Spring and Summer Activities for Your Mental Health
Even as the weather begins to brighten and warm up, there are many people who find the spring and summer months almost – if not more – challenging to endure than winter. The sunshine and milder temperatures pull most people off the couch, outdoors, and into a flurry of social get-togethers. But those who are living with certain conditions, like bipolar depression, can often find it incredibly overwhelming to even think about. But there are effective ways that you can help tame that inner anxiety and optimize your mental health. Simple habits, like spending more time in nature, have been proven to significantly improve our emotional wellbeing. To learn how to optimize your health and wellbeing, here are a few practical but powerful spring and summer activities for your mental health that we recommend incorporating more into your daily routine.
Go for a Hike or Walk
There’s a large body of research that has proven just how essential it is to spend more time immersed in nature. In fact, in Scotland, doctors can now prescribe ‘spending more time in nature’ to their patients since it’s been proven to be so beneficial for our mental health and entire wellbeing. So if social gatherings aren’t your thing, that’s okay! Instead, try to make an effort to carve out at least 30 minutes each day to go for a hike or walk so you can soak up those soothing nature vibes and give your body and mind some reprieve.
Go Camping
Camping is another spring and summer activity that’s ideal for those who want to get out and spend time with a few good friends in a calm and nurturing environment. Pitching a tent, spending time around a campfire with people you feel comfortable with, and enjoying the picturesque setting can be a fun way to get out of the city and socialize in a non-intimidating kind of way.
Take a Book to the Park
Living with certain mental health conditions can often make it very difficult even to muster the will to leave your home. But as hard as it may be, try to really look for anything that can help entice and encourage you to do it anyway. If you have a thrilling book that you’re reading, bring it and a cup of coffee with you, plonk down on a bench or even on the grass in a park to enjoy some fresh air and vitamin D while you read. Even something as basic as this can be incredibly effective for improving your mental health and calming your mind.
Dedicate More Time to Exercise
Exercising regularly is fundamental for our health – and it’s even more important for those who are struggling with their mental health. Working up your heart rate with physical exercise lets your body blow off pent up energy while also releasing endorphins, which makes your body and mind feel great. If you’re not staying active, find a sport, join a class, or take up any activity that will get you moving more often.
Remember, you do have the power and the ability to improve your mental health. And the best part is, it doesn’t take much to do it. By incorporating more of these simple spring and summer activities into your daily routine, you can help yourself relearn how to take positive steps that can improve your entire wellbeing. If you’d like to talk with someone who can help, reach out to us at Ottawa Counselling. We offer professional support and guidance to help you manage your symptoms so you can enjoy what life has to offer. Contact us today to set up an appointment!