Are you feeling as sunny as the extended daylight hours? Or maybe work is more of a drag than usual? The diagnosis is out! Spring fever is in the air and you probably have it. Here are six signs that you’ve fallen prey to the tantalizing breath of spring.
You’re uncharacteristically cheerful
When daylight savings time comes around and snatches up an hour of valuable sleep, it’s hard to fathom that anyone could be anything but exceptionally cranky. Yet, despite missing an extra hour to hit snooze through, you’re a walking poster child for a toothpaste company due to the smile plastered on your face. This could be due to the fact that we’re exposed to more sunlight, which increases the production of serotonin, which in turn affects our mood. Pretty cool!
You have an inexplicable urge to tidy up
There might not be a physiological explanation for this, but we tend to spruce things up when springtime rolls around. The tradition to clean during the spring has roots in Western, Jewish, Iranian and Chinese cultures. We may just be creatures of habit, but I for one have noticed a renewed love of all things disinfectant as the days get balmier.
You feel energized
Spring is long associated with cute little Easter bunnies. When you think of bunnies, who doesn’t think of the Energizer Bunny? A coincidence? Yeah, probably. Regardless, springtime is associated with higher levels of energy. Sunlight suppresses the release of melatonin – a hormone associated with our energy levels. Whether that means donning a pair of running shoes or tackling a previously daunting task at work, use these extra hours of sunlight to your advantage!
You feel the urge to “get busy” … in more ways than one
While the increased sunlight has an impact on our overall energy and productivity, studies also suggest that spring influences mammal reproduction cycles. Translation: in the spring, we tend to crave more sex. This is especially true for women. Not only do women have an increased sexual appetite in the spring, there are typically more births in the spring and summer months than during the rest of the year.
You’re sleepy in all the wrong places
Even though you’re feeling a surge of unbridled energy, you feel lethargic at work or school and have a hard time paying attention. Since your body isn’t producing as much melatonin, your regular sleep schedule could be interrupted, and it might take a while to readjust. And the budding trees and flowers just outside your window could result in the captivating daydreams characteristic of spring fever.
You eat like a rabbit
Our diets are also affected by the change in weather. Probably due to the fact that in farming cultures fresh produce is typically available only in the springtime, we tend to crave more foods that are lighter in carbs and heavier on vitamins and healthy proteins. It makes sense that since we tend to hole up in the winter and get out more in the spring, our bodies crave different foods to meet the different biological needs.
Sources:
Clark, J. (2018). Why do we traditionally clean our homes at the beginning of spring? Retrieved March 2018, from How Stuff Works: https://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/household-hints-tips/cleaning-organizing/spring-clean-in-spring1.htm
Freitag, M. (1989, March 22). Spring Fever, Down to a Science. Retrieved March 2018, from The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/22/garden/spring-fever-down-to-a-science.html
Nicholson, C. (2007, March 22). Fact or Fiction?: “Spring Fever” Is a Real Phenomenon. Retrieved from Scientific American: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fact-or-fiction-spring-fever-is-a-real-phenomenon/
Reynolds, D. (2010, April 22). Is Spring Fever For Real. Retrieved March 2018, from Emax Health: https://www.emaxhealth.com/1506/spring-fever-real.html
