Dear Dr. Durtschi,
Lately, the weather has been up and down; a little sun, a lot of snow, more sun, even more snow, and now more sun...where is the Rain? Sometimes the sun shows up for more than fifteen hours in a day. I find I am experiencing more extreme swings in my mood. I feel energized by the sun and then the weather changes and I don’t feel like doing anything. I lose my motivation to be productive. Friends have suggested I may be experiencing what they call SAD (Seasonal Affect Disorder), but with so much sunlight I was wondering if it could be Spring fever?
See’ in the Light
Dear See’ in the Light,
There are some of us whose moods are directly affected by the weather. Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder along the lines of depression which is influenced by the decrease in light that occurs in late Fall when the light of the sun is minimized by increasing winter weather and darkness. Research in human physiology has found a correlation between decreased sunlight and an increase in the biochemical melatonin. Some people are directly affected by this change in season and the symptoms usually go away by early summer. There is a less common type of SAD known as summer depression, which usually begins in late spring or early summer and goes away by winter.
We are biological beings as shown by the fact that people in the Southern hemisphere who live in an opposite time and season have similar reactions and biological rhythms. Only theirs is set to an opposite seasonal cycle.
It could be, as you surmised, that you are experiencing spring fever—a term describing common psychological symptoms occurring during the spring. The energy generated by the change in weather can influence us in various ways; a feeling of excitement, restlessness, or laziness. For you, the wild swings in the weather may be causing a change in your normal routine and is disrupting your biological rhythms.
The term spring fever is often used when referring to the housewife’s urge to go on a rampage of springhouse cleaning. With the increase in sunlight we get busy putting our lives in order after a long winter. Once spring comes most people shake off their winter blues with a change in activities. Those experiencing spring fever are encouraged to ride the tide and endure the wave of emotional highs and lows until the seas calm and a balance is found and stability is secured.
Spring fever has not met specified criteria to be determined as a definitive diagnostic category; but it is considered to be a rapid and yet unpredictable fluctuating mood and energy state that contrasts with the relative low [of the] winter months that precede it,” stated Michael Terman, Director of the Center for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms at Columbia University Medical Center.
With the coming of spring there is an increase in sunlight and a decrease in melatonin, which affects the change in our biological clocks. The need for sleep is less and energy is on the rise.
For those interested in human physiology: Our biological clock is located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) which is found in the hypothalamus (which regulate emotions) and it monitors light through a pathway to the retina and conveys information about day length to the pineal gland.
Traditionally, springtime is the season of sunshine and rebirth. Spring can do more than lighten our mood; as stated by Alfred Lord Tennyson, “In the spring turn your thoughts to love.” The change in weather does have an effect.
Here are some helpful suggestions:
Move your body for a minimum of five minutes; walk, run, take the stairs, swim, weight lift, Yoga, or stretch. If you feel more comfortable do it at home, or if you need a commitment to get you there, go to the gym. Sign up for a race (run, bike, or swim), offer to volunteer or coach, join a team sport (softball, soccer, ultimate Frisbee). Commit yourself to a physical activity and get your body moving. The Nike motto ‘Just Do it’ remains a constant.
Seek change—a distraction will alter your thought patterns. Play with your dog, give to peers, plant a garden, bake cookies for a friend, cook something special, or read an inspiring book. Use your mind to create fun things to do and then go do it. Eat healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and drink fluids (good old fashioned H20) to fill you up and prevent carbohydrate cravings. Increase your intake of serotonin – that means more chocolate (Dark Chocolate) it is healthy and a happy mood enhancer. Start journaling your thoughts, and use humor. Postpone making major life decisions.
One of my favorite lines from a popular song is the Semisonic’s Closing Time “Every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end.” It is the time, regardless of the weather, to begin anew—smile and be happy!
Ask Shirley” questions can be focused on any topics involving sport psychology, competition, health, fitness, clinical questions, substance abuse, or personal issues. Please, email your questions to Askshirl@gmail.com . All questions will remain anonymous.
Shirley K. Durtschi is a Certified Consultant in Applied Sport Psychology (CC-AASP), with a Ph.D. and M.S. in Sport Psychology, is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and a Chemical Dependency Counselor II (CDCII) for the State of Alaska.