The Science Behind ‘Spring Fever’

The Science Behind ‘Spring Fever’

By Rachael Proud

Every winter I refuse to believe that I am not my best: dragging myself through basic self-maintenance, feeling unmotivated to go out with friends, and instead choosing to spend my time hibernating in my room watching Brooklyn 99 for the 15th time, somehow convincing myself that this is completely normal. Then, the 1st of March hits. A glimpse of sunlight and I’m running around complimenting strangers’ dogs. I promise you I am a completely different person, and I am appealing to you, I beg that I am not alone in this. Henceforth, for the past few weeks, I have made it my life’s work to source the reasoning behind why we feel so much better during Spring. Why do we become motivated to Spring clean? Why do we all become obsessed with New Beginnings? Why does being outside just hit differently? Well just sit tight and keep reading. I would LOVE to tell you.

One of the main reasons why spring gives you that extra bit of energy is because, in comparison to the dark, dull days of winter, the days become longer, so quickly! Especially in the esteemed East Midlands, during the depths of winter, the sun would start setting at around 3.30 and it would be pitch black by 4 pm – and as someone with a lecture in a dark, windowless room from 3-4 pm, it was outrageously bleak having to repeatedly walk home in what seemed like the dead of night. When we measure the approximate hours of darkness in the UK each month – according to The Guardian, December is by far the dimmest, darkest month of the year, with the UK having an average of only 41 hours a week of sunlight. As soon as spring hits and we reach March, the UK begins to average at a much higher (and nicer) 102 hours of sunshine per week – with April seeing yet another massive leap to 148 hours. Not only does the fact of staying lighter for longer sound great on paper, but increasing the amount of light per day, also helps us to feel a lot more active: it encourages us to walk more; we find waking up in the morning is easier; we might actually commit to our “morning jogs’’ when it’s not in the pitch black. This increase in physical activity also plays such an instrumental role in improving our mental health. I love David Ross Sports Village more than anyone… but it’s so much more likely that I’ll actually have the motivation to leave my house when the sun’s out… just saying…

When we compare the higher amounts of vitamin D to the longer amount of light, and increased activity, the occurrence of spring is basically like an update for our bodies’ serotonin factories

As humans, whether we know it or not, massive parts of our lives are dictated by the amount of light we get in our system. I’m sure we’ve all heard of the amazing effects of Vitamin D, and how it is basically the secret to happiness, but there are so many nuances about this super-vitamin. According to Ann Webb, professor of atmospheric radiation at Manchester University “As a very rough guide, if the UV index is less than two, then you will not make any appreciable amounts of vitamin D in a practical time period”, and the closer to summer, the higher the UV index becomes and, henceforth, we can begin making more vitamin D in a much shorter time frame. Moreover, as the temperature gets hotter, we shed our winter coats in exchange for vests and shorts, meaning more skin is exposed, which just helps vitamin D production even more! And when we compare the higher amounts of vitamin D to the longer amount of light, and increased activity, the occurrence of spring is basically like an update for our bodies’ serotonin factories. I know that I probably sound like your grandma telling you to get outside and touch grass, but honestly, your vitamin D levels are no joke. Vitamin D is a great boost to your immune system (which will help you ward off that freshers/refreshers flu), and all of its

The trees aren’t bare, we get to see more wildlife, and everything just becomes so much more colourful and fruitful

I know I’ve been chatting a lot, but the final reason why the spring light helps us feel more energised? Light is actually just so beautiful. Have you ever heard of photosynthesis? Yeah. That’s light! Take a walk around Portland in the spring and it’s just blossom after blossom, with the light being a fundamental component to creating the beautiful aspects of nature that we know and love. The trees aren’t bare, we get to see more wildlife, and everything just becomes so much more colourful and fruitful – and whilst my loyalty does and will always lie with the crunchy leaves and cosy feel of autumn, by the time we reach the spring, I’m always looking forward to the breath of life that everything around us takes. One of my favourite things to do when walking to and from lectures is just to whack on a good playlist and just take in my surroundings – because when we step away from how busy our lives as students are, we realise that our campus has some really beautiful places!

So yeah, if you’ve scanned towards the end of the article, spring just rules. It’s lighter, more colourful, and it’s warmer. Apart from the fact that there are no Christmas movies, it trumps winter in every single way. As our environments around us burst with colour and life, spring for many people is associated with rebirth – it’s the only time on the calendar when everything in nature unanimously decides to restart the cycle, and I think we deserve that too. I know that a lot of people are obsessed with the idea of “New Year’s Resolutions” and “New Year, New Me”, but honestly, the deep, dark, depressing winter is not the time to make all these promises to yourself. And so, if you’re anything like me, normally spending your spring guzzling antihistamines by the gallon, standing in solidarity with our fellow hay fever sufferers, may this article be a reminder that science is on your side. Harness the power of light, use the colours of nature, capture every second of the day and use this Spring Fever to focus on your wellbeing and establish these new healthy habits to improve yourself. You’ve got this.