Songs to Boost Your Mood (Opposite Action & Self-Soothe, DBT)

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It’s amazing what a difference a day can make.  It’s also amazing how one song can either match or change your current mood.  In DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), one of the skills we are encouraged to use when we wish to change how we are feeling is called “Opposite Action.” I like to use music to invoke an opposite action when I am feeling sad, insecure, lonely, or depressed.

I’ve gathered a few songs that I find helpful.  It helps if the tempo is upbeat, but as you’ll see with most of my choices, this isn’t the case. It’s the lyrics that really help. They speak to the common experiences and doubts that we all share, whether we have Borderline Personality Disorder or not.

Check them out if you’d like, and if you have certain songs that help you out of a funk or create a preferred emotion when you are down, please share what they are in the comments area.  I’ll put together a list, and your input can help other people.

Enjoy!

“The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World

Download “The Middle” MP3

“Hold On” by Wilson Phillips

Download “Hold On” MP3

“Amazing” by Aerosmith

Download “Amazing” MP3

“Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M.

Download “Everybody Hurts” MP3

4 replies
  1. primaryinfertile
    primaryinfertile says:

    Looooove todays blog! Love the songs specially Amazing by Aerosmith. I listen to Breathe(2 AM) by Anna Nalick and Perfect by Pink or these last two which might not make a lot of sense as to why they help but I listen to them when I'm upset as well, Going the distance by Cake and what's up by 4 non blondes.

    Reply
  2. primaryinfertile
    primaryinfertile says:

    Looooove todays blog! Love the songs specially Amazing by Aerosmith. I listen to Breathe(2 AM) by Anna Nalick and Perfect by Pink or these last two which might not make a lot of sense as to why they help but I listen to them when I'm upset as well, Going the distance by Cake and what's up by 4 non blondes.

    Reply
  3. HealingFromBPD
    HealingFromBPD says:

    Hello Lovely One. So glad you enjoyed today's post. I couldn't get "Amazing" out of my mind all day. I'll have to check out some of the songs you mentioned, because I am only familiar with "Perfect" and "What's Up." The 4 Non Blondes song ALWAYS makes me smile, and I shout it from the top of my lungs whenever it comes on! 🙂

    Reply
  4. HealingFromBPD
    HealingFromBPD says:

    Hello Lovely One. So glad you enjoyed today's post. I couldn't get "Amazing" out of my mind all day. I'll have to check out some of the songs you mentioned, because I am only familiar with "Perfect" and "What's Up." The 4 Non Blondes song ALWAYS makes me smile, and I shout it from the top of my lungs whenever it comes on! 🙂

    Reply

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