As the weather begins to warm up and the days get longer, spring is a perfect time to work on your mental health and finish out the year strong. After months of cold weather and snow, school stress and snow days leave many students feeling burnt out. Here are a couple ways you can reduce stress and improve your mental health and wellbeing! 

1. Get Outside

Spending time outdoors is the best way to slow down  and disconnect from social media and school work stresses. Try going for a walk, playing sports, or even just doing homework outside; fresh air and sunlight can help reduce stress and improve focus. 15-20 minutes of outside time a day makes a noticeable difference and can overall improve your wellbeing. 

2. Try a New Hobby 

Spring is a great time to learn or try a new hobby. Picking up a hobby like painting, baking, gardening, needlepoint, or even trying a new sport can help you feel more motivated. Hobbies give your brain a break from schoolwork and especially social media!

3. Stay Active 

You don’t need to go to the gym every day but doing simple activities like biking, playing basketball with friends, or even going for a jog can improve your mood. Staying active should not feel like a chore. Sometimes even just working out with a group of your friends can help you and them stay motivated! Student Allie Korn comments, “I love going on runs and playing volleyball to decrease my stress and stay active. 

4. Connect with Friends 

After a long winter, spring is a great time to reconnect with friends. Sometimes during the school year it can be really easy to not have time to hangout with friends.  Hanging out with friends, even if it’s just for a little bit, can reduce feelings of loneliness and anxiety. Try planning something like going on a walk, studying at the library, or getting food together. And if you haven’t talked to a friend in a while, reach out and check up on them! Ella Falconeri says, “I love playing soccer and hanging out with friends to relax and not get overwhelmed.”

5. Clean and Refresh Your Space

It’s so important to have a clean and fresh space to work at and in! Making sure to get rid of clutter and extra unnecessary trinkets. Set yourself up for success with a clean space! 

Mental Health is just as important as physical health, most importantly during the busy school year. This spring try to do activities that lower your stress and promote healthy behaviors.