Ahhh spring, a time when the weather shifts and your stress seems to naturally and gently lift away. Or is this not your experience? You aren’t alone. There seems to be a belief that once the chill of winter leaves and the springtime arrives, you will suddenly feel refreshed and your troubles will leave you. Though true for some, this is not the case for everyone. I know, even as a St. Pete therapist, it’s not the case for me this year.
And it’s okay if your anxiety means this isn’t the case for you too.
Did you know that the shifting of the clocks in the springtime is scientifically shown to play tricks on us and increase our anxiety? This is due to the new distribution of sunlight in the day, thus changing our circadian rhythm, which tells us when to sleep, eat, work, etc. That can really throw you off!
So if you find your anxiety creeping up on you and you are struggling to cope, here are 3 tips to curb that springtime anxiety surge from a St. Pete therapist.
Tip: Drop the “Shoulds” from your vocabulary
Not only does the spring-ahead time change cause a spike in our anxiety, but so do a lot of the “shoulds.” “Look at this weather, shouldn’t life be great?!” “Everyone is so happy and refreshed, should I be happy too?” “No more heavy coats and boots, I should feel lighter!” All of these expectations and goals we put on ourselves just make it more clear when we don’t reach them, so being mindful of these societal and self-inflicted “shoulds” can help you to be more in the present and focus on all the good that already is. It can also allow you to set your own path, as opposed to trying to follow the path you feel you ‘should’ be on.
Tip: Ease anxiety when you stop and smell those springtime flowers.
Living in the St. Pete area, we have access to some of the most beautiful places in nature. Many of us even have beautiful plants and warm sunshine accessible in our backyards! Spending time with nature, whether it’s for 5 minutes between meetings or for a 3-hour bike ride, is an amazing way to help your body reconnect to the present moment and psychologically shift your mood. Grounding yourself into the earth and allowing your focus to be on the beauty and life around you can work wonders to clear your mind of some of your anxiety and stress.
And be aware, allergies in the spring can be sneaky saboteurs!
Not only do they cause sneezing and watery eyes, but they can cause inflammation in the brain and subsequently bring on less than ideal moods. So being in tune with any potential allergies you may have and taking steps to combat them can work wonders for your anxiety.
Tip: Use your hands.
Whether it’s building yourself a garden to grow some fresh vegetables, learning or practicing some macramé skills or breaking out your easel and paints, using your hands and making something helps your mind rest. Creating something artistically can also provide you with an outlet to express anything you’re feeling or thinking, whether it’s conscious or not.
The process of making something causes your hands and mind to give attention to the process in the moment, not the end result, which in turn can help to recenter yourself and let go of some anxiety.
Springtime in St. Pete is a time for rejuvenation, transition, and unfortunately… sometimes anxiety. It’s a time that you may realize that some of the goals you may have set for yourself a few months ago haven’t yet been met, and can cause you to feel overwhelmed. It can also be one of the first times that you’ve had a second to stop and reset after the business of the holiday season. This may bring to light some of the things you have been overlooking or avoiding. This is normal, and there are things you can do.
A St. Pete therapist can help you make sense of these, and offer tips beyond what is here in this article.
For now, we invite you to check in with your anxiety and try to uncover what it’s trying to tell you. Are you comparing yourself to the experiences of others? Do you have unrealistic expectations of yourself? Are you becoming caught up in your thoughts and not giving yourself time for mindful grounding? Are you giving yourself space to express yourself and process your experiences? Once you more deeply understand the root of your anxiety, the better you can identify ways to challenge and decrease it.
If you find yourself needing help to find more strategies to understand or curb your spring-time anxiety, a St. Pete therapist is here to help. Anxiety can be a fierce opponent to battle, and we want to be your ally.
Ready to Start Therapy To Help You Find Peace From Springtime Anxiety, with a St. Pete therapist?
Beginning the journey to your best self is easier than most of the things we’re all doing right now! Therapy does not have to wait. You can get the mental health support you need with a skilled therapist in St. Pete or with online therapy in Florida. To begin, just follow these simple steps:
- Contact us to request an appointment
- Meet with one of our experienced therapists.
- Get support & begin your journey toward mental wellness & connection today!
Other Mental Health and Wellness Services at ME-Therapy
At ME-Therapy, we believe in the importance of mental, emotional & physical wellbeing. Our therapists want to help your mind but also want to feed your soul. This means we take a holistic approach to mental health. In order to do this, we offer a wide range of mental health services in our St. Petersburg office and online including therapy for women, therapy for men, trauma therapy, and holistic, spiritual therapy. For couples and relationships, we want you to know that our relationship therapists are here for you ALL. In addition to marriage counseling, we provide sex therapy, affair recovery counseling, and poly-friendly kink-aware therapy.
