Insomnia Playlist – Daytime Energy

I literally cannot remember a day that I haven't felt tired. (Welcome to life with insomnia, yes?)

It might not always be first thing in the morning when I sit down to work, but it's almost definitely sometime around lunchtime, and again in the early afternoon, and at that 2 PM slump time, and sometimes even around dinner too. While caffeine, fresh air, exercise, and snacks can help me push through the exhaustion or even feel a little more energized during the day, there's one constant I always turn to – music!!

I have always had a deep appreciation and love for music

I was absolutely one of those kids in the early days of AOL who would constantly be changing their AIM status updates with quotes and song lyrics – words that were far more articulate than I knew how to be in those days.

Note: If this reference goes above your head, just smile and keep reading :)

So, it's no surprise to me that when I need some pumping up, or some soothing, or anything in between, really, I turn to music to guide me! No matter where I am, I can find the tunes. On my phone or my computer, I usually look towards Spotify – where I can pick 1 song or 1 playlist or even 1 song-inspired radio station to jam out to.

If I'm in the car, I'm infamous for searching the radio until I find that perfect tune. My husband sometimes laughs at how often I turn the station if I'm not into whatever's playing at the moment.

What’s on my pump-up playlist?

My number 1 go-to song is "Pump Up the Jam." I know, it screams 90's kid so hard, but it's been a true friend through the years. One or 2 or even 3 repeats of the song at a decent volume does indeed energize me, refocus me, uplift me, and put me in a better mood.

A solid second choice is the "Greatest Show" song from The Greatest Showman soundtrack (even though I've never seen the movie). It has just the right combination of sounds and words and always puts a smile on my face.

Other songs on my playlist include:

• "Shut Up & Dance" (Walk The Moon)
• "Let's Get Loud" (Jennifer Lopez)
• "Run the World" (Girls) (Beyonce)
• "Girl on Fire" (Alicia Keys)
• "F**kin Perfect" (P!nk)
• "Wrecking Ballv (Miley Cyrus)
• "Lose Yourself" (Eminem)
• "Born this Way" (Lady Gaga)
• "I Will Wait" (Mumford & Sons)
• "Brave" (Sara Bareilles)
• "Stronger" (Kelly Clarkson)
• "Look What You Made Me Do" (Taylor Swift)
• "What About Us?" (P!nk)
• "Compass" (Lady A)
• "Can't Stop the Feeling" (Trolls Soundtrack, Justin Timberlake)
• "Into the Unknown" (Frozen Soundtrack, Idina Menzel) I blame my toddler for this one!

Does music energize you?

What's on your pump-up list? How often do you play these songs? Are they first thing in the morning dancing around in your underwear while getting dressed tunes, or are they in the car jams? At your desk with headphones songs?

Tell me, how does music energize you? And more importantly, what songs would you add to this list?!