Stress Awareness in the Season of Renewal: Caring for Your Mind and Body This Spring

By Rose Degenhardt, MA, RCT, CCC

Registered Counselling Therapist | Founder & Clinical Director, Venture Counselling & Therapy

Inc.

Posted: April 16, 2026

When Stress Becomes Part of the Background

Stress is something most of us experience daily. In small doses, it can motivate us, help us meet deadlines, and push us to grow. But when stress becomes constant—lingering quietly in the background of our lives—it can begin to affect both our mental and physical health.

Many people don’t even realize how stressed they are until their bodies start sending signals.

Headaches, fatigue, irritability, poor sleep, and difficulty concentrating are often signs that the nervous system has been under strain for too long.

Spring, with its sense of renewal and fresh beginnings, offers a meaningful opportunity to pause and reflect on how stress may be affecting our well-being.

The Physical Effects of Chronic Stress

Our bodies are designed to respond to stress through what is often called the fight-or-flight

response. When we perceive a threat, our nervous system releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones help us respond quickly to danger.

The problem arises when stress becomes chronic.

Over time, long-term stress can contribute to:

• Increased anxiety and irritability

• Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep

• Muscle tension and headaches

• Digestive issues

• Weakened immune response

• High blood pressure

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

When our bodies remain in a constant state of alert, they struggle to return to balance.

Understanding this connection between stress and physical health is an important step in

recognizing when we need to slow down and care for ourselves differently.

Why Spring Is a Good Time to Reset

After the slower rhythms of winter, spring often brings a surge of activity. Schedules become

busier, social events increase, and many people feel pressure to catch up on everything they

postponed during colder months.

But spring can also be a time to reset our relationship with stress.

The longer days and warmer weather invite us outdoors, encourage movement, and naturally support the body’s regulation. Even small moments spent in nature—walking, sitting in the sun, or noticing the changing landscape—can help calm the nervous system.

Renewal in nature reminds us that restoration is possible for us as well.

Stress Management Techniques That Support Mental Health

Managing stress doesn’t require dramatic life changes. Often, the most effective techniques are simple and consistent.

Some helpful approaches include:

Movement

Regular physical activity helps the body release built-up tension. Walking, stretching, yoga, or

gardening can all support nervous system regulation.

Breathing and Grounding

Slow, intentional breathing helps signal safety to the body. Practicing deep breathing for even a few minutes can reduce stress hormones and restore calm.

Time in Nature

Exposure to natural environments has been shown to lower cortisol levels and improve mood.

Spring provides an ideal opportunity to reconnect with outdoor spaces.

Healthy Boundaries

Stress often increases when we take on more than we can realistically manage. Learning to say no, delegate tasks, or create space for rest can be protective.

Connection with Others

Talking with trusted friends, family members, or a therapist helps process stress rather than

carrying it alone.

A Gentle Spring Practice

If you’re looking for a simple way to support stress reduction this season, consider creating

a daily five-minute spring reset.

Step outside, take several slow breaths, and notice your surroundings. Pay attention to sounds, colors, and sensations. This small pause allows your nervous system to shift out of constant alert and reconnect with the present moment.

Moments like these may seem small, but they add up.

A Personal Reflection

As both a therapist and someone who has navigated demanding seasons in life—raising children, building a practice, and balancing many roles—I know how easy it is to normalize stress.

Sometimes we don’t realize how tense we’ve become until we slow down long enough to notice it.

Spring reminds me that renewal doesn’t happen through pressure. It happens through space, rest, and gentle shifts in our daily rhythms.

Final Thoughts

Stress may be a natural part of life, but chronic stress does not have to be our default state.

This spring, consider giving yourself permission to reset. Slow down when needed, reconnect

with your body, and create moments of calm within the busyness of life.

Just as nature begins again each year, we too can cultivate renewal—one small step at a time.

Sign-Off

With compassion for the pressures we carry and hope for a season of renewal ahead,

Rose Degenhardt, MA, RCT, CCC

Registered Counselling Therapist

Founder & Clinical Director

Venture Counselling & Therapy Inc.

A Reflection for You

What is one small change you could make this spring to help your body and mind release stress and move toward balance?