Mindful Renewal: A Fresh Start for Spring

The days are getting longer. Flowers are starting to bloom. The unmistakable scent of seasonal allergies is in the air. With the arrival of spring, many of us notice a shift - not just in nature, but in our mood and energy levels. There’s a collective sense of renewal, a desire to clear out the old and make space for the new. Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home; it’s also an opportunity to declutter your mind and cultivate a fresh perspective. Mindfulness offers a way to reflect on the past season and embrace the present with intention. 

What is Mindfulness and Why is it Important?

Mindfulness is a bit of a buzzword these days, but what does it actually mean? While mindfulness has roots in traditional Buddhism and Hinduism spiritual practices – where it often carries religious, existential, and/or ethical dimensions – its Western adaptation focuses primarily on presence and awareness. 

Stripped down to its core, mindfulness is the opposite of “going through the motions.” A mentor once told me, “Pay attention on purpose.” That’s mindfulness in a nutshell – experiencing the present moment with curiosity and without judgment. It’s about noticing what’s happening in and outside of you without trying to force or change the outcome. 

Studies have shown that mindfulness-based interventions can literally change the structure of your brain (the volume, to be precise) which results in sustained attention and improving pain management. And for those of you thinking, Who cares if my brain gets bigger?, the benefits go far beyond biology. Research has found that people who practice mindfulness are less likely to experience depression, social anxiety, and emotional dysregulation AND report higher levels of overall life satisfaction than people who did not incorporate mindfulness practices into their daily lives. 

Getting Started

Practicing mindfulness doesn’t require meditation or chanting mantras (although it can). It can be found in everyday activities – walking, eating, and even washing dishes. It’s more about the “how” than the “what.” When done with intention, these simple actions become grounding practices that help us engage fully with our lives. 

As we settle into spring, I invite you to consider the following prompts to guide your reflection. 

• What lessons did winter teach me?

• What am I ready to let go of as I step into spring?

• How can I invite more presence and intention into my daily life? 

• What brings me joy, and how can I make space for more of it? 

Closing Thoughts

Spring is a season of transformation, a time to shake off the heaviness of winter and step into new possibilities. By incorporating mindfulness into this seasonal shift, we can create more balance, awareness, and joy in our daily lives. Whether you start with a few deep breaths, a mindful walk outside, or journaling your thoughts, know that small, intentional moments can make a big difference.

Sources:

Siew, S., Yu, J. Mindfulness-based randomized controlled trials led to brain structural changes: an anatomical likelihood meta-analysis. Sci Rep 13, 18469 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-45765-1

Keng, L., Smoski, M. J., & Robins, C. J. (2011). Effects of Mindfulness on Psychological Health: A Review of Empirical Studies. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(6), 1041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2011.04.006