Tracy  McKeague counselling column: Time for a Spring clean

Spring is in the air, are you feeling it yet? I am looking forward to the time changing and the stretch in the evenings and brighter mornings.

For some, not all, spring can bring a positive shift in people’s mental health as the days get brighter. Our circadian rhythm changes due to the increase in light, which affects our sleep-wake cycles, energy and mood.  

We need light, it provides hope, allowing people the optimism to explore managing things in a healthier way for themselves. Spring brings a new energy and vitality for the outdoors, why shouldn’t it extend indoors, within ourselves?

How can you make the most of it? Getting out in nature is key and it doesn’t have to be anything too exerting, it can be a stroll in a forest, sitting by the sea, even sitting in your garden or on your doorstep. You don’t have to wait until summer to eat outdoors, enjoy a picnic anywhere, anytime. 

This time of year encourages people to do gardening or outdoor maintenance and there is very much a therapeutic element to this. 

When we are ‘doing’ there is a sense of achievement, distraction and a reward feeling when it is complete. Putting your hands in the earth & planting new life is very grounding and can provide a great healing space for many. Because spring offers our first reprieve from winter enclosure we are less likely to be glued to our phones or other devices so there is more headspace opportunity to reconnect with yourself and the outside world through socializing and activities. Then there is the spring cleaning, declutter, throwing out and making way for the new. This can be extremely helpful for people. 

Too much clutter can bombard the mind with excess stimuli. People can feel frustrated, overwhelmed and helpless if they are disorganized in their home or work environment.  Declutter is not a cure for depression or anxiety but it can be a mood boost and often people feel calmer and more in control when is there some order on the environment.  

What about a spring clean of relationships? Have you ‘friends’ on facebook that are not helpful for your mental health? Do you hang out with toxic people for the sake of it rather than enjoying the experience? Can you say ‘no’ so some people to protect yourself and grow within yourself, weed out the energy drainers.

Make a list of things and people that are not good for you and see how you can address it so that you have only energy radiators in your life and less drainers. ‘Find’ yourself in spring, hang out with yourself more, by choice, tune in to yourself as you would with nature and hear what your body, mind & soul might be saying to you. It’s time to let the light in and grow.  Gratitude can also be a lovely way to embrace energy by harvesting the things that you are grateful for and that can be something as simple as the joy of waking up! Perhaps spring allows us all to wake up a little from our own hibernation and see things with a new pair of eyes. All good wishes. Tracy x.

Counselling available in person from Serenity House Moville, F93 Y138 or remotely via zoom/telephone 086 3891917 email:tracymckeague@yahoo.com - Facebook/instagram @tracymckeaguecounselling