The period around the spring holidays is a great time when our life can take on a new charge. Literally at every turn we come across evidence that winter is definitely behind us. Budding greenery, colorful flowers and animals as symbols of a new beginning.
Great changes also take place inside the human body at this time of year. Neuropsychiatrist John Sharp from Harvard Medical School points out that processes take place in us that energize our organism. The level of excitatory neurotransmitters, which are chemical substances that transmit impulses in the brain and have a stimulating effect, increases. In short, the internal biological system, including hormones, pumps up in accordance with the spring season, and we feel a rush of energy.
Banish the winter
In order for the new life to begin to flow fully, it was one of the folk customs to put an end to what burdens us, reminds us of death and sadness.
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“In the spring here, people still bring out Morana and burn old junk,” explains psychologist Nela Wurmová. However, the rituals experienced in a national culture or society are one thing and what we need as individuals is another. Someone thoroughly sorts and organizes the wardrobe, cleans the balcony and plants new plants, another goes on a bike trip to clear his head.
“Most people also have their own rituals, even if they don’t think about it themselves.” According to the psychologist, it’s good to realize how we are with energy at a given time of the year and decide whether to focus on an activity, or on the contrary to relax in the sun. It is also good to ask: “What can I do to be more in tune with nature in its transformations?” What can I look forward to and what can I ever enjoy?’
Even in the joyful season of spring, everyone can feel differently. An ardent tourist will enjoy blooming nature differently than an allergy sufferer who is late with his tax return and still has to do a general cleaning at home.
For a clean apartment and soul
But when else than in the spring should the cobwebs be pulled out, the corners swept away and what we don’t use thrown away? Not only does cleaning help us feel better in the space we live in, taking out old junk also acts as a psychological cleansing. Maybe it’s even the right time to rearrange some furniture, get rid of some pieces and air out the apartment.
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According to author Isabella Eymanová, we should start cleaning with a clear intention and knowledge of what we want to change and why. Plan ahead in which arrangement we will feel more satisfied and happy.
Spring flowers can also enliven the space. “Play with flowers. What better way to welcome spring?” asks Eyman. The sight of the flower buds pleases everyone, we can also dedicate them to someone we love. Try other little things. “Change scents, perfume or scented candles and perfume your life in any other way.”
You can buy a few new small things in bright colors for the interior, for example a vase or cushions for the sofa. It creates a similar effect to pinning a colorful brooch on an old coat or jacket. Revitalizes and brightens.
Replace the old habit with a new one
Spring is also a good time to cleanse ourselves of bad habits. We all have one. Whether it is excessive use of social networks, smoking, or unhealthy food in the evening.
“When you get rid of negative habits, it helps improve your mental health,” says clinical psychologist Michael Messina. However, he warns that it probably won’t be easy at all and that we will have a better chance of success if we replace bad habits with something we enjoy.
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It can also be a new way to take care of your mental well-being. He recommends trying journaling, meditation or practicing mindfulness. This is a method of mindfulness and full awareness, where we pay attention to the present moment without any evaluation, expectation or judgment.
But you can start with anything that makes you happy. Take on the foreign language you’ve always wanted to learn, use spring energy to exercise you’ve been putting off during the winter, or return to a musical instrument you played as a child. And if you find it difficult to start new activities, try a well-known trick – reserve an exact time and hour in your diary and stick to it. Only then can something new become a natural part of your daily routine.
Use the light and go outside!
In spring, we are recharged not only by the sight of the awakening nature, but mainly by the amount of sunshine, which increases every day. Many studies have already proven the clear positive effect of light on human mood and behavior. The more time you spend outside in the spring, the better.
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And since we spend up to 93% of our time indoors in the urbanized world, every minute counts. It is ideal to combine being outdoors with physical activity, so dust off your bike, inline skates or running shoes.
If you can’t allow for example circuit training in your gym, try going to the park with your friends instead and work out in an outdoor gym. If, on the other hand, you are not too fond of sports, just take a walk on your way from work or read for a while outside.
Order in the accounts
How are finances and spring restart related? Pretty narrow. In the spring we start planning our summer vacation, maybe you want to pay for a ceramics class or a new language but you don’t know if you can afford it. In addition, it is possible that during the gloomy months, you improved your bad mood by shopping “for pleasure” and did not pay as much attention to expenses.
Review how you spent over the winter and consider whether anything needs to change.
If we have a clear and realistic idea in our head about what we spend money on, we keep a kind of order in ourselves and in our plans. It will also help us clarify how we spent our free time. Maybe we realize that we have new clothes in our wardrobe from winter shopping that we don’t even wear. And it will force us to think about how to do it when, for example, we want to invest more in experiences or travel.
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What is spring fever
However, not everyone enjoys the huge rush of energy that we feel in spring.
Some people experience unpredictable and sudden mood swings and symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, flushed cheeks, loss of appetite, restlessness, or a tendency to daydream. Similar mental and physical conditions are called Spring Fever in Anglo-Saxon countries, for example.
This is not a fixed medical diagnosis and is subject to further investigation by scientists.
“Spring energy can take control of you. Although we often expect feelings of happiness, this is not the only possible outcome. The energy that awakens in us after the snow melts is often more confusing than motivating,” warns neuropsychologist John Sharp. If we are not careful, we can easily feel pulled in various contradictory directions. The feelings can be described as on edge. “But on the edge of what? You don’t even need to know that,” concludes the doctor.
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If you are one of those who experience anxiety and chaos every year instead of enthusiasm and happiness, try to plan ahead activities that calm you down, record your emotions, or don’t hesitate to ask for psychological help.
Athletes should also be careful not to increase the number of hours they devote to training disproportionately from the first days of spring due to the influx of energy. Here, too, there is a risk of overload and injury. If you like to play sports outdoors, make a reasonable plan. It’s better than starting too fast and doing too much.
Start the transformation
“The symbolism of rebirth and new life that is synonymous with the beginning of spring also applies to the state of the human mind,” says coach Melissa Eisler, adding some advice:
- Take time for yourself. Our society is obsessed with planning and this often leads to mental overwhelm. Give yourself moments to be spontaneous, do only what you feel like doing.
- Take stock of what is working in your life and what isn’t. What could be improved? What do I really want? And look for the reason why you can’t get it.
- Decide what your intent or intention is. Individual steps are important, but intention will help us determine them and not leave everything to chance.
- Take care of your body. In order to refresh your mind, it is essential to feel good about your physical side as well. Both components should be in balance.
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