~ Bailey Shawley, MSEd, CCTS-F, Specialized Parenting & Educational Consultant
Some people love winter. They love cold weather, snow, and winter activities like skiing and snowmobiling. Other people, however, do not. And the people who detest winter don’t make any bones about it. They’re cold, miserable, bored, and need the sun. Like, seriously need it because they’re so done with cabin fever, the winter blues, the winter blahs, and Seasonal Affective Disorder. The good news is spring is just around the corner. The bad news is a day on the calendar doesn’t mean that mental health struggles from the winter magically will melt away with the last bits of snow and ice. But, there are some specific things you can do to improve your mood and bounce back with the advent of spring.
It does help that the days are getting longer and we have access to more sunlight. Of course, you want to be sure to spend your time in the sun wisely and avoid overexposure, which can lead to sunburn. We can get vitamin D from sunlight, which, in turn, may lower the risk of morbidity, mortality, and certain diseases. Additionally, a recent study by Andrew Huberman found that exposure to sunlight promotes mental health and well-being. The study also found that avoiding light at night (10 pm – 4 am) may ward off depression. The power of the sun doesn’t end there, though; sunlight exposure also has several other health benefits, including improving our immune system and releasing specific chemicals in the body that combat physical and emotional pain.
Spring also brings with it increased temperatures. That means we can turn off our dry heating systems, or at least limit their use, and reduce our struggle with dry, cracked skin. We also can open our blinds, curtains, and windows and let in some fresh air with the sunlight. Believe it or not, fresh air also has several health benefits, from boosting our mood to lowering our heart rate to increasing our energy levels. Your kids and pets also will want to spend more time outside as the weather improves, so consider going out with them by taking a family walk, throwing a ball around in the yard, or playing hide-and-seek. It’s also a great time to sweep off your porch or stoop and take some time to listen to the sounds of nature that are all around you. Birds are returning, and research shows that listening to their songs helps regulate our nervous systems and improves anxiety, depression, and general well-being.
Older relatives often used spring as a time to do a good, deep clean. They may have been on to something, as studies show that there are spring cleaning health benefits. Typically, we declutter and organize as we clean. Clutter can distract us and add to our stress, so putting everything in its place, getting rid of unwanted or unused items, and organizing can be of great help. In fact, cleaning can boost our mood, energy, and focus. If you’ve had a fairly sedentary winter, getting up and moving to clean can jump-start your exercise routine; vigorous cleaning also can release endorphins, which are mood boosters and natural pain relievers. You’ll also get a sense of accomplishment when you look around your home and see all of the progress you made.
One other spring activity that can boost your mood and reduce stress is gardening. While we may consider gardening to be more of a summer activity, spring provides us with time to clean up flowerbeds, rake out leaves that fell during fall and winter, mulch beds, and prune trees and shrubs. Early spring also is the right time for planting certain vegetables like potatoes, peas, and some varieties of lettuce. Gardening also gives you extra time outside to soak up the sunlight and breathe in the fresh air, and the physical activities involved in gardening get your heart pumping and your endorphins flowing. Gardening also gets our hands in the dirt, which is something that Integrative Physiology Professor Christopher Lowry has found boosts our mood and improves our mental health.
You don’t have to be an outdoor enthusiast to soak up some sun, breathe in some fresh air, or clean up the yard from the winter. Stand on your front porch, take a deep breath, and listen to the birds for five minutes before you leave for work. You also can declutter and clean your home one room at a time while fresh air blows through your open windows. Or, open the windows, play some music, and dance around the kitchen while your dinner cooks. Moving our bodies in sunlight and fresh air is invigorating and just may give you the boost you sought all winter. One thing is certain: you won’t fully reap the benefits of spring if you don’t put effort into it. Where do you want to start?
As a specialized consultant, I realize that for some people struggling with depression, anxiety, or grief, it can be an immense task to open the blinds and windows, let alone get up and moving. I support people through making small, healthy changes that eventually add up to big results; we set realistic goals, use evidence-based strategies, and work toward improved mental health and well-being together. When you’re ready to start making some changes, click the “Schedule a Session” button below or visit https://bconnectingllc.clientsecure.me to schedule a session. Remember, the initial consultation is approximately 15-30 minutes long and free of charge to ensure we are a good fit for one another. Or, you can jump right into consulting by scheduling a full-hour consultation. If you want help shedding some of the negative winter energy, consider scheduling a chakra reading or a Reiki healing session. As always, all B Connecting, LLC services are confidential and judgment free.
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