As the dreary winter months come to an end, many people are finding themselves relieved as the days get longer, the weather gets warmer, and the negative effects of seasonal depression begin to lift. Even those who love the cold winter months are likely to agree that freezing temperatures and short days are not ideal conditions for good mental and emotional health. During the winter, many people find it difficult to practice self-care as they are forced to spend hours on end inside their homes due to the early sunsets and cold weather; especially those who live in regions with particularly cold, dreary climates, The good news, however, is that winter is almost over! If you’ve been neglecting your self-care routine so far in 2023, the beginning of Spring is the perfect opportunity to take some extra time for yourself. Whether you’re looking for new hobbies to enjoy as the weather gets warmer and the days get longer or searching for ways to stay active outdoors after recovering from a procedure at thrivemdclinic.com, here are a few tips for practicing self-care this spring.
1. Take a Walk
One of the best things you can do for your mental health is to spend time outdoors, soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the warm spring weather. For many, the best way to do this is by walking outside! Whether you take a short walk around your neighborhood or enjoy a hike on a local trail, adding a walk to your daily routine this spring will act as a natural mood booster and work to alleviate symptoms of seasonal depression or anxiety. If you do not typically enjoy taking long walks, try making a playlist of your favorite music to shuffle while you walk, or use this time to listen to a good podcast or audiobook! If you still need help passing the time on a walk, try calling a friend or family member to chat. Whatever you decide to do, walking is one of the best self-care activities you can do for yourself this spring.
2. Smell the Flowers
Whether you pick flowers on a walk or buy some fresh greenery from a local grocery store or florist, one of the best parts of spring is all the flowers that bloom as the weather warms and the dreary winter months come to a close. Take advantage of the season while sprucing up your home or office by picking or buying some fresh flowers! Research also shows that filling an indoor space with live greenery, such as flowers, can lower stress and anxiety rates and act as an instant mood booster! Not only will filling your home or office with flowers make your space look pretty, but it will also help improve your mental health, making this a great way to practice self-care this season.
3. Plan a Trip
Have you spent all winter cooped up inside your home, dreaming of taking a vacation? The warm spring season is the perfect time to do so! Depending on where you plan to travel, you might be able to save money on your trip compared to the cost of traveling during the warm summer months. Many popular vacation destinations around the United States even offer discounted rates during the spring season to incentivize college students to travel during spring break. Still, anyone can take advantage of these savings! Just be sure to book your trip early so you don’t miss out on exclusive deals. Plus, planning a trip before the spring season begins will give you something to look forward to all winter long and can help distract your mind and alleviate symptoms of seasonal depression. Whether you’re taking a family vacation to Disney World or planning a solo camping trip, spring is the perfect time to travel.
These are just three of the many ways that you can practice self care this spring. Whether you are planning an extravagant vacation to celebrate the start of warm weather or just looking to add a new activity like walking to your daily routine, the beginning of spring is the perfect excuse to prioritize taking a little care of yourself – which is most likely much needed after making it through the long, dreary winter season.
Images from BEAUTY SCENE EXCLUSIVE: Lilian F by Bruno Baptista – See the full story here
