For many fighting depression, anxiety, or many of the other attributes that get our minds spinning is counterproductive directions, how do we calm down, change our energy, focus, and relax.

What works for everyone, and is considered even more critical for the troubled mind, is chanting. “Chanting is Half the Battle” \~ Paramahansa Yogananda. Chanting awakens the heart and gives the mind something to hold onto. There is also something with the act of doing and actively participating that is extremely helpful for deep meditation. Chanting aids in focusing the mind and feelings; and when done with every deepening concentration on the thoughts behind the words and the vibration brings a Divine response. While many devotees chant those prescribed by disciples of the great Master, any simple melodic, repeating versus, that up lift the spirit and open the heart are appropriate. In many ways it is like a mantra being repeated over and over again with slight variations in cadence and melody. 

At the end of a long busy day, if I want to change my mood / energy so that I can sit still and meditate, I will sit at my harmonium (a devotional instrument of India) and chant. The effects are amazing. I don’t think any would be surprised of the impact that music of any kind (it’s self a product of vibration) can change us at a vibrational level.