Spring is here and it’s finally warming up outside. New seasons bring all kinds of changes like wardrobe makeovers and new sleep schedules, due to changing our clocks. Spring is seen as a rebirth and renewal in many cultures, and for many reasons this is accurate: being able to spend more time outside in warmer weather can feel like a new beginning, and the winter months help us appreciate this so much more. Psychology Today suggests five ways we can boost our mental health this spring.
Learn to prioritize your sleep again.
Being a college student doesn’t always nurture a healthy sleep schedule. Almost every student I know sleeps inconsistently, and their days are filled with naps to try to make up for sleep deficits. It is hard to get to sleep at a reasonable hour and wake up early, but prioritizing sleep is very important for an array of reasons. Putting your phone away before bed can be a start to getting yourself an extra hour of shut eye, and restraining yourself from picking it up first thing in the morning will do the same.
Make changes to your space.
If you are the type of person who often makes aesthetic changes to your living space, it may not be a surprise that changing your environment boosts your mental health. If spring is a rebirth, use that as an excuse to rebirth your wardrobe, paint your bedroom, or re-arrange your furniture.
Reconnect with the outside world.
The pandemic gave us time to isolate ourselves from the outside world and social situations. Use this spring as an opportunity to reconnect with trusted friends to increase your well-being profoundly. It must be noted that if you haven’t socialized with others in a while, it can be anxiety-inducing to re-enter society fast, so take it slow and steady.
Adopt a plant.
Spring is a great time for greenery like flowers and veggies. Nurturing a small plant of your own can be very rewarding and give you a sense of responsibility without much stress. In fact, houseplants are associated with decreased anxiety, and can therefore be therapeutic! A great low-maintenance option is succulents, because they need little attention, but if you decide to grow veggies from seed, you’ll find it can be very exciting to make something from seemingly nothing.
Identify one creative goal.
Setting goals is always important, and not all of them should be long-term. Set a goal for yourself this spring to try something you are interested in but have never found the time to explore. Cultivating random skills like painting, knitting, or gardening could prove very useful at times. Alternatively set a goal to finish a project you didn’t get to complete before the pandemic.
– Juliet Weschke, Writer
Source: Psychology Today