After a long and treacherous winter, spring is on the way and I couldn’t be more excited. Don’t get me wrong, winter is very beautiful and the weather here in Pennsylvania allows for many fun winter activities but, I’m in need of warm weather. As spring approaches most of us have plans to do some sort of “Spring Cleaning”. That may include clearing out old clothes from your closet, tidying up an area you’ve been neglecting, or sprucing up your room or home. All of these examples are fairly common and they are normally what comes to mind when spring cleaning is mentioned. While physical tidying up is important and very beneficial, have you ever thought about how you can clean up your mind? Let’s discuss how to keep your wellness in mind this season.
Winter Blues
Winter is a time when many people experience spells of low energy, sadness, moodiness, and lack of motivation. The decrease in sunshine and warmth leads to spending less time outside. We may never really notice how much being outdoors contributes to our health. For people experiencing depression, anxiety, S.A.D (seasonal affective disorder) and other conditions that may alter mood, this dreary weather may have more of an impact on you than you know. Personally, towards the end of winter I start to notice just how much I miss the sun. I often daydream about being outside or at the beach just soaking up the rays an warmth. Then I come back to reality and trudge through the snow to get to and from classes. Ugh.
Switch into Spring
A new season is an excellent opportunity to take some time to focus on your mental and physical health because both contribute to your overall wellness. In order to fight feeling low, I suggest taking advantage of the weather. Spend time outside whenever you can. Studies show that getting exposure to light for just 20 to 30 minutes a day is effective for boosting moods. Exercise, reading, homework, eating, and relaxing are all able to be done outdoors. Find a way to incorporate nature into your day, it’s good for you.
- Go for a walk
- Take a drive
- Show off your new sunglasses
- Soak up that vitamin D
Practice Mindfulness
Being aware of and in tune with your emotions, thoughts, and feelings. This chart gives a few more examples of how to develop yourself and increase your wellness. Give it a try and see how it goes! Happy Spring!