Spring Cleaning:
Emotionally and Mentally Shifting for the new Season
The weather is changing, the days are getting longer, and here comes a burst of energy. Oh wait, is that anxiety?
For many of us, Spring is the time we welcome with open arms. The cold chilly days are now being replaced with longer, sunnier ones. We associate this time of year with RENEWAL, ROUTINE, and POSITIVITY. Flowers are blooming and birds are chirping. So, why do I feel so… weird?
The transition to spring can impact our bodies and our minds. Longer daylight hours affect melatonin and serotonin levels so now our bodies need to recalibrate! This may cause restlessness, sleep disruption, irritability, and feeling “wired but tired.” Individuals with highly sensitive nervous systems (trauma survivors, empaths, and others) may notice this change even more and often feel overstimulated.
The transition to spring can impact our bodies and our minds. Longer daylight hours affect melatonin and serotonin levels so now our bodies need to recalibrate! This may cause restlessness, sleep disruption, irritability, and feeling “wired but tired.” Individuals with highly sensitive nervous systems (trauma survivors, empaths, and others) may notice this change even more and often feel overstimulated.
There is also this seemingly unspoken pressure to “feel better” when the weather changes. “It’s so beautiful outside, doesn’t this help with seasonal affect disorder?” Or maybe there is an increase in social demands: more invitations, outdoor sporting events or activities, kids’ schedules getting busier, and on and on. We all just got used to the slowing down of winter and now it is already time to do all the things? Yikes!
So, what do we do? Well, the first thing is: Go easy on yourself. Now that you are learning a little more about this anomaly of “transition anxiety” you can give your body and mind some reassurance. Transitions feel weird. And we eventually adapt.
Find something to anchor yourself. Maybe a mantra or a word to remind you that this will pass and you will adapt. Remind yourself that shifts can feel uncomfortable and it is okay to take things slowly. Do things one at a time. Talk to your therapist about it. Find ways to take care of YOU. Check out a yoga class, go on a walk, journal.
Take the time to look at your boundaries and commitments. Are you going beyond your emotional and mental budget just because you think you “should” be saying yes to ever possible thing?
The lessons learned from the slow winter may fit in the jump of energy in the spring and summer. Deep breaths. The rhythm will find itself again.
