The cold has been painfully unbearable. This is the time of year when we start to long for the sun, the warmth and a break from the assignments that keep piling on.

Here is a playlist that will take you back to the summertime for those days when you need to step away from your work and start planning out your beach trip.

“The Sound Of Sunshine” by Michael Franti & Spearhead

No song can put you in a good mood quite like this one. With the sun setting so early and rising so late, dreaming of sunshine is all we’ve been doing. If this song doesn’t make you want to dive into the ocean and get a little salt in your hair, I don’t know what will.

“Gold Snafu” by Sticky Fingers

This is the ultimate “top-down-on-my-jeep-while-driving-to-the-beach” type of song. You know the type I’m talking about. Next time you’re driving to campus or running to class from your dorm, this is the perfect chill song to help you picture yourself commuting to the shore instead.

“Candy Wrappers” by Summer Salt

Yes, the opening riff of this one sounds a little like it should be on a “Spongebob Squarepants” episode. But what yells summertime more than a pineapple under the sea? Seriously, this song is an absolute bop. It’s a little relaxing, a little upbeat, a little rock and roll and a little tropical. Basically it’s got all you need to throw you back to the summertime and break you out of those February blues.

“Free” by Donavon Frankenreiter

Some ukulele and a little optimism is what we all need while we push through the first few weeks of freezing temperatures. We all need to feel a little more “free” from the stresses of getting back into the swing of things so chill out with this upbeat soft rock summertime jam.

“Seasick Dream” by Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson is an absolute legend when it comes to the guitar. It was hard to pick just one of his songs for this mix, but this one is the perfect combo of relaxing music and soothing vocals. Everything about this song makes you want to hop on the next flight to California to catch some rays while the Midwest and East Coast get blasted by a polar vortex.

“Surfin’ U.S.A.” by The Beach Boys

What’s a summertime playlist without The Beach Boys? This song really doesn’t even need an explanation, but when you’re feeling bogged down by the cold, take a break with one of the most iconic songs ever written. I know that The Beach Boys aren’t the only ones who “can’t wait ’til June.”

“Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

We are all feeling stressed and probably quite overwhelmed about the piles of work stacking up on our desks. So when you are starting to get a little more overwhelmed than you would like to be, take a chill break with one of the most relaxed Hawaiian singer-songwriters ever.

Follow this link to listen to the playlist on Spotify.