Spring Cleaning Your Brain: Is a Seasonal Brain Cleanse Good for Your Mental Health?
Article & Photos by: allie albanese
Experts say a change in seasons is a good time to take stock of your mental well-being. Here’s why and 5 ways to do it.
I read an interesting article in the New York Times a few weeks ago about “spring cleaning” your brain, and how according to experts, a change in season serves as a natural point to take stock of our mental well-being. Which I imagine for many of us has taken quite the beating given all we’ve endured both individually and collectively over the last few years, as well as the hardships the world continues to face now.
The idea is that we allow the change in seasons to serve as an impetus to internal change, and that we take the time to get really honest with ourselves about where we are emotionally, how we spend our time each day, and the choices we can make to ease the stress and anxiety in our lives. The article goes on to talk about how harmful (and actually degenerative!) stress is to our minds and bodies, and how we must find ways to offer our brains a respite by reconnecting with the things that bring us purpose and joy.
Some of the suggested ways to do so include:
- Practicing mindfulness
- Journaling
- Reducing information overload
- Decluttering your physical space
- Reconnecting with people you love
Of course a “cleaning of the brain” doesn’t have to coincide with a change of seasons, but personally, I like the idea as my brain functions well around determined starting and ending points. And coincidentally, one of the ways I’ve been cleaning my brain since the beginning of the year is to reduce my information overload. For me, this means taking 1-2 days every week to completely disconnect from social media, all news programs, and the internet as a whole. Which hasn’t been easy to do because my business relies upon all of the above, but it’s an effort that has made a marked difference in my overall well-being as I now spend that time either doing things I love or with people that I love. And no amount of money or business growth can ever compete with that!
What are your thoughts on a seasonal “brain cleansing”? What helps you to reconnect with the things that bring you purpose and joy?
A writer and photographer, Allie Albanese is the founder and curator of Parched Around the World. Here she aims to tell stories about the intersection of food, drinks, cultures, and traditions in places near and far.
Allie holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from American University and, for more than a decade, has worked as a freelance travel, food, and drinks journalist for various publications across the United States and abroad.
When not out exploring the world in search of the next story to tell, she calls her beloved St. Simons Island, Georgia home.
Disclosure: Articles throughout Parched Around the World may contain affiliate links, which means if you purchase something using one of them, I may earn a small commission for sharing items I personally use and love. This comes at no cost to you, but helps support Parched and allows me to keep this website running! For more information, please see my full Privacy Policy.
Hi Friends, I’m Allie!
I’m an Italian-German-Southerner with a deep passion for food, drinks & travel. After 15 years in NYC as a Certified Sommelier & cocktail creator, plus a stint in New Zealand learning how to make wine, I’m now back home in Georgia where I blend my love for culinary arts & travel into my work as a writer & photographer. Thank you so much for joining me here at Parched where I look forward to exploring the world together one bite, sip & adventure at a time!
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I love this article. It makes so much sense to do that, to spring clean your mind. I’m really enjoying reading all your articles and content. Keep them coming!
I’m so glad this concept made sense to you! Given how much messaging we are subject to and the stress we often put on ourselves to go go go, sometimes our brains really need a cleansing to make room for the things that truly bring us joy. 💚