“I make it a priority to use music as a way to center myself, especially at the start of the day,” Rita Ora tells Apple Music. “Because I travel so much, music really helps me disconnect from whatever environment I’m in and create a sense of familiarity and calm.” The multitalented star plugs into a wide range of sounds when she needs to “zone out and settle in,” from Black Sabbath and Bon Iver to Gilberto Gil and Lana Del Rey. “I usually gravitate towards soul and R&B. They help me slow down, breathe, and connect with how I’m feeling,” she says. “I also love jazz—‘In a Sentimental Mood’ by Duke Ellington and John Coltrane is one of my absolute favorites. Every time I listen to it, I feel like I’ve stepped into a cozy little bar in New York. Somewhere warm, dimly lit, and completely tucked away from the world. It gives me this sense of safety, like nothing outside can touch me while I’m in that moment. It reminds me of a world before the internet!” And while Ora has generously shared her own Music That Soothes Me playlist here, she’s keen to emphasize that the best way to wind down is whichever way suits you best. “One of my biggest tips for relaxing and relieving stress is to create your own bubble—your own safe space where you don’t feel judged or pressured by anyone,” she says. “It’s so easy to get pulled into worrying about what other people think, and that can make it hard to truly switch off. But everyone has their own version of what relaxation looks like, and stress relief isn’t one-size-fits-all. The key is to figure out what genuinely works for you and to own that without apologizing for it.”