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Baseball fans know that every professional player has a walk-up song – a snippet from a tune that pumps up a player when he steps up to bat. On the Texas Rangers,
Elvis Andrus currently rocks to Yandel, “Encantadora.” Rouggie likes Yandel too. Elvis once swung to Justin Timberlake’s “Suit and Tie.” Mitch Moreland pounds to Aldean’s “Lights Come On,” reflecting his catfish huntin’, good ol' boy self. Each player picks a tune that gets him in the zone and brings his full self to the plate. After my recent relapse with depression, I decided to create my own spin on this concept of the walk-up. I built a Mental Health Resilience Playlist.
My team of medical experts at UT Southwestern suggested I try some new tactics to maintain my mental health – Cognitive Behavior Therapy and new forms of meditation. I tried these and decided to create something of my own, too. Taking the lead from some guided meditations that suggest thinking of someone who cares deeply about you – I decided to pick songs that reflected either people or experiences with a positive pulse.
A Mental Health Resilience Playlist is not evidenced-based therapy, but I sing out loud a lot lately. I’ve caught this woman smiling in the rear view mirror recently, and it turns out to be me. Maybe this idea might work for some of you too. My playlist and the stories behind the songs are below.
--“Get Out the Map” Indigo Girls. This song feeds my explorer soul. No real experience or person to it, just love the words.
--“No Creo en el Jamás” by Juanes. English translation: I don’t believe in never. My friend Jorge Correa , who translated Struck by Living into Decidí Vivir, first told me about this song. This song helped keep him positive. Every time I hear "No Creo. . .", I think of Jorge y practico Español.
--“Gratitude” Nichole Nordeman – title speaks for itself. Given to me by my running buddy Sara Tranchina
--“Perfect Storm” David Wilcox – David played this at my 50th birthday party. Life is change, change looks frightening. Watch that wind, I’ve been warned. But I live to feel the lightning, in this perfect storm. Need I say more?
--“It’s Not Just Gonna Happen” Helen Darling. Met Helen a few years ago. I belt out this song with the windows rolled down. No one else except myself can turn my pain into passion. it’s up to me if I’m ever gonna be loving and living and laughing. It’s not just gonna happen. I wrote about meeting Helen in Music as a Healing Instrument.
--“It’s Gonna Be Alright” Brice Beaird. Brice, besides being one of the finest human beings on the planet, rocks this song inspired by the events of 9/11.
--“Getting Ready” Patty Griffin – Saw Patty perform this song in a little place in Santa Fe with friends Amy Wolfe and Kristi Jamason. Brought the house down. Still can see the bass player, Bryn Davies, gorgeous, flaming-haired woman, flinging that bass around like a tooth pick.
--“Inside of My Head” David Wilcox – asked David to play this song and he could not remember it. WHAT? Obviously the song had a target market of one, but it scored high with this target market!
--“Can’t Stop the Feeling” Justin Timberlake. Just released on my birthday, May 6th and given to my by Kristi Bernstein. Thank you, Kristi. Thank you, Justin.
--“All Will Be Well” Gabe Dixon. Just saw Dixon perform at the Bluebird in Nashville and have fallen in love with every song on the Gabe Dixon Band album. Thank you, Emily Hillsman for bringing me Gabe.
The list goes on – asked my husband and kids to give me a song from them so I can think of them and sing along. Figured my top ten songs will give you the concept and you can create your own resilience playlist for Mental Health Month. If you do, please send me the list. Or send me a song with a great beat and message that you think I need to hear.
I’d love to listen.
PS: Click here to see the entire Texas Ranger’s Player Music.
PPS: UT Southwestern is partnering with the Dallas Symphony for a seminar on "Music and the Brain" on May 21at the Dallas City Performance Hall as part of the Soluna Festival. I will be there, will you? Click here to register.
For more information about Julie K Hersh or Struck by Living, check out the Struck by Living website.
