The Art of Starting Fresh
Spring is nature’s gentle nudge to begin again. After months of assignments, projects, and grey skies, this season offers more than just flowers; it’s a chance to recharge, reflect, and realign.
Nature Breaks to Reset the Mind
When you’ve been staring at your screen for hours, sometimes the best study strategy is to simply step away. Even a 10-minute walk outside can help clear mental fog. A 2024 study in Environmental Research found that students who spent time in green spaces not only had improved mood but also reported better cognitive performance. Whether you’re walking through campus or sitting under a tree, nature has a calming, restorative effect. So, as the weather begins to warm up, don’t forget to take advantage of it! Your brain needs breaks, and nature provides the perfect setting for mental rejuvenation.
Spring Cleaning for the Mind
Spring isn’t just about cleaning out your closet, it’s also the perfect time to declutter your mind. Taking a moment to organize your thoughts, write in a journal, or even tidy up your digital space can reduce stress and clear your head. A 2021 study in Family Advocate highlighted the importance of avoiding burnout by integrating mindful practices into daily life and maintaining mental clarity through time for self-care and relaxation. While technology makes all our lives easier, it is important to remember that we need to take breaks from it. In today’s digital world, we’re constantly bombarded with notifications and information. Stepping away from your devices for a bit can help you reconnect with the present moment, this way you can connect with nature and the people who are physically around you, it might help you feel calm and more relaxed this spring season.
Mindfulness, nature, and mental resets might not be on your syllabus, but they are just as important as any lecture. Taking time to relax, refresh, and recharge can be the secret to ending your semester strong. As everything outside blooms, let yourself breathe, reset, and grow too.
References
Mao, Yidi, Juan Zhang, Yihui Wang, and Yihan Zhang. 2024. “The Relationship between Trait Mindfulness and Academic Performance: A Meta-Analysis.” Educational Psychology 44 (6-7): 690–709. https://doi.org/10.1080/01443410.2024.2390957.
Mao, Yuheng, Tianyu Xia, Fan Hu, Dan Chen, Yichen He, Xing Bi, Yangcen Zhang, et al. 2024. “The Greener the Living Environment, the Better the Health? Examining the Effects of Multiple Green Exposure Metrics on Physical Activity and Health among Young Students.” Environmental Research 250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2024.118520.
Tepper, Roberta. 2021. “Being Evergreen: Avoiding Burnout.” Family Advocate 43 (3): 22–25. https://www.jstor.org/stable/27007039.
Yu, Jianhui, Changqin Huang, Tao He, Xizhe Wang, and Linjie Zhang. 2022. “Investigating Students’ Emotional Self-Efficacy Profiles and Their Relations to Self-Regulation, Motivation, and Academic Performance in Online Learning Contexts: A Person-Centered Approach.” Education and Information Technologies: The Official Journal of the IFIP Technical Committee on Education 27 (8): 11715–40. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11099-0.
