Refresh, Relax, and Reduce Your Stress This Spring

Many people look forward to the longer days and warmer temperatures of spring after a long winter. Depression and anxiety are often worse during winter months as you are often stuck inside and unable to do things that would help you feel better. Even though the weather outside is getting more pleasant, there are still a number of reasons why you may find yourself frazzled this spring. Since everyone deserves to feel happy and refreshed as spring rolls in, I’ve put togheter a few tips for reducing your stress during this season of renewal! 

Spend More Time Outside

Sunshine (vitamin D) is a good way to help improve your mood and overall mental health. As the year moves into spring weather, the days will be longer and warmer. Spending as little as fifteen minutes outside in the sun every day can help your mental health. This is the easiest and most effective way to get vitamin D into your body. In addition, spending time outside of the house will help you get out of a mental and emotional rut, which can also improve your overall mood. 

Refresh Your Space

With the renewal of the season, many choose to use this time to refresh their living spaces with spring to cleaning. Sometimes a cluttered environment can contribute to a depressed or anxious mental state. Now’s the time you can open the windows, let the fresh air in, and get everything looking and smelling fresh. By getting rid of clutter you give yourself a fresh start to think and live in your environment. Just looking around at the extra space will help reduce stress. In addition, the physical act of cleaning your home gets your body moving, which is also good for your mental health. 

Get Some Exercise

With the warmer weather of spring, it’s a good time to get more active outdoors. Going for a short walk every day or even a few times a week not only gets you out in the sunshine for your vitamin D but it also helps get your endorphins pumping, which can improve your mood. In addition to boosting your mood exercise can also increase energy levels and aid in more restful sleep. If you can’t get outside or don’t have time for a full workout each day, try morning yoga. There are tons of great videos on YouTube that are only 10-15 minutes each.

Take a Moment to Breathe

Deep breathing can lower your heart rate and reduce stress. After you’re done exercising, this can be a great time to go somewhere private and just spend ten minutes focusing on your breath and allowing yourself some time to forcefully forget all your worries. After my morning yoga, I like to take a few minutes to just take deep breathes and start my day with a refreshed feeling of relaxation. With each breath that you exhale try to lower your shoulders and let go of the stress that you’re carrying.