Start your day right with a serene music playlist!
I can’t remember the last time I willingly, electively, chose to set my alarm to an angry horn or annoying phone jingle. For years (literally!) I have used the “Clock” app on my phone to sync to a wake up playlist.
Every morning, I wake up to a song randomly chosen from my Spotify “Alarm Playlist.” Those songs are peaceful, serene music that gently stirs me. Some people have said they wouldn’t wake up to something that quiet. I say, don’t knock it ’till you try it!
Not sure where to start? Here are some of the serene music choices that could be found on my “wake up” playlists, past and present!
- Any Other Name – Thomas Newman. A common theme on these playlists are cinema scores. I literally start my day as the main character. Thomas Newman tends to favor gentle piano themes, and the soundtrack to “American Beauty” is no exception! The first few seconds also sound ancient, like the ocean. I might as well be waking up on a beach of dreams. See also…
- Haiku – Thomas Newman. This track is a new add to my serene music alarm playlist. It works on multiple levels. It’s calming, and, being a track from “Finding Dory,” it also reminds me of the ocean. As a result, I connect the song in my brain to a manifestation for the future: waking up on my end of the year cruise ship, sailing the ocean, in a beautiful set of jammies. It gets me eager to start my day, and as a result, I’m happy to get closer to that cruise ship dream!
- The Egg – Thomas Newman. Yes, another Thomas Newman track, from “Finding Nemo.” This one recently left my alarm playlist, because I always cry thinking about it. However, if you’re not so emotionally damaged that you cry just thinking about “Finding Nemo,” this piano theme will wake you up like a gentle forehead kiss!
- Glasgow Love Theme – Craig Armstrong. This will sound familiar to anyone who has ever dreamed of someone saying “To me, you are perfect.” I woke up to this song almost every day that I was in England. It’s stayed on my playlist as a gentle wake-up call to get closer to Christmas, and also as motivation to get to the gym so I can be as pretty as Keira Knightley.
- The Flood – Jackson Mullane. I found this song from an influencer I used to follow. It’s another calm piano track! Serene music like this makes it easier to wake up each morning, even if I’m not 5’7 and living in a bungalow in Hawaii.
- Mirror Lake – Angus MacRae. I haven’t talked enough about how much I loved “Fleabag.” I found this piece through the show, during a very touching moment away from a silent retreat.
- Avril 14th – Aphex Twin. Between my study playlist and my alarm playlist, this song has been on my “most played” list for years. I first heard it in middle school when it was featured in “Marie Antoinette.”
- I Giorni – Ludivico Einaudi. Another long-time presence on the playlist! I feel like my generation discovered this song at the same time years ago. I mean, HIGH SCHOOL years ago. Semi related, “Community” premiered fifteen years ago. Time flies!
- Little Amy: The Apple – Murray Gold. Where my “Doctor Who” fans at? I find that this galactic track acts as the perfect transition from the night sky to the sunrise. Also, nothing like starting your day with a bit of time and space traveling wonderment!
- Free Fallin’ – John Mayer. No offense to Tom Petty, but this cover is way more relaxing. If you have the concern that classical music WON’T wake you up in the morning, acoustic guitar (and yes, the cheers from the live recording) certainly will!
Super loud alarms disturb my karma. Why would I want to wake up to an energy that emits chaos? My playlists help start my morning off in a calm state of mind. If you’re the opposite of a morning person, try the calming playlist technique. The early, smiling bird gets the worm!