Are you feeling a bit out of sync with the spring weather? It’s a good idea to check in with yourself a few times a year, and the changing of the seasons is the perfect time to do it. You can “spring clean” your mental and emotional well-being along with your home environment.
It’s less about removing clutter and more about taking stock of thoughts, feelings and behaviors that you want to manage more intentionally. You may benefit from spending some time in reflection, doing grounding or relaxation exercises, or reviewing and adjusting your wellness habits.
The weather and the time of year can have a big impact on your mental health. If you’re prone to depression or anxiety, changes to your routine and environment can bring out your symptoms.
Depending on where you live, the change of seasons in the spring can signal the beginning or the end of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Even if you don’t have a diagnosable condition, it takes some forethought and planning to care for yourself and live life according to your values.
In this article, we’ll talk about seven ways you can refresh your mental health this spring.
7 ways you can refresh your mental health for the spring season
If you look around at your natural surroundings in the springtime, you can spot examples of rebirth and new beginnings. Spring cleaning is a way of applying this wisdom to your everyday life.
The first step is to reflect and listen to what your gut, your heart and your brain have to say. Pay attention to your feelings and urges and try to recognize any unmet needs. Then you can do some mindful self-care to give yourself a fresh start.
Try using the following strategies to refresh your mental health for the spring season:
Connect with nature
Getting out into the great outdoors comes with mental health benefits such as improved attention, lower stress, better mood, and more empathy and ability to cooperate with others.
It can also lower your risk of several different mental health conditions. Sunlight exposure helps the body synthesize vitamin D, which is associated with improved mood and may play a role in regulating neurotransmitters involved in energy and emotional regulation. You might explore a park near your house, hang out by a lake or go for a bike ride.
Spring clean your physical space
Did you know spring cleaning is good for your mental health? Getting rid of physical clutter can help you feel more focused and comfortable in your living space. It gets you moving, and it can help you feel a sense of accomplishment or control.
Start with a room you spend a lot of time in, like your living room, kitchen or bedroom. Organize and put away any clutter, then clean or dust surfaces.Finish by sweeping and mopping the floor.
Refresh your daily routine
Your spring cleaning spree can include your habits and self-care. You don’t have to set SMART goals or track your activity.
Start by reflecting on the past few weeks and noting when you’ve struggled or had a low mood. Think about strategies that have helped you feel better in the past and visualize how you might make them a part of your routine.
Practice mindfulness during seasonal transitions
Freshen up your mindset by celebrating the change of seasons or spending time in mindful reflection. Put out some seasonal decor or fresh cut flowers while you’re cleaning and rearranging.
Try this mindfulness practice: Close your eyes and imagine you’re breathing in light and warmth, and breathing out old, stale energy. Or try a new yoga practice outside.
Try seasonal foods for mood boosting
Making a seasonal meal plan is another great way to reset and get in the spirit of spring. Some foods that are in season in the spring include vegetables such as asparagus, peas, radishes and spinach, and fruits like strawberries, rhubarb and apricots.
Certain nutrients are known to boost mental health, especially fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B1, riboflavin and calcium. And you can find these nutrients and more in spring-season vegetables and fruits.
Review and adjust goals
June marks the halfway point of the year. Are you working toward any specific goals, and where are you? Do you need to set any new goals or make adjustments?
Setting goals shouldn’t be a source of stress, but a way of living by your values. What do you want your life to look like, and what can you do today to take your first steps in that direction?
Seek professional support if needed
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or you don’t know where to start with your mental and physical spring cleaning, there is help available. A mental health professional can help you understand your thoughts and feelings and find effective ways to manage them. Consider seeing an outpatient therapist, or if you’re having trouble with daily functions, explore higher levels of care.
Revitalize your mental wellness routines this spring at Lightfully
Seasonal transitions offer natural opportunities to reset our mental patterns and create new, healthier habits that support our overall well-being. The goal isn’t to overhaul your entire routine and change your life overnight.
The goal is to start small with steps that are sustainable to make a lasting difference. Try journaling about some things you’re struggling with and choose one intention to set. If a few weeks go by and you’re ready to take on new challenges, go back to your journal and find something else to work on.
Your Lightfully therapists can help you create a structured plan for your mental health spring cleaning that you can stick to. Our Precision Care Model (PCM) focuses on four key areas to help you stay well: your thoughts, feelings, behaviors and relationships. We build each person’s treatment plan around proactive self-care and personalize it to their individual goals.
Do you have questions about treatment? Contact us today or reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team to set up an assessment. Let’s create your plan for a great spring and summer and a brighter future.
