We can support our family’s mental health throughout the year, but spring uniquely encourages us to boost moods and strengthen family bonds. Mental health expert Noel McDermott offers valuable insights into the seasonal transition from one emotional state to another, particularly for families and their children.

Noel McDermott said: “For us, it’s the transition from inside to outside as the weather improves, and we must see this as much as a health transition as a seasonal one. One tradition we do seem to hold is spring cleaning our homes, opening windows and doors to let in fresh air. Research strongly supports the link between maintaining a clean home and mental health. Cleaning reduces stress, provides physical exercise, empowers us, and enhances cognitive functions like concentration. Its impact is global, irrespective of individual attitudes towards cleaning. The conclusion is straightforward – all hands on deck for the spring clean.”

Beyond seasonal cleaning, regular family involvement in maintaining a clean home can significantly enhance mental health. Although children might initially resist, the practice imparts valuable life skills and boosts their well-being. Monthly spring cleans, for example, establish sustainable housekeeping habits while simultaneously improving health. Today’s health industry often packages well-being as a consumer product, making integration challenging. But embedding simple habits like cleaning into family life can yield sustained health benefits without the need for commercialised fitness routines.

To foster better mental health in children, parents should harness children’s natural desire for fun and social connection. Social interactions and physical activities form the core of mental wellness. Historically, humans thrived as social, nomadic hunter-gatherers; thus, group activities stimulate positive neurological rewards, tricking the brain into a sense of communal survival and fulfilment.

For younger children, visiting play parks and engaging with jungle gyms can enhance their mental well-being. Older children may benefit from structured group activities like paddle boarding, canoeing, hill walking, or survival camps. Activities such as boxing or kickboxing also provide significant mental health advantages, helping young people manage aggression and stress. High-intensity training activities effectively regulate cortisol, a stress hormone detrimental if not adequately managed.

Teaching core values supports emotional resilience.

Families also play a crucial role in developing emotional resilience and conflict management skills, essential for navigating today’s complex and often stressful world. By fostering open communication and instilling core values, families can equip children with critical life skills:

• Safety is paramount. Everyone should feel safe expressing their concerns and seeking help both within and outside the family structure. Emphasising this encourages children to speak openly about their experiences and relationships, ensuring they receive necessary support and love.
• Emotional intelligence (EQ) must be nurtured. Regularly encouraging children to identify and verbalise their feelings builds emotional intelligence, an invaluable skill in social interactions. Expressing feelings clearly earns peer approval and reinforces positive emotional management.
• Consent, respect, and self-esteem matter. Teaching boys respect and consent and girls about self-esteem and boundaries establishes foundational relationship skills. Such values promote respectful interactions and protect young people from harmful situations.
• Diversity enhances resilience. Encouraging respect for differences among individuals expands children’s social circles, promoting adaptability and resilience. Diverse relationships stimulate brain growth through neuroplasticity, enhancing mental health and social skills.
• Open discussions promote understanding. Discussing world events openly within the family can address misinformation, encourage emotional regulation, and develop civic engagement skills. Such conversations help children manage fears, understand diverse viewpoints, and engage critically with information from various sources.

Noel McDermott, a psychotherapist and dramatherapist with over 30 years of experience across health, social care, education, and criminal justice sectors, heads Mental Health Works. His company specialises in tailored mental health services, assembling personalised care teams to meet individual and organisational needs.