Spring is often associated with new life. The cold grey winter skies turn into sunshine as spring emerges. While it is common to slow down in winter months it is also true to awaken during the spring. It can feel so good coming out of a season of dormancy and rest, but it is important to honor limitations during a spring resurgence. Here are a few spring mental health tips to carry into your next season.
Getting enough sleep is a common tip for mental health improvement but it is not always easy to know where to start creating new habits. Days can get so busy, and it can be hard to prioritize rest with that never-ending to-do list. The trick is to establish a routine; decide a time that works for you to allow yourself to relax before shutting down for the day. When that time arrives, set your lists and projects aside and agree with yourself to wait until tomorrow to pick them back up. Turn screens down, or off, and spend your time journaling, meditating, breathing, reading, or whatever helps slow you down. Limiting caffeine during the day can help this process run much smoother. If that feels hard, try tricking yourself by switching to decaf a few hours before bed. Take time to check in with yourself and allow your mind and body to rest.
Prioritizing nutrition, at face value, sounds more like a body image tip than a mental health tip but nutritional deficiencies can show up as fatigue, low mood, and irritability to name just a few symptoms. One way to combat this would be to focus on getting balance within your diet. It is not so much about restricting foods, as it is incorporating diversity on your plate. Small changes can be impactful, like trading the French fries for a side salad, or adding some sauteed veggies to your taco night. Healthy eating will include fruits, veggies, whole-grains, dairy, and protein. Proper nutrition also includes adequate hydration which is shown to decrease anxiety and depression, as well as reduce stress and mental fog. One of the best things you can do for your mind is to take care of your body.
Stress is a natural human response to difficult situations. While it is a normal, sometimes our perceived stresses can put us in a perpetual state of worry or dread. The idea alone of practicing stress management can feel a bit overwhelming. Stress management is a generalized term covering a wide range of techniques used to improve day to day functioning. Listening to soothing music is shown to slow your heart rate, reducing stress hormones. Writing down what is stressful can put your chaotic mind into more organized thoughts. Exercise and intentional movement are proven ways to lower stress and boost endorphin production. Taking a 15-minute daily walk can do wonders for your body and your mind. There are many ways to lower your stress levels by incorporating new habits into your routine.
We can all agree that what works best for one person may not be a best practice for another, and that is okay. We all come to the table with different needs, goals, and lifestyles. Adequate sleep, proper nutrition, and stress management are only a few ways to slow down and take care of yourself. As life starts to get increasingly busy with warmer longer days and never-ending to-do lists, it is important to stay centered and grounded. Prioritizing your mental and physical health ensures that you can show up 100% day to day. What would you add to the list to help boost mental health as Spring fast approaches?
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