Spring Fever - from Real Life Magazine

In Canada, we are blessed with four distinct seasons with which to mark the passage of time. Spring is here. The warm sun melts the snow and uncovers fresh new growth. Its invigorating rays bring new life to all the Earth’s creatures, including you. If you are experiencing overwhelming feelings of excitement accompanied by bursts of energy and the urge to stir things up, you may be feeling the effects of vernalagnia, also known as “spring fever”. Just be careful that it doesn’t get the better of you and cause you to do things you might later regret!

The four distinct seasons of our Canadian climate each serve a purpose. The growth cycles of all living things are in sync with the changes in temperature and daylight, in particular. In winter, we are meant to rest and renew. The days are shorter, and the cold keeps many of us indoors for the better part of the day. The lack of exposure to sunlight has a definite effect on our mood and energy level, often leading to Seasonal Affective Disorder, or S.A.D. The darkness prompts our bodies to produce melatonin, which has a relaxing effect. Basically, we go into hibernation.

We should consider ourselves lucky, here in Canada. At least much of our winter is sunny. There are over half a million S.A.D. sufferers in Britain every year. The syndrome often leads to sleep problems, irritability, weight gain, and depression.

But after the spring equinox, when the days become noticeably longer and the sun’s rays become stronger, many people experience a definite ‘lift’ in their mood. The increased exposure to light causes our bodies to stop making melatonin, and our energy levels begin to rise. It is normal, as we adjust to the change in season, to want to sleep less and move around more. In most people, this leads to an overall feeling of wellbeing. For some people, however, the awakening from hibernation, as it were, is a bit more dramatic.

If you experience S.A.D. in the winter months, you may find the seasonal transition in spring to be a bit traumatic. Our bodies are constantly adjusting levels of natural chemicals, and as a S.A.D. sufferer, the sudden arrival of spring with its bright sunshine and longer days may leave you feeling like a bear whose deep sleep ended abruptly with a rude awakening. While normal mood elevation, increased confidence and renewed energy are a welcome change, drastic mood swings can lead to feelings of impatience and irritability.

Some of the biggest sufferers of spring fever are children, who spent the winter indoors and are now out in the sun for several hours a day. School teachers report a noticeable rise in mischievous behaviour when the weather gets warmer, as students seem to have more trouble concentrating in class.

Traditionally, the arrival of spring is our cue to get up and get going, get active, clean the house from top to bottom, and start renovations or projects. This urge to accomplish something satisfying and significant is a natural result of the positive feeling of wellbeing that comes from our emerging from hibernation. However, in some cases, that surge in energy is so intense that it sends the sufferer into an agitated state known as “hypomania”.

Symptoms of hypomania are: inability to sleep at night or to concentrate at work, talking and acting irrationally and spending excessively. This behaviour, combined with a marked rise in sexual energy, can lead to all kinds of rash decisions.

Women, in particular, often feel the urge to change their appearance, jobs or relationships in the springtime. These life-altering decisions require a good deal of contemplation at the best of times. It is wise to avoid making any big decisions if you feel you are in the midst of a dramatic mood swing. You don’t want to wake up mid-May after chopping off all your hair, quitting your job or leaving your partner and ask yourself “What have I done?!”

If you feel you are experiencing abnormal mood swings that are having a negative effect on your life, by all means see your doctor. But if you are just a bit edgy and tense after your long winter’s nap, there are many natural ways to start feeling like yourself again.

Start your day with some good stretching and strengthening exercises. Yoga and Pilates are adaptable to all ages and levels of ability, and with basic instruction, you can do the moves on your own, at home. Better yet, get yourself out of the house and socializing by taking a class at your local club or community centre.

The winter wind has dried out your skin, leaving it dull and pale. It’s time to head to the spa for a facial, to slough off the dead skin and uncover a natural, healthy glow. While you are there, consider a massage to loosen up those tight, achy muscles and rejuvenate circulation to your entire body.

If you eat foods that are good for you, and make sure to get outside for some fresh air and exercise every day, you should be able to sleep at night. Again, if sleep is elusive, and your irritability continues despite your best efforts, consult your doctor.

And if you do act on impulse and shave off all your hair, take heart. It will grow back, just in time to keep you warm through next winter.