Time for an Emotional Spring Cleaning!

Time for an Emotional Spring Cleaning!

Spring is a time of renewal and growth. As we begin to shed the layers of winter, it's important to take a moment to evaluate our mental health and do some "emotional spring cleaning."

Just as we clean our physical spaces in preparation for the new season, we should also take the time to declutter our minds and improve our mental outlook. In this article, we'll explore why emotional spring cleaning is important and provide four practical tips to help you cultivate a positive mental outlook as the springtime approaches.

The Importance of Evaluating Mental Health NOW

Winter can be a challenging season for many people. The lack of sunlight, colder temperatures, and increased isolation can all take a toll on our mental health. It's not uncommon for people to experience feelings of depression, anxiety, or just general malaise during the winter months. 

According to a study published in the American Family Physicians, winter depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), affects approximately 10-20% of the population.

This makes emotional spring cleaning all the more important. By decluttering our minds, we can improve our mental health and cultivate a more positive outlook.

Evaluating our mental health and decluttering our minds can help us to:

  1. Let go of negative emotions and beliefs that may be holding us back.
  2. Identify areas where we need to make changes or improvements in our lives.
  3. Cultivate a more positive and optimistic outlook.
  4. Build resilience and coping skills that will serve us well throughout the year.

 

Here are four practical tips to help you cultivate a positive mental outlook this spring.

  1. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a powerful tool for improving mental health and cultivating a positive outlook. Simply put, mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged in the current moment. This can help us to let go of worries about the past or future and focus on what's happening right now. There are many different ways to practice mindfulness, from meditation to simply paying attention to your breath or senses. Experiment with different techniques to find what works best for you.

  1. Get Moving

Exercise is another powerful tool for improving mental health. It releases endorphins, reduces stress, and helps to improve mood.

According to a study published in the Mayo Clinic, just 30 minutes of exercise a day can have a significant impact on symptoms of depression and anxiety.

As the weather gets warmer, take advantage of the opportunity to get outside and move your body. Go for a walk, bike ride, or run. Try a new outdoor activity like kayaking or hiking. Even a few minutes of movement each day can have a significant impact on your mental outlook.

  1. Connect with Others

Social connections are essential for mental health and wellbeing. As we begin to emerge from the isolation of winter, make an effort to connect with others. Reach out to friends or family members you haven't seen in a while. Join a new club or organization that aligns with your interests. Volunteer in your community. Making connections with others can help to reduce feelings of loneliness and increase feelings of happiness and fulfillment.

  1. Cultivate Gratitude

Finally, practicing gratitude is another powerful tool for improving mental health and cultivating a positive outlook. Taking a few moments each day to focus on the things we're grateful for can help us to shift our mindset from one of scarcity to one of abundance. It can help us to appreciate the good things in our lives, even when things may not be going exactly as planned. Make a habit of writing down a few things you're grateful for each day, or simply take a few moments to reflect on them.

 

Emotional spring cleaning is an important practice for improving mental health and cultivating a positive outlook as the springtime approaches. By practicing mindfulness, getting moving, connecting with others, and cultivating gratitude, you can set yourself up for a happy and fulfilling spring season.

 

 Additional reading

  1. "Seasonal Affective Disorder," National Library of Medicine,  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3004726/

  2. "Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Anxiety and Depression," National Library of Medicine, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5679245/

  3. "Exercise for the treatment of depression and anxiety," National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21495519/

  4. A daily diary study of relationships between feelings of gratitude and well-being, The Journal of Positive Psychology,  https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17439760.2016.1198923 

Unsplash photo by Priscilla du Preez

See all articles in Healthy Living