By Ainsley Lambert

Hibernation might be for bears, but once the sun hits on a nice spring day in March, people come out of their winter hibernation, feeling the warm sun rays on their skin. The sun may be out during the winter, but the days do not feel the same. The days are shorter, the trees are bare and the grass is brown. There is not much happiness when you step outside and frostbite hits every area of your face.

These blues tend to disappear when Spring arrives. This feeling is not made up in our brains- it is called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which is a type of depression that can occur during the changes in seasons, usually starting in the winter because of cold days and less sunlight. The 

(Courtesy of Lake Behavior Hospital)     change to winter can cause people to stay inside more, be less active, less social and lose a sense of enjoyment. This is a normal reaction for people when they have been stuck inside all winter. Just as plants need sunlight and fresh air to grow, so do people. 

Weather does not just control what we wear but also our emotions. You may find yourself more irritable or not having as much interest in doing things that used to bring you joy. That may be because you don’t want to go out in the cold or it can also be because the lack of sunlight can actually have an effect on your brain chemicals. When spring arrives, it brings a boost to our bodies and brains.  There is a sense of renewal and excitement for the season ahead. The dreary days of winter begin to fade and this begins to have a more positive effect on our bodies. The warmer weather and longer days of sunlight bring people outside. If you drive by a park on one of the first nice days of spring you will see a full parking lot with crowded playgrounds and tennis courts. This nicer weather can increase energy levels and productivity and people begin to socialize more. The winter blues finally begin to disappear.  

After a long winter of hibernation, we are finally able to crawl out our holes! With hearing the chirping birds and smell of sweet flowers, it is time to get outside and feel the warm sun rays on your skin and enjoy the longer days. A new season has finally begun and we can soak it all in.

Courtesy of Lake Behavior Hospital