Five Early Spring Activities for Mental Health
April is here! The weather is finally warming up and now the sun shines a little longer for us after Daylight Savings. Today we’re going to bring you five activities to try out this spring season for your mental health.
Tulip Picking (just not from your neighbor’s garden!)
Tulips are an early spring flower, having their peak picking season at the end of March and in early April. Try looking for a location near you and make a day of the occasion. Picking tulips can help you appreciate the small moments in life and slow down. Now for a tip, when there’s a tulip you like, reach down as close to the soil as possible, grab the stem, and pull straight up. Picking flowers can also give people a mental boost! Fun and creative tasks engage the mind and can let your creativity flow while you determine which flowers you’ll take home with you.
Journaling
Slowing down and finding some time in your days to reflect can help release tensions and let you focus more on the important things in your life. Take some time when you can journal and pour back into yourself. For some prompts this spring season consider these:
Walks/Hiking
You tend to think more rationally when you are out in nature. Exercising increases endorphins which helps reduce stress hormones. It requires you to slow down which can help you reconnect with yourself. A 2015 Stanford Study found that time in nature reduces your tendency towards negative thought patterns. The journal “Environmental Science and Technology” published results stating that outdoor exercise has a direct correlation to greater feelings of positivity and energy and fewer feelings of anger and sadness.
Reading (ideally outdoors)
Reading can relax your body by lowering your heart rate. The University of Sussex found that reading can reduce stress by up to 68%. If you read outdoors, you will also be exposed to sunlight and nature which reduces cortisol and increases serotonin levels. Grab a beloved book or a new one you’ve been meaning to read off your shelf and spend some time reading. Whether it’s a cookbook, a self-help book, or a thriller, reading can help take your mind away from life’s stressors.
Spring Cleaning
Reducing the sense of clutter can help feel like a new beginning! It can also make your environment feel more organized and relaxing, as opposed to disorganized and overwhelming. It allows you to regain a sense of control and feel accomplished. Start small and make your way up to bigger tasks. I know I like to start with my closet and start packing away my big winter coats! No matter which activity you prefer to engage in this spring, we hope you slow down and appreciate the small moments.
If you are interested in learning more about how to improve your mental health, schedule an appointment today with The Purpose Center! Email drkatrina@kkjpsych.com or call 919-493-1975.