Finding Calm Amidst Chaos
Find Calm Amidst Chaos
Simple practices for the changing season
Are you feeling overwhelmed these days? You are not alone.
Shifting from Winter into Spring can be jarring, especially when the weather patterns shift seemingly overnight like they do in North Carolina. Sometimes Spring can feel magical…and sometimes it just feels exhausting. If you’re feeling more drained than cheerful as Spring approaches, you’re not alone.
Research has shown that the winter season–particularly, the holiday season–can be hard on our mental health [1-4]. Short days , less sunshine and Vitamin D, viruses a plenty; plus colder days means less physical activity and more time spent inside for many folks.
So goodbye Winter. Hello Spring! And yet…emerging into a new season-especially this time in-between Winter & Spring-can bring its own sort of chaos.
If you’re finding yourself struggling with the stress of the changing seasons, consider giving these simple practices and mantras a try:
1. Do what works. Resist the urge to do it all and give yourself permission to say no. Set the limits you need, so you can show up fully to the things that really matter. TLDR: You don’t need to pack your schedule this upcoming season just because the weather is getting sunnier. In fact, making choices & plans that work for you allows you to slow down & enjoy what is on your plate.
2. Embrace that things won’t be perfect. When we open up to imperfection, we give ourselves permission to find joy & beauty in the present moment, no matter how messy it is-and sometimes the in-between can feel downright messy. As the seasons change, be kind to yourself & know that you aren’t alone in feeling a little off kilter.
3. Warm up & move your body. Some of us shut down & retreat when we are stressed or feeling overwhelmed. And the Winter months have reinforced the comfort of our couch cocoons (guilty). Without putting pressure on yourself, can you warm back up to movement slowly & (dare I say) joyfully by spending some time outdoors or re-committing to a weekly yoga practice? Looking for that middle ground between being a homebody & getting active? Consider an online movement class! Whole Mama Yoga has several options for weekly online yoga!
4. And, make time for rest. Some of us tend to go, go, go when we’re stressed, especially as the days grow longer & pressure mounts to seize the day. But as grandma always said, “You can’t burn the candle at both ends.” Inevitably, you’ll burn out. To make your Spring season sustainable, consider budgeting in time for intentional rest. Doesn’t have to be anything fancy: take a few minutes in savasana, try a 5-minute guided breathing practice, take a warm shower….do what works! Looking to really budget your time wisely? Consider keeping one a day week completely plans free.
5. Check in with what matters most. Perhaps the changing seasons have you feeling a little adrift. If you find yourself feeling out of touch, perhaps, take moment to check in with yourself. What matters to you most? Time with family or friends? Being outdoors? Enjoying nourishing food? Rest? Movement? Whatever it is, find a way to prioritize and protect time for it.
And, when you get lost again in the chaos of any changing season, know that you can return once again to what matters most and let that be your guide.
references.
Ayers, J. W., Althouse, B. M., Allem, J. P., Rosenquist, J. N., & Ford, D. E. (2013). Seasonality in seeking mental health information on Google. American journal of preventive medicine, 44(5), 520-525.
Wirz-Justice, A., Ajdacic, V., Rössler, W., Steinhausen, H. C., & Angst, J. (2019). Prevalence of seasonal depression in a prospective cohort study. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 269(7), 833-839.
Meesters, Y., & Gordijn, M. (2016). Seasonal affective disorder, winter type: current insights and treatment options. Psychology research and behavior management.
Sansone, R. A., & Sansone, L. A. (2011). The christmas effect on psychopathology. Innovations in clinical neuroscience, 8(12), 10.
disclaimer.
this content is purely informational and not medical or mental health treatment or advice. if you are struggling, resources are available for help. check out the resources page for organizations that provide information on mental health and how to find support.