve Winwood Roll With It gets me loose and reminds me not to focus on the negative.

5. It’s My Turn by Diana Ross . Well, the title says it all, doesn’t it? Sometimes I feel like I can’t go on because I deplete my energies focusing on everyone else’s needs. This song helps me take my power back–without guilt!

6. You Are Loved [Don't Give Up] (Album Version) by Josh Groban This song makes me think of my late sister Pam, whose motto was "I’m not giving up." Even though it’s Josh Groban’s singing, it feels like Pam is talking to me through this song, telling me not to give up.

7. I Am Loved by Karen Drucker Okay, I guess I’ve got this thing about being loved. Don’t we all? Except this song reminds me that I am loved by my own higher self, that I am enough, I have enough, I do enough.

8. Gentle With Myself by Karen Drucker This is an especially comforting song when I’ve had bad news, or an argument with someone, or I’m just feeling spiritually, emotionally or physically low.

9. I Am So Blessed by Karen Drucker When I have sung this song out loud–as I often do on my daily walks–it turns my head and my energy right around. If I’ve been feeling sorry for myself, this song stops me cold.

10. I Will Not Leave You Comfortless by Jan Phillips The writer/singer of this song is a dear friend and mentor. When I listen, sometimes I hear singing to me, but sometimes I hear God, or my sister, or even my own higher self.