Decreasing Your Anxiety in Spring

You might find that the more you get into Spring, the more your anxiety seems to rise. You find it harder to get out of bed, you notice your mind spins more through the day. On weekends, you just can’t seem to recover from your week. (Spring is busy!) Often in Spring, while the sun is out and the season is heating up, you end up feeling better along with the weather. Why is your mental health struggling when you expect to feel better?

Decreasing your anxiety in Spring might be very feasible!

With the longer days, sunnier periods and warmth, it can feel there is more to do. If the days are longer it’s common for people to both want to, and believe they should be, taking full advantage. You stay out with neighbours chatting more, you meet up for more patio appies or evening coffee dates, your kids have outdoor sports. Family seems to travel to you more on weekends – or you to them. You now have games or tournaments on weekends which pushes the to-do list into the evenings! The yard might need tending after a long winter. It’s possible you get lost in the number of tasks you want or need to do.

While all good, none of these things decrease your anxiety in Spring.

You might notice an increase in your anxiety because of all the busyness. So, what can actually shift it? There are a few ways you can resource yourself and make life a little lighter, ease your anxiety and support your mental and emotional health.

If you’re wanting to soak in the warm, longer days, why not start mindful walking? Mindfulness practices are powerful and portable! Taking intentional time – even 10 minutes – daily to take in the sounds of nature is impactful. A mindful walking would include any or all of your five senses.

Can you hear five things?

Really slow down to notice them. This could include the pitch of the birds chirping, the speed at which the sprinklers are sprinkling, the number of mowers running and so forth. Next, scan your view for four things to see. Again, really slow down to notice the detail. If you’re checking out the clouds, look for shape, density, colour and any other cloud detail. If you’re noticing trees, what detail do you see along the bark, any roots, the leaves and go further and further into detail. What do you smell? Notice three scents or deeply breathe in through your nose to notice different smells. This might involve finding a bush, flower or cut grass somewhere. Can you taste two things? (This will be tricky on a walk!) Did you bring a snack, have a piece of gum, or a bottle of water with you? That will do. What about 1 thing you can feel. You can use this last sense of touch well and slow down to run your hands along some bark, your clothing, your dog’s back or whatever it is that might be in reach.

This mindful practice can be done anywhere. It really does bring you into the moment and is very flexible in how you can approach it. You might want to do this while sitting on your front porch, looking out your apartment window, or really anywhere. The point is that you give yourself time, space and breathe to slow down.

If you’d like to explore whether you’re experiencing anxiety or how to regulate some of your discomfort, please reach out and book your appointment. I’d love to connect either in-person in the Langley area, or online. Experiencing relief from your mental and emotional health struggles – from traumatic experiences or other reasons, is profoundly supportive to living well.