Summer Sounds for Wellness: A Mindful Playlist

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Disconnect, press play, and drift away

Music is a fantastic accompaniment to summer activities. Whether you’re basking in the sunshine on holiday, enjoying a staycation, or simply making the most of longer, brighter days, summer offers a wonderful opportunity to be more intentional about the music you listen to. The right songs can help you relax, reconnect with yourself, and enhance everyday moments of wellbeing.

As a performer, writer and academic, music is central to Dr Madeline Castrey’s work but our expert Musicologist also uses it as a way to unwind and relax. Here are some of Madeline’s go-to summer songs, along with simple wellness activities you can pair with them to make your listening experience even more mindful and restorative.

Sunrise - Norah Jones

This song creates the perfect atmosphere for mindful breathing.

As you listen, try inhaling for a count of four and exhaling for a count of four, allowing your breath to flow naturally with the phrases of the music. Notice how your body begins to soften and settle as you focus on the rhythm.

Alongside Norah’s gorgeous, soothing vocal tone, you’ll hear the wonderfully earthy sounds of plucked bass and acoustic guitar, complemented by her signature piano style. I also love the heavenly backing vocals, which seem to float effortlessly through the track and add to its calming quality.

Put Your Records On – Corinne Bailey Rae

An absolute classic.

This song is gentle enough to help you relax while providing a subtle groove that encourages movement. It’s an ideal accompaniment to some gentle stretching.

Try changing your stretch or position with each new section of the song. Roll your shoulders, reach your arms overhead, stretch your sides, or gently twist through your spine. Listening for the song’s structure while moving mindfully creates a wonderful connection between body and mind, helping to release tension and bring you into the present moment.

Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves

No summer playlist would be complete without this one.

The activity here is exactly what the title suggests: get outside and move your body. Whether it’s a walk around the block, a stroll through a local park, or simply a few laps around the garden, use the song as motivation to get some fresh air and sunshine.

You could even try stepping in time with the beat. This is something I do regularly and find incredibly effective for strengthening the connection between listening and movement. It’s also a brilliant mood booster.

Better Together - Jack Johnson

This song is the perfect soundtrack to a slow summer breakfast or a peaceful coffee break.

For the duration of the song, challenge yourself to engage fully with your senses. Notice the taste of your drink, the texture of your food, the warmth of your mug, or the feeling of the breeze on your skin.

We often rush through these small moments without really experiencing them. Allow this song to create a pocket of calm in your day and give yourself permission to savour the simple things.

Bloom - The Paper Kites

This is one of my favourite songs to journal to.

Its atmospheric soundscape and gentle melody create the ideal environment for reflection and self-awareness. If you’re new to journalling, keep it simple. Try writing:

Three wins from your day
Three things you’re grateful for
How you’re feeling right now
Something you’re looking forward to

There is no right or wrong way to journal. The goal is simply to create space to check in with yourself. This song’s beautifully introspective quality makes it particularly effective for helping you turn your attention inward.

Why Music Supports Wellbeing

Music has a unique ability to influence our mood, energy levels, and emotional state. It can help us feel calmer, more motivated, more connected, and even more present in our daily lives. By pairing music with mindful activities such as breathing exercises, movement, sensory awareness, or journalling, we can transform ordinary moments into meaningful wellbeing practices.

This summer, consider creating intentional listening moments rather than simply having music playing in the background. You may be surprised by how much more restorative and enjoyable those moments become.

Other Songs I Love for Summer

Riptide – Vance Joy
She Moves In Her Own Way – The Kooks
Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
On Top of the World – Imagine Dragons
My Girl – The Temptations
Best of My Love – The Emotions
We Built This City – Starship
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go – Wham!

Whatever your soundtrack looks like this summer, I hope it encourages you to slow down, tune in, and enjoy the season a little more mindfully.

Find out more and get TheMusicLicence in time for the summer months by visiting pplprs.co.uk/get-themusiclicence/ or by giving us a call on 0116 290 0525.

Author

Dr. Madeline Castrey

Dr Madeline Castrey is a musicologist, performer and writer, with a PhD in Music from the University of Westminster. She began her studies at the London College of Music at 16, later completing a Master’s degree at 19 before moving into doctoral research.

Alongside her academic work, she has performed in West End productions including Les Misérables, Evita and The Lion King, as well as in opera, television and across London venues. Her research focuses on musicology and the relationship between music and wellbeing, and she has spearheaded a number of projects exploring how music can support positive outcomes.

Her work has been featured across national media including BBC News, Sky News and Channel 5, and her writing has appeared in publications such as Good Housekeeping, Prima and Breathe. She has also worked in higher education, becoming a Senior Lecturer at 25 and later running a postgraduate academy, and she continues to deliver workshops and outreach programmes centred on music and wellbeing.

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