Spring is here! When most people think about this time of year, one thing comes to mind…
Spring cleaning. While it’s very beneficial to go through your closet or clear out your refrigerator, there’s one important thing that’s often overlooked: mental health spring cleaning.
Mental health & spring cleaning
Mental health spring cleaning is all about figuring out what serves you and what doesn’t. It’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on your mental health and areas you want to improve.
Now is the perfect time for a fresh start, so consider if mental health spring cleaning could be the right choice for you. Everyone’s mental health is different, so finding the strategies and actionable steps that work for you is important.
Let’s go over some of our favorite mental health spring cleaning practices.
Happiness inventory
Grab your journal or a piece of paper and start making a list of everything that’s currently bringing you happiness. Once you’ve written down all your thoughts, reflect on your list. Are there things not on the list that you should remove from your life? Is there something bringing you happiness that you need to do more of?
Examine your self-talk
So many of us don’t speak kindly to ourselves. Whether you look in the mirror and think something negative or scold yourself unnecessarily for a mistake at work, self-talk can be extremely impactful. One great mental health spring cleaning practice is reflecting on your self-talk and identifying areas that you can work on.
Habits
Many of us have habits that we don’t even realize. As you go through your days, notice if there are any patterns that aren’t serving you. Consider how you can adjust those habits – it just might change your life!
Rest & reflect
So many of us are go go go all day long. From checking your phone to picking up kids from school and responding to work emails, it’s easy for the days to slip by. If you’re able, block out a few hours you can spend uninterrupted to reflect and rest. By giving yourself this time, you’re prioritizing your own well-being and may come to some important realizations.
Here are some questions to ask while reflecting:
- Where do I want to be in five years? What can I do today to bring me one step closer to that goal?
- What relationships in my life am I currently investing in?
- What activities make me feel alive and excited?
- When is my mental health at its best? When is it at its worst?
Trauma work
For many of us, unresolved trauma is holding us back from our full potential. One of the most powerful things you can do is commit to working through trauma with a professional. If you’re ready to begin this journey and want to speak with a licensed provider, feel free to reach out to the Online Virtual Counselors team.
Free 15-minute consultation with a real therapist – 973-221-2600
