Here’s How You Can Maintain Your Mental Health As the Seasons Change

Human beings and their overall well-being have an intricate connection to nature. As the days become shorter and get colder, older adults go through a change in their energy levels and mood. Consequently, depression sets in. During the summer, the bodies get worn down. Prolonged periods in heat lead to sleeplessness, lack of appetite, lethargy, and dehydration. That causes aggressive behavior in humans.

Anxiety is pretty common in older adults. The coronavirus pandemic is still not yet over. Therefore, one needs to recognize that times won’t be the same again. It’s time to come up with new practices that focus on physical and mental well-being. The seasons are changing. Below are some tips on how you can maintain your mental health.

Self-Evaluation

When you acknowledge your feelings, you can feel less overwhelmed by the sudden changes in your life. You need to give yourself some time so that you can go through your emotions and sort them the way you think would be suitable for you. You can spend some quiet time all by yourself figuring things out. You can also discuss it with your friends who will be able to help you in such a situation.

If you are having a tough time figuring out your feelings and emotions, you can use the S.T.O.P. method. First, stop whatever you are doing for a moment. Next, take a deep breath. Focus on natural breathing and follow your inhalation and exhalation through the nose. Your entire attention should be on your breathing. Third, observe your emotions. Keep a track of your feelings and emotions. Thoughts are never facts and therefore, they won’t stay with you for long. According to research conducted by the University of California, you can experience a calming effect on your mind by just naming your emotions. Last but not the least, try to look out for support. You can have a glass of water to calm yourself or talk to a friend for emotional support.

Acknowledge Your Loss

While Spring is associated with joy, celebration, and rejuvenation, one should also remember that the world is still reeling under the effect of a pandemic that has taken millions of lives in its grasp. You might not be able to do things that you would in normal times. If you don’t have a loved one close to you and are missing them badly, plan out something in their honor this Spring.

If you have to leave school or have lost your job, think about the challenges that you had to face and figure out what you have learned during the tough times. If it has been your mistake, reflect on that and try to learn from that. Even if your loss hasn’t been of a very large scale, it’s healthy to acknowledge the loss.

Make the Most of Every Moment

Things were different before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the entire world has gone through a change and there is no denial of this fact. With that being said, there are a bunch of exciting Spring activities you can indulge in.

You can clean your home or workstation, spend some relaxing days on the beach or park, of course, maintain physical distance. If you aren’t able to do anything that you were badly expecting to do, think of other alternatives during the pandemic. If you are heartbroken about parties getting called off, arrange for a small outdoor gathering.

Practice Gratitude

Identify all the things you are grateful for. It can be your employment status, your health, your favorite song, or anything else. When you are grateful for all the lovely things in your life, you will experience a decrease in your anxiety and depression levels. Lower depression and anxiety mean you will have quality sleep, improved immunity, and a better mood. It’s important to put all the negative things on the back burner and appreciate whatever positive is happening in your life. This is a major step to ushering in happiness in your life.

Self-care is crucial since it leads to better physical and mental well-being. Try to be proactive always and come up with a seasonal self-care plan. You will automatically notice a difference in your life.