Seasonal Variations in Mood and Affect
For those of us in the northern hemisphere, meteorological winter finally came to an end this week, with longer days and warmer temperatures expected in the coming months. The combination of covid restrictions, cold weather, and low sunlight didn’t do us any favors in terms of mental health, but as we enter the spring season there may arise more opportunities to find joy and optimism. In this blog, we’ll explore the science of seasonal variations in mood and affect and discuss how you can take full advantage of spring.
Starting in late fall and continuing through the winter months, many people experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) due to a lack of sunlight exposure that affects hormone levels in the brain. SAD is a depressive disorder that causes feelings of sadness, tiredness, lack of motivation, and other symptoms typical of clinical depression. However, as winter transitions to spring, affected individuals are exposed to more sunlight, which rebalances hormones and decreases depressive symptoms. Levels of serotonin and vitamin D in the human body significantly increase during spring months.
Spring also affects our environment in a positive way. Plants and trees flower, barren hills of snow give way to green grass, and animals emerge from their winter slumber. Longer days mean earlier sunrises, which push us to get out of bed and start our day. Better weather allows us to stay outside longer and do activities like running and biking without experiencing physical discomfort due to temperature or precipitation.
A wide range of activities can help us experience the benefits of the spring season, especially important given the events of the past 12 months. One infamous activity that refers directly to the time of year is spring cleaning. While clearing the clutter from your living space is always a good idea, a thorough cleaning effort in the spring reinforces the idea of new beginnings and opens physical and mental space in the place you spend a large percentage of your waking hours. Clean living spaces are also shown to improve mood while lowering stress levels.
Another great way to take advantage of better weather is outdoor physical activity. Running and biking are classic outdoor activities that improve physical health, but don’t be afraid to think outside the box. If you’re a gym rat, move outside and try body weight exercises. If you’ve recently taken up yoga or a comparable fitness routine, practice on grass instead of a mat or the floor of your living room. Finally, if you’re lucky enough to have natural space easily accessible, now is the time to start hiking, fishing, camping, mountain biking, and enjoying nature in general.
