As the seasons shift, so do our internal rhythms. Spring brings with it a sense of renewal and rejuvenation, but for many people it can also trigger a wave of unexpected overwhelm. Signs including mental fatigue, sleep disturbances, heightened anxiety, and a general feeling of disconnection are incredibly common.
Think about your routine. At this point it’s finely tuned to cope with the dark and the cold, and so suddenly it can feel hugely out of sync with the longer days and brighter mornings. Our hunger signals about when we want to eat will change, we now wake up to daylight but still feel groggy, and then at the end of the day find ourselves being more wakeful at our usual bedtime because it hasn’t got dark as early. When you break it down like this it sounds pretty logical doesn’t it!
If this is all ringing true for you find my top tips for gently recalibrating below.
1. Structure Gentle Change
No one, I repeat no one, switches into ‘spring mode’ like a light switch! So instead of being swept away by the idea of a tsunami-esque evolution of all of your habits, pick a few key points that matter most to you and in terms of creating a sense of stability amidst the change. Some examples could be:
- Reworking your morning routine - you might make the most of the brighter morning and instead of doing a home or gym based workout go out for a walk a few days a week.
- Adding in a different evening wind down - to support that calming sense to support your sleep. Maybe you decide to go to a yoga class on your way home from work as you have more energy to do so, or switch to candles at dinner (a sneaky trick that winds our nervous system down)
- Changing your meals up a bit - seasonal shift = seasonal food changes too, and that means our natural affinity for certain foods and meal formats is going to... you guessed it, change! Have a think about what it is you actually fancy eating now. If in the winter you were all about a more cosy breakfast maybe you now want something brighter, zestier and crunchier? If you were enjoying a hot coffee, cacao or matcha maybe you want something more refreshing (I am wholly dedicated to my blended olive oil, lemon, collagen and ice shots now!). Have a play, see what appeals.
- Think about your movement - the biggest internal shift we will see is a flip into being more stress resilient so if that tickle to exert yourself a touch more through increased strength training, or a bit more interval style burst activity comes then gradually start to honour that a bit. But slowly, remember - easy does it!
I often recommend visual aids like wall planners as these can be invaluable in helping you see the bigger picture of your week/month which really helps to prevent decision fatigue and overwhelm. Don’t forget to carve out pockets of free time too!
2. Prioritise Multi-Form Rest
So many of us forget to recognise that rest is not just about sleep. Yes physical relaxation is hugely important but it’s also about nurturing your mental, emotional, sensory, creative, social, and spiritual wellbeing. None of us is a Duracell bunny, so give yourself permission to slow down, to say no to the social engagement that will tip you over the edge, to indulge in activities that replenish your soul for no productive reason at all - just because they are fun, and to honour the natural ebb and flow of your energy.
- If you are finding your sleep, mood and general sense of wellbeing is still a little jagged I highly recommend using a bit of CBD oil to help tone your system to adjust. I recommend the HYTN Relax oil, pop 0.3-0.5ml under your tongue about 30 minutes before bed.
- The practice of NSDR is also magic! This stands for non-sleep deep relaxation and helps to tone the nervous system to be calm and stable. You could start or end your day with this, or do whilst commuting, in the back of a cab, or on a park bench for a reset! Some examples would be: Option 1, Option 2, Option 3.
- PEMF therapy can also be fantastic, find more information on how this works and why I recommend it here.
3. Reconnect with Nature
We are tied to the seasons, that is what this whole post is about! So if you want to smooth this transition as much as you possibly can get outside and let the natural rhythm of the world do it for you! Have you ever noticed how inherently calming just sitting outside with the sun on your face is? If you close your eyes and just tune into the sound of the world around you? The science behind this is bountiful but that is a talk for another time! In this case:
- Try to step outside first thing, at the brightest point of the day (noon) and as it gets dark. This will regulate your hormonal patterns faster, improve your sleep and stabilise your energy + mood.
- If you can pair this with actually feeling the earth beneath your feet, this increases the effects even more.
In Summary...
Seasonal overwhelm is an entirely natural response to the changing rhythms of nature. By being a little proactive and gentle with ourselves though we can navigate this transition with greater ease and resilience. I hope this post will help you to welcome the arrival of spring with open arms and open hearts, knowing that you have all the tools you need to thrive in any season.
