A Curious Pattern We Notice Each Spring

In recent years, we’ve noticed an interesting pattern this time of year at our therapy practice. March, April, and May are consistently busy months as we’ve noticed an uptick in new clients reaching out for support or existing clients needing a little more support than usual.

At first glance, this seems surprising. March ushers in the onset of spring–a time when days get longer, weather starts to soften (or not always, here in Colorado…), and the world around us starts to wake up. The underlying cultural narrative around spring suggests this is when things should start to feel lighter or easier. 

However, emotionally, that isn’t always what happens, and I’d bet many of you have felt that tension before and maybe even feeling it now. 

There can be a paradox in spring that may be validating for you to hear. It often feels more natural and okay to feel down during the dark, cold winter months. It may feel more intuitive to withdraw and hibernate. In contrast, spring represents renewal, life, and relief externally. So if your internal world doesn’t match that shift, the difference can feel much more stark and scary than it may in the winter months. 

This disconnect between your internal and external worlds can create shame that says, “What’s wrong with me?” or “Why do I still feel like this?”

What Does Research Say?

Interestingly, research supports our clinical observations. Research has consistently found that suicide rates tend to increase during the spring and early summer months, rather than during winter months as many people assume. While we don’t know the exact reasons for this, we do know that studies consistently show a seasonal pattern that reflects what we see in our office. 

This does not mean that spring is inherently dangerous. It simply reminds us emotional struggles do not always follow the same narratives we expect. A beautiful, warm, sunny spring day may intensify the reminder that internally you feel stuck or in pain. 

Why Might This Happen? Possible Contributors

• Winter Fatigue: If you’re anything like me, this is usually the time when I start craving a change of scenery and get impatient. After months of short days and lower energy, our nervous systems often feel depleted by the onset of spring and are craving something different. 

• Pressure to Feel Better & Comparison: There’s a subtle message that says, “this is when things should start feeling better”. We see social media flooded with spring resets, more travel, starting new hobbies and routines, etc. For someone struggling mentally or emotionally, this creates unspoken pressure to feel differently than they really do. When we see others appearing to be energized, happy, and hopeful, it can amplify the fear that we’re falling behind. 

• Inflammation and Allergies: *Disclaimer* I am not a medical doctor, but I find some of the emerging research in this area extremely interesting. We know that spring brings an increase in pollen and environmental allergens, and some studies suggest that inflammation in the body may influence mood and mental health. The idea is that allergies increase inflammation, impacting sleep, energy levels, and overall physical stress on the body, which may subtly affect emotional well-being. While this connection is still being studied, it’s a helpful reminder that our mental health is very closely connected to what’s happening in our bodies and environments.

How Therapy Can be Supportive

When we’re struggling emotionally, it’s easy for our minds to jump to the question:

“What’s wrong with me?”

But a more compassionate place to start might be asking:

“What parts of me are trying to help right now?”

If this season feels difficult, you might notice different reactions showing up inside of you. Maybe there’s a part that constantly compares how you’re feeling to how others seem to be doing. Maybe there’s a pressuring voice insisting you should be more productive, happier, or more motivated by now. For some, there’s a part that wants to withdraw, or another that quietly worries nothing will change.

If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. These reactions are actually very common responses to stress, pressure, and emotional fatigue. Rather than being something to fight against, they are often attempts by your mind and body to navigate overwhelm in the best way they know how.

This is one reason therapy can be especially supportive during this time of year. Approaches like Internal Family Systems (IFS) help people become more curious about these inner reactions, allowing space for greater compassion instead of criticism. When we begin to understand our inner world with more gentleness, the shame that often accompanies emotional struggle begins to soften.

If this time of year feels heavier and harder than you expected, it doesn’t mean you are broken. Our inner worlds don’t always shift as quickly as the seasons do. Sometimes when the world outside begins to change, our internal systems simply need a little more care and attention to catch up.

If you resonate with this or find yourself feeling stuck in this season, therapy can offer a space to better understand what’s happening internally and discover new ways to move forward with support. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to schedule a free consultation with one of our therapists!

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