• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
instagram icon facebook icon pinterest icon email icon telephone icon

We are accepting clients in our Philadelphia area offices and virtually.

search icon
therapy for women center logo

therapyforwomencenter.com

Therapy for Women

  • Therapists
  • Services
    • In-Person Therapy
    • Virtual Therapy
    • Low Cost Therapy
    • Couples Therapy
    • Nutrition
    • Psychiatry
    • EMDR
    • All Services
  • Specialties
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Eating Disorders
    • OCD
    • Trauma
    • Grief
    • Substance Use
    • Women’s Issues
    • LGBTQ+
    • Teens
    • All Specialties
  • About
    • FAQ & Rates
    • Our Story
    • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Get Started
instagram icon facebook icon pinterest icon email icon email icon
  • Therapists
  • Services
    • In-Person Therapy
    • Virtual Therapy
    • Low Cost Therapy
    • Couples Therapy
    • Nutrition
    • Psychiatry
    • EMDR
  • Specialties
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Eating Disorders
    • OCD
    • Trauma
    • Grief
    • Substance Use
    • Women’s Issues
    • LGBTQ+
    • Teens
  • About
    • FAQ & Rates
    • Our Story
    • Locations
    • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Get Started
Home / Anxiety

Why It’s Important to Prioritize Self Care This Spring

Published on 5/4/23 , Updated 8/21/24
by Julie Belling, LCSW

The changing of the seasons is always very symbolic: nature blooming, the warmth of the sun, and animals waking from hibernation. Springtime is my absolute favorite in Philadelphia. I love seeing the city bustling and the beautiful colors of the trees and flowers.

This time of year can positively impact our mental health as we get more sunlight and enjoy fun outdoor activities. It can also be common to put aside the care we’ve put into ourselves only to face challenges again during the colder months. But, setting self-care aside can lead to depression and anxiety affecting us during the warmer months too, which can leave us feeling disappointed and let down.

Amanda White of Therapy For Women Center

Have you ever beat yourself up about not wanting to get out of bed on a beautiful day? Or, have you ever felt too anxious to attend social events only to be hit with FOMO? This is why a regular self-care routine can be vital, and using the newfound energy/motivation of spring can help kick-start this!

Taking care of ourselves should not be reserved for certain times of the year; it is lifelong work. It is a commitment to the relationship with ourselves, just like we would care for any other type of relationship. Seasonal intentions like New Year’s Resolutions generally only create temporary change that often disappoints people. So how do we use the boost of springtime energy to make long-lasting changes?

How to Prioritize Self Care

First, start with a small goal.

Think of a goal and strip it down to the most minor, realistic step you can take. For example, if going on walks is your goal, start with 15 minutes three times per week. Or, if you want to start meditation, find a quick five-minute session to begin. Still too big of a goal? Break it down further and leave the shame behind!

We’ve been taught to think “bigger, faster, stronger,” but that mindset usually leaves us crashing later or unable to start at all. I see plenty of programs and fads that promote quick fixes, like “get x, y, or z in 30 days.” I recommend staying away from these- they are designed to make money off of us feeling bad about ourselves, to begin with!

Second, understand your intentions behind self-care.

An essential piece to long-term self-care is understanding your intentions. Why are you making these goals? Is it because society tells you to, or do they align with your values? Self-care shouldn’t focus on productivity or changing your body. It should focus on what feels restorative and improves your relationship with yourself!

Need help figuring out where to start? Try breaking self-care into relevant categories: physical, mental, spiritual, social, financial, etc. List one or two small changes you want to commit to in each category. This can be a great brainstorming tool and a way to hold yourself accountable.

Third, call upon support.

Speaking of accountability, what support can you call upon to help you with these new changes? A therapist is a great resource, who can empower you to take care of yourself and explore negative thinking or beliefs that might be barriers. See if you can call a partner, friend, family member, or neighbor to support you with these goals.

Self-care has a lot to do with how we feel about ourselves. We cannot pour from an empty cup and we are not full of limitless energy. If you are like me and feeling motivated by the warm weather, use it to care for yourself! Warmer months do not have to be a time of FOMO and anxiety if we choose to be conscientious.

Self-care is a year-round, life-long commitment.

Many of us face the consequences of foregoing self-care during the summer when fall and winter roll around. Symptoms such as burnout, fatigue, and isolation are common. But we can reduce the impact of these symptoms by viewing self-care as a year-round and life-long commitment, even when our symptoms may not be as evident in the summer! Keeping up with your therapy is a great example.

A metaphor I like to use is running a marathon. Suppose you wait to train until a few weeks before- your chance of success is much lower than if you were to focus on deliberate training throughout the year. Just like a marathon, we can feel like giving up when self-care feels like too large of a task. But you will thank yourself later if you begin developing the skills now, when they feel easier to implement!

Be sure to tune in to my Instagram @juliebtherapy to get more ideas!


Julie Belling specializes in trauma, substance use, adolescents, LGBTQ+ mental health, anxiety, and depression. To learn more about Julie, read her bio here.

Therapy for Women Center offers therapy services in PA, NJ, and 42 states online. Get in touch here and find us in-person:

  • Center City, Philadelphia
  • Old City, Philadelphia
  • Main Line, Pennsylvania
  • Collingswood, New Jersey
Share This Post:

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts
girl holding happy new year sign
How to Deal if You Quit Your New Year’s Resolution
How to Work Through a Quarter-Life Crisis
women in therapy vs coaching
The Truth About Therapy Versus Coaching: Which One Do You Really Need?

Primary Sidebar

therapy for women center office - old city, philadelphia
About Therapy for Women

We believe in doing therapy differently. As a holistic therapy practice in Philadelphia and online, we match you with a therapist that not only specializes in, but truly understands, what you are going through. LEARN MORE.

Connect With Us
instagram icon facebook icon pinterest icon email icon email icon
Categories
Anxiety Depression Eating Disorders LGBTQ+ OCD Grief Therapy for Teens Therapy for Women Trauma
Resources
Get Started Services Specialties Therapists Locations

Is therapy right for you?

Subscribe to our newsletter and we’ll walk you through the process! Download our FREE workbook, 15 Things To Know Before Starting Therapy.

Success! Go check your email! 
About Therapy for Women

Therapy for Women is a team of therapists dedicated to helping you break free from negative patterns and live the life you always wanted. Serving Philadelphia and 42 states online.

therapy for women couch illustration
Our Practice
About
Therapists
Services
Specialties
Modalities
Careers
Client Login
Locations
location-iconlocation-iconOld City
123 Chestnut St #402
Philadelphia, PA 19106
location-iconlocation-iconCenter City
2133 Arch St #303
Philadelphia, PA 19103
location-iconlocation-iconMain Line
33 Rock Hill Road #100
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
location-iconlocation-iconCollingswood
900 Haddon Avenue #414
Collingswood, NJ 08108
Info & Rates
Rates & Insurance
FAQ
Blog
Podcast
Connect
Book Appointment
Contact Us
Book a Call
Events
instagram icon facebook icon pinterest icon

[email protected]

•

215-847-6749

back to top arrow
Back to Top
© THERAPY FOR WOMEN CENTER 2025 • ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Site by Wallflower