How Can You Improve Your Mental Health This Spring?
Spring is a great time to refresh mental health habits by spending more time outdoors, increasing physical activity, practicing mindfulness, reconnecting with supportive relationships, and setting achievable personal goals. Small, consistent changes can improve mood, reduce stress, and increase overall well-being.
Spring is starting to poke its head out! As we shake off the winter blues and symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, we may be thinking about the season ahead of us. Springtime brings thoughts of spring cleaning, new habits, more energy and daylight, and opportunities to have a fresh start after winter.
Signs You Need a Mental Health Reset:
- Burnout
- Low motivation
- Chronic stress
- Poor sleep
- Feeling disconnected
4 Ways to Refresh Your Mental Health This Spring:
- Freshen up your mindfulness practice
- Make self care a part of your daily routine
- Set goals you’ll actually accomplish
- Focus on personal growth goals
Freshen Up Your Mindfulness Practice
Mindfulness is a practice that benefits us, no matter when we practice it. But the warmer weather, the sound of birds, the blooming nature can offer a peacefulness and a revitalizing energy that makes a rich opportunity to practice mindfulness.
“Springtime offers lots of opportunities for mindfulness. Even just sitting outside in the springtime can be a mindfulness practice. There are so many parts of your environment coming alive and interacting with one another, paying attention to the sounds and smells and sights around you can be a simple way to practice grounding yourself.”
Some ways you can work on mindfulness in the spring can include:
- Sitting outside for 10 minutes a day
- Embracing seasonal cooking
- Trying walking meditation
- Doing a little spring cleaning
For additional guidance, read our article on: 3 Ways to Freshen Up Your Mindfulness Practice This Spring
Make Self Care a Part of Your Daily Routine
Developing habits is never easy, but the burst of energy we get from the start of spring can help us kick start that process–but it’s important to remember ourselves when developing those routines.
“It might seem like a lot of work to take care of yourself every day. After all, you’ve been doing fine with a little self-care here and there up until now, right? Even if that’s true for you, this year has been unlike any other, and just because the number on the calendar is about to flip doesn’t mean things will magically change. We are in the middle of a really tough situation, and it’s only natural to need more support when things get tough.”
Making self care part of your daily routine can look like:
- Writing down what self care means to you so you don’t forget
- Anchoring your habits to things you do each day so they are naturally worked into your routine
- Trusting your gut on if something is helping or if “self care” is becoming too rigid
- Using an accountability buddy when trying a new habit
For additional guidance, read our article on: How to Make Self Care a Part of Your Daily Routine
Set Goals You’ll Actually Accomplish
New goals aren’t just for the new year. But, just like New Year’s resolutions, when we find ourselves setting new goals that don’t take our day to day realities into account, we’re not actually setting ourselves up for success. As we start to set new goals for the season, remember to take your specific circumstances into consideration when setting new goals.
“When the goals you set are ones that are fun to achieve, you’ll begin to love the goal setting process. It can be a form of self care: finding things that you are excited to try and pushing yourself to try them. And when you enjoy the process, you’re more likely to continue on setting goals after you’ve achieved your first one!”
One way to set goals you accomplish is by using the “SMART” method:
- Specific: When your goals are simple & specific you will have a much clearer idea of what needs to be done to achieve them. Vague goals are hard to define and hard to follow through on.
- Measurable: How will you know when you have achieved this goal? A measurable goal is a goal with a clear objective.
- Achievable: Goals should motivate you to try something new or to work harder–they should push you and excite you! But setting unattainable goals doesn’t actually push you, it sets you up to feel disappointed and to give up on goals altogether.
- Relevant: Your goal should matter to you. When setting it ask, is this goal relevant to my life? To my values? To my interests?
- Time Bound: Giving yourself a time frame in which to achieve your goal can help you structure your progress, and keep track of how close you are to achieving it.
For additional guidance, read our article on How to Set Goals You’ll Actually Accomplish
Focus on Personal Growth Goals
Now that we’re coming out of our winter hibernation, folks are starting to dip their toes back into the dating world! If you’re looking for love to bloom this spring, don’t forget the importance of self compassion as you begin or continue to put yourself out there.
“When you factor self compassion into the experience, it’s a reminder to check in with yourself. Ask yourself how you’re feeling and be compassionate to the answer. If you’re feeling like someone isn’t giving you the same care or attention you’re giving them, self compassion allows you to recognize that as a need of yours that isn’t being met, whereas self criticism would have just judged you for being “too needy.””
What is self compassion?
Self compassion is the practice of extending the same compassion that you would extend to others to yourself. That means you’re not assuming the worst of yourself, you’re giving yourself patience and understanding, and reminding yourself that your mistakes are not your identity.
For additional guidance, read our article on Why Self Compassion is Important for Dating
Frequently Asked Questions on Refreshing Mental Health Habits in Spring:
Why does spring improve mood?
Longer daylight hours, warmer temperatures, and increased opportunities for outdoor activity can positively influence mood and energy levels.
What are healthy spring self-care habits?
Healthy spring self-care habits include exercising regularly, spending time outdoors, prioritizing sleep, practicing mindfulness, and maintaining social connections.
How can I reset my mental health this spring?
A spring mental health reset may involve evaluating habits, setting goals, reducing stressors, and creating routines that support well-being.
Why do seasonal changes affect mental health?
Changes in sunlight, weather, schedules, and routines can influence mood, energy, and emotional well-being.
What are good spring wellness goals?
Examples include improving sleep, increasing physical activity, reducing screen time, practicing gratitude, and strengthening relationships.
Spring Mental Health Checklist:
- Get outside daily
- Refresh sleep habits
- Increase movement
- Practice mindfulness
- Reconnect socially
Key Takeaways:
- Spring is an ideal time to refresh wellness habits.
- Small changes can improve mood and reduce stress.
- Outdoor activity, mindfulness, and healthy routines support mental health.
- Consistent self-care practices often produce lasting benefits.
- Additional resources can help deepen these habits.
If you’re looking for expert mental health help in Lake in the Hills, Elgin, Woodstock, Illinois, or online throughout Illinois, our community of therapists is here to support you. Get in touch today to get started.
Pivotal Counseling Center is now accepting Medicaid including Blue Cross Community Medicaid, Meridian Medicaid, and Molina Medicaid for outpatient counseling.
