I don’t know about you, but the sun setting past 6:00 p.m. is a welcome sign of spring arriving!  I’m thinking about time outside and the first flowers blooming. It’s a perfect time to clear away both physical and mental clutter as well.

Are you feeling ready for a mental refresh? Here are some ways to get started:

Take a few quiet moments to notice how you’ve been thinking. I notice that I have a “complaining mind” that is often looking for what isn’t going well. I must work to be grateful! I can practice daily to notice the little things that give me joy or awe. Being grateful for what I already have opens doors to the things that I want to manifest as well.

Look around at the rooms in your home and see if you can make a small change. Rearranging furniture, painting a wall or buying some spring flowers helps the mind to focus on beauty which then enhances our mental health. 

When I want to let go of a grudge, a fear or resentment, I write that down on small pieces of paper and then deposit them in a special box I have. Doing this gesture acts as a symbolic letting go. Every time I think about that grudge, fear or resentment again, I remind myself that I placed them in a box and that frees up my mind to focus on other things.

A self-care toolkit is another way to enhance your mental health in this time of renewal. Personally, I have some essential oils, some fidget toys and some cards with affirmations in my toolkit. Think about what you could include in yours and then when you’re having an “off” day, utilize the toolkit to give your mood an uplift.

When the weather changes, I notice that I want to be out more with my friends and loved ones. Reach out to someone near and dear to you and plan an outing, a coffee or lunch, or a walk. Connection is so crucial to our mental health whereas isolation can be deleterious to it.

If you need some help with your mental health, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Ohio State University Employee Assistance Program (EAP) by calling 800-678-6265 or by going here.