As flowers begin to bloom and birds make their way back across the states, it’s clear that spring has sprung. This new season doesn’t just symbolize renewal, but a time for birth, growth, and nurturing. When it comes to our mental health, however, our minds don’t always automatically reset.
With warming temperatures often comes the pressure to “feel better.” It’s sunny out, so our anxiety and depression should phase out, right? Sometimes, but that’s often not the case for many.
Instead of seeing spring as a season that magically fixes everything, we need to reframe it through the proper lens. Spring, like any other season, has the power to reset our souls, but it can only do so if we prioritize intentional care over passive change.
Why Spring Affects Mental Health
When Spring finally arrives, many of us start to feel a lift in seasonal symptoms. With less darkness and more time outside, we may find ourselves less depressed or anxious. This isn’t just a fluke. According to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, “one of the biggest benefits of spring is the increase in sunlight, which naturally boosts mood and energy levels by enhancing vitamin D production. Warmer weather also encourages more outdoor activities, allowing us to engage in physical exercise, which is known to reduce stress and improve mental health.”
Spring affects our mental health because more sunlight can shift our mood. However, this isn’t the case for everyone. As our schedules change and daylight increases, we also begin to feel pressure to be more active and productive. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln adds, “while many enjoy the positive aspects of spring, others may find certain changes challenging. Increased social expectations can lead to pressure or anxiety, especially for those who prefer solitude or struggle with social interactions. If large gatherings feel overwhelming, consider solo outdoor activities like walking, reading in the park, or simply soaking in the sunlight for a few minutes each day.”
Growth can feel uncomfortable during these seasons, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth embracing. If you’re itching to care for your mental health this spring and want some fresh ideas to spruce up your routine, try one of these 10 tips. If one works for you, great. Suppose it doesn’t, try another and see what works best for you. Remember: Time invested in your mental health is never wasted.
10 Practical Ways to Care for Your Mental Health
1. Get Outside Daily: We all know that getting outside into the fresh air is good for us, but have you ever understood why? Sunlight, fresh air, and nature all have incredible mood benefits. According to the American Psychological Association, this is because “spending time in nature is linked to both cognitive benefits and improvements in mood, mental health, and emotional well-being.” When we feel connected to nature, we reap the benefits of well-being. From five minutes to five hours, getting outside tends to our souls well.
2. Gently Reset Your Routine: When Spring arrives, sometimes we’re tempted to do it all. We wish to overhaul our entire routines and wonder why we burn out quickly. Instead, try gently resetting your routine with small and simple adjustments. Adjust your bedtime and reduce screen time before bed. Start or end your day with gentle movement and make your morning routine as peaceful as possible.
3. Declutter Your Space: Like Spring cleaning, we can declutter our hearts, minds, and souls. Yes, the external environment affects our internal state, so keep physical spaces as tidy as possible. But also don’t forget that what you think about, feed yourself, and nourish your soul with, also matters, too. Pay attention to what you’re consuming and declutter those spaces.
4. Limit Social Media Comparison: It might sound silly, but Spring often amplifies comparison. The more vacations, bodies, and productivity we see on social media, the more unsatisfied we become with our own lives. Instead of getting stuck in the comparison trap, limit socials and ask the Lord for help to be content with what you have.
5. Move Your Body in Enjoyable Ways: A lot of people hate working out because they think of it as punishing their bodies. Instead of keeping this legalistic mindset, reframe, knowing that we’re called to care for our temples well. Choose to move your body in enjoyable ways—not to lose weight, but because it’s good for you. This could look like a gentle walk, stretching, or engaging in low-pressure movement.
6. Reconnect with People: Spring is also the perfect season to reconnect with people you may have lost touch with. Note: This doesn’t mean being friends with everyone or overextending yourself. Instead, choose to participate in intentional and life-giving relationships. Relationships that lift you, support you, and build you up in the Lord.
7. Practice Emotional Check-Ins: Instead of ignoring your emotions until they swell up, boil over, and overflow, try practicing daily or weekly emotional check-ins. For me, this looks like taking a few minutes each day to journal and name what I’m feeling. If I’m struggling to identify what I feel, I also like to use a feelings wheel.
8. Try Something New: Instead of getting bogged down by the same boring routine, choose to try something new. This could be a date with your spouse, hanging out with a best friend, or eating a special treat. Novelty boosts mood and engagement, and when we pair this with things that are naturally good for our mental health, we will surely reap the benefits.
9. Nourish Your Body Consistently: While eating your favorite treat isn’t bad, it’s also important to eat balanced meals and nourish your body consistently. If you struggle with anxiety or depression like me, this can be a challenge. Sometimes I’m just really not hungry. If this is you, try eating smaller, more frequent meals. Adding in adequate nutrition and electrolytes can also help wonders.
10. Spend Time with God in a Fresh Way: Finally, if we wish to achieve a true mental reset this Spring, we must not forsake our souls. Spending time with God in new and fresh ways helps us to grow deeper in our relationship with Him. This could look like changing your environment (going outside for a prayer walk, or doing devotionals while walking, for example), engaging in a new habit (watching a sermon or choosing to worship in song), or making time for solitude.
God's Design is for the Seasons
Friends, no matter whether you try all 10 tips to reset this spring or none at all, I want us to remember that God’s design is for seasons. Each of them has a purpose, and growth takes time, so don’t rush the transformation. This Spring is a gentle invitation to reset, not a pressure you have to uphold.
Don’t try to change everything at once. You don’t need to set unrealistic expectations or ignore how you feel. Instead, start small and choose to try 1 or 2 new habits. Then, focus on consistency over intensity. Permit yourself to grow slowly and intentionally, and in due season, your mental reset will occur.
Mental health care is not a one-time reset; it’s ongoing stewardship. Because small shifts matter more than perfect plans, no matter the season you find yourself in.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/TomMerton
