When spring arrives each year, it creates interesting behaviors in folks all over Omaha. Suddenly, we see neighbors we haven’t seen since last fall. We see the trees budding, just itching to grow new leaves. And toward the end of spring, the brown grass slowly begins to green up, perfectly timed with the warm weather. But perhaps the best part of spring is that it is a natural mood lifter. As we get more access to and exposure to vitamin D, we gain a cheerfulness that might have fallen to the wayside during the previous season.

Tips to Brighten Your Mood This Spring in Omaha

The reduction of sunlight commencing in the fall and running throughout our winters can increase the risk of moodiness and lethargy. Much of this is due to winter-onset seasonal affective disorder (SAD). When we lose access to vitamin D, and when the sun goes down so early, it can throw off our circadian rhythm and increase feelings of anxiety and depression. But with the coming of spring, we regain the opportunity to make our way outside. Whether you’ve been feeling down this winter or just have some built-up excess energy to burn, we have a few tips to help brighten your mood this spring in Omaha. 

1. Get outside.

When spring arrives, take the opportunity to get outside and indulge in all the outdoors have to offer. As the weather gets warmer, you can indulge in outdoor meals, read outside on the patio, and take walks around the local pond or nearby walking trails.

This spring, why not set a personal goal to spend a certain amount of hours outside each month. Write it down and then track your success toward your goal each week. According to the National Recreation and Park Association, as little as 20 minutes a day spent outdoors helps reduce stress. So, set a goal to spend 90 minutes to two hours outside weekly. Consider kicking it up a notch, and turn your goal into an exercise and mood journal. Write down how you feel each day after you spend some time outdoors each day. You might see that the more time you spend outside, the less stress and anxiety you have.

2. Take on a project in the yard.

Springtime is a great opportunity to plant a garden, and it’s a great way to spend more time together as a family. Mark off some space in the yard and give everyone in the family a small section to plant something they want to try. If planting an entire garden seems overwhelming or you don’t have the space, try a planter garden. Plant some lettuce if you want to try eating better this spring too. Almost all varieties of lettuce can be grown in containers. 

As you grow vegetables, fruits, and flowers, find a way to incorporate your yield into your daily life. Set fresh flowers on the table for dinner. Make a fruit cobbler from the fruit grown in your garden. Have a salad night once a week to enjoy your fresh lettuce. Planting a garden gives you more exposure to the outdoors and can also help encourage a healthier diet.

3. Get you and your family laughing.

They say that laughter is the best medicine, and they’re certainly right (whoever they are). It brings people closer and triggers healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. And laughter is an excellent stress reliever. According to the Mayo Clinic, laughter stimulates your heart, lungs, and muscles. It also activates and relieves your stress response and soothes tension.

So, do something fun with friends or family. Read a funny book or watch funny YouTube videos together. Play a fun game. Why not make your own family-friendly TikTok video? The opportunities are endless, but trust us, the laughter never ends.

4. Give your furry friends some love.

Fido is probably itching to get outside as much as, if not more, than you are. So spend some time with your furry friend this spring and show them some love. Get outside for a walk. Or set up a lead in the yard and picnic with your pet. Make a pet parent resolution this spring and see how interacting with animals can decrease cortisol levels and lower blood pressure. Not only that, but some quality time with your devoted companion can reduce the feelings of loneliness, increase the feelings of social support, and boost your mood.

5. Do some spring cleaning.

There is quite a bit of psychology behind spring cleaning. And while springtime makes it easier to get out with the old and in with the new, there is much more to it. Opening up the windows, deep cleaning the closet, and decluttering surfaces and drawers can lighten your mood, improve your health, increase productivity, make you feel better about yourself, and put a little spring in your step (see what we did there?).

6. Demonstrate kindness to others.

When was the last time you randomly sent a note (yes, via snail mail) to a family member or friend? When was the last time you called someone to tell them how much you care? With the proliferation of devices and media in today’s society, it can be so easy to rely on text communications or Facebook to communicate with one another. And though those conveniences offer many benefits, a surprise note in the mail or a phone call from a friend or family member to someone who might be feeling blue can really go a long way.

If you already do a great job staying in contact with family members or friends, why not kick it up and pay it forward in some way? Pay for someone else’s coffee at your local coffee shop. Volunteer at a soup kitchen. Find a new way to give back to your community this spring in Omaha.

7. Experiment with some new springtime snacks.

As the weather warms, many of us start thinking about healthier eating. If you’ve taken on the challenge to spend more time outside this spring in Omaha, why not accompany that time outside with some yummy snacks the whole family will love? Pack some nuts or dried fruits to take with you on an afternoon walk. Try a new salad recipe each week to use that lettuce you are growing in pots on your patio. Whatever you try, springtime is a great time to experiment with new healthy foods.

Smile more with a dental treatment from your family dentist in Omaha, NE.

With the spring comes more time with family and friends doing fun things. And that means more photo opportunities and selfies. But if you don’t love your smile, you might not like flashing those pearly (or not-so-pearly) whites for a photo. Spring in Omaha is a great time to visit your dentist for your routine professional dental cleaning. So why not ask about a smile makeover and cosmetic dentistry treatments to help you feel like smiling more? After all, smiling is just about the best mood booster there is.

Schedule your professional dental cleaning each spring and fall with The Tooth Doc.

The spring and fall seasons are perfect times to get into The Tooth Doc for a professional cleaning and oral evaluation. Summer is done, and you can get your teeth in good shape before hibernating for winter. And spring is also a great time to clean up those teeth after some cheat meals over the holidays. Whenever your perfect schedule is, The Tooth Doc is ready to see you. Request an appointment today.