Spring into Self Care: 9 Tips to Boost Your Mood and Wellbeing
Spring is finally in the air, and after the winter months, where many of us feel like hunkering down and hibernating a little, it’s a time to reassess our self care to embrace the new season. With that in mind, here are some tips to help you take advantage of the longer days and the milder weather and feel your best.
Why spring can boost your mood
Every season brings self care essentials, and Spring is no different. After a long, cold winter, many of us look forward to Spring's warmer temperatures and enjoy spending time outside without our teeth chattering, nestled in a multitude of layers.
Spring is a time of renewal and new beginnings, too - a time to shake off the old and embrace the new in terms of the weather, personal growth, and self care. It’s a time to enjoy more moments in nature, which can do wonders for our mental wellbeing. Just seeing the first snowdrops can improve our mood and lift our spirits!
With the arrival of Spring, the days get longer, and there's more daylight, which can boost your mood and energy levels. The lighter mornings are a welcome return if you struggle with the darker months. Springtime often coincides with Easter too, which can see us getting together and connecting with family and friends.
It’s a time of optimism and hope, and it's no wonder why so many people love this season.
Self care in spring
Self care in spring, as at any time of year, is essential because it helps promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It reduces stress, boosts your immune system, and increases energy levels. Not only that, but a regular self care practice helps you develop and maintain healthy coping strategies for life’s challenges, avoiding burnout and improving resilience.
Here are nine spring self care tips to help you reap these benefits:
Get outside into nature and enjoy the warmer weather. Take a walk, ride a bike, or simply sit and enjoy the sunshine. Indeed, research shows that fractals - shapes that occur everywhere within the natural world - lower our stress hormone, cortisol, and help us feel more relaxed.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Incorporate plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables into your meals. Why not mix up your salads or aim for the ‘rainbow’ of colours on your plate at meal times? Try seasonal fruit and vegetables like rhubarb, strawberries, artichokes, and radishes.
Start a new exercise routine. Consider outdoor activities like biking or tennis to make the most of the weather and access to nature. But most importantly, take part in exercise you enjoy - listen to your body and do things that feel good. Maybe one day, that’s yoga, and another day it’s a HIIT session. Finding joy in exercise means you’re more inclined to do it.
Get organised. Spring is a great time to declutter and reorganise your home, garden or workspace. Research shows that organising our environment can help improve mood and overall mental health. If it feels overwhelming, focus on one area, set a timer for fifteen minutes and do as much as possible in that time. Little and often can take the overwhelm away.
Try a new hobby or activity. Take up gardening, learn a new language, or pick up a musical instrument. Science journalist and author Max Lugavere believes we can keep our brains healthy by committing to lifelong learning and developing new skills - what will you try?
Practise mindfulness and meditation. Take time to quiet your mind and focus on the present moment. If it helps, use an app like Calm or Headspace to help you. There are also plenty of video tutorials on YouTube. And you can watch my video where I talk about “What is mindfulness” here.
Get enough sleep. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night to help rejuvenate your body and mind. Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman believes that a good night’s sleep starts at the beginning of the day by exposing your body to natural light as early as possible. Aim to build a healthy bedtime routine too, to give your body the natural cues it needs to start the sleep process.
Connect with friends and family. Spend quality time with loved ones and engage in activities that bring joy and laughter. Why not plan get-togethers now so you have things to look forward to? Even a walk or catching up over coffee can boost your mood.
Treat yourself. Plan a spa day, go shopping, or indulge in your favourite treat. It doesn’t have to be anything huge, but building in these moments can help you put your needs and boundaries first, contributing to your overall happiness and well-being.
And finally, remember that self care is not selfish at any time of the year. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Taking care of yourself is essential for your overall well-being, and this well-being can have a positive impact on others. You can read more about Self Care for the Seasons in my book - available on Kindle or in paperback which also features a workbook to help you bring these tips to life.
When you engage in regular self care activities, you’re better equipped to handle the demands of daily life, be more present and attentive in your relationships, and have more energy and positivity to give to those you love. Win-win. So, which spring self care activities will you try over the coming weeks and months?
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