By Cory Sekine-Pettite
This is a concept with which we’re all familiar, but perhaps some of us know it by different names. Essentially, just like Mother Nature comes to life after a long winter in its annual renewal, many therapists, wellness coaches, and other mental health experts suggest that we should take this as a sign to do a so-called spring reset of our own. Think of it as an internal spring cleaning.
And personally, I always feel like I need a bit of a retune after every winter. So, what sort of things can we do to refresh our outlook, lower our stress, and defrost if you will? A few immediate and easy options come to mind: work on your nutrition, clean and organize your living space or office, take better care of your health, volunteer, or start a new hobby.
For one, I’m always looking for better ways to organize my life — my office space, my home, etc. Those who know me know that The Container Store is one of my favorite shops. I can spend hours in there every time I go. Second, I like to find excuses to get outdoors come springtime (despite my allergies). The winter forces me inside because I don’t like the cold, so when it gets warmer, you can find me exercising outside, dining al flesco, or sipping coffee on the patio of one of my favorite coffee shops. Enjoying the warmer weather — before we hit the unbearable humidity of a Georgia summer — helps my mental state.
Additionally, I take the time each spring to learn something new, particularly when it comes to my job/career. I’m always on the lookout for a new skill that will make me more productive and a better editor or writer. Early in my career, I joined a national organization for editors. That group offers a breadth of continuing education for members. Perhaps there is such an org for your line of work. Whichever way you decide to do it, take the opportunity for a spring reset. You’ll thank yourself later.
