I Do Not Like Mondays

The snow and ice are (near) memory; the sun is warming. The days are lengthening. The air is soft. The birds are active. Motorcycles are rumbling. Kids are out playing, with coats and jackets off. Trees and shrubs are beginning to bud. It all can mean only one thing…

Spring is almost here. ☺

If you are in the Northern Hemisphere, the vernal or spring equinox, which is the astronomical start of the spring season, is Tuesday, March 19, at 11:06 p.m. Eastern Time. So the countdown has begun — just a few days left to go!

(As you gradually get older, one thing you realize is that you only get so many springtimes in your life. This changing of the seasons is something to be savored and enjoyed.)

Of course, it can still snow and get cold, and winter could rear its head again. And winter can certainly be a lot of fun! But here in western Connecticut where I’m writing from, we’ve had several subsequent days of about 62-65 degrees F/ roughly 17-18 degrees Celsius, and it’s certainly feeling very springlike. It feels good.

:: As if your own intuition weren’t enough, it turns out there’s solid evidence that spring springing upon us is actually good for you in a number of ways. Saline County, Nebraska lists 10 scientific reasons why spring is “the most delightful” season of the year.

1. Temperatures are more moderate.

“Spring marks the end of blistering winter and the transitional period to scorching summer,” the county’s Aging Services department notes. So spring brings an end to the cold and comes before temperatures often get very hot in summer, and it’s a little Goldilocks moment — juuuust right. This allows you to go lighter on the clothing and layers needed, so you’ll naturally feel more comfortable.

2. There’s more daylight.

Days are lengthening, meaning there’s more nourishing daylight to help boost your health, mind and mood. And it’s substantially more, at that. Compared with Dec. 21 — the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere — there were close to three hours more of daylight where I’m located as of Thursday, March 14, according to www.suncalc.org.  

Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023
Dawn: 6:44 a.m.
Sunrise: 7:15 a.m.
Sunset: 4:27 p.m.
Dusk: 4:58 p.m.
[9 hours and 12 minutes of daylight]

Thursday, March 14, 2024
Dawn: 6:38 a.m.
Sunrise: 7:05 a.m.
Sunset: 7:00 p.m.
Dusk: 7:27 p.m.
[11 hours and 55 minutes of daylight]

What a difference 12 weeks can make! And through the beginning of summer in June, each day brings a few more minutes of light.

3. The birds are back.

Birds that migrated south for the winter are returning back up north again as the climate warms. Saline County cites a UK study from 2017 that found that people’s mental health increases when they see more birds around in their neighborhoods.

“After conducting extensive surveys of the number of birds in the morning and afternoon in Milton Keynes, Bedford and Luton, [England,] the study found that lower levels of depression, anxiety and stress were associated with the number of birds people could see in the afternoon,” ScienceDaily states concerning that study.

4. There are lots of little baby animals.

Look around, and you just might see baby rabbits, ducklings and other birds, chipmunks and more. And once again, studies have shown that seeing cute animals can have positive effects on humans, the county notes, including improving ability to focus on tasks.

How about that — it’s not just a surface thing, cute little ones can actually help your brain!  

5. You’re safer.

Really? Yes. If you’re in an area that utilizes Daylight Saving Time, “springing forward” actually means less crime. Saline County references a 2015 study published in the Review of Economics and Statistics that found crime rates dropped as there was more light outside — perhaps the cover of night simply lends itself to criminals preying on victims.

Meanwhile, there’s also no more snow and ice, so you can’t slip and fall on those things. And that makes you safer as well!  

6. You can go outside more.

Warmer temperatures make it possible to go outside more — and for longer periods of time — which, once again, boosts mental health. “Research has found that taking walks in nature slows your heart rate and makes you more relaxed, but some research indicates that there is something special about spring’s effect on your brain,” the county says.

According to UC Davis Health, “being in nature has a positive effect on our bodies by reducing cortisol levels, muscle tension, and demands on our cardiovascular systems (lowers heart rate and blood pressure).” Cortisol is a hormone released into your bloodstream when you are stressed, and having too much of it in your system is thought to be damaging to the body in a variety of ways — including contributing to high blood pressure, bone loss and even type 2 diabetes.

7. You’re more creative.

A study by the University of Michigan in the mid-2000s found that sunnier spring weather actually changes the way people think. The researchers found that with the change to springtime, “being outdoors broadened participants’ minds, leaving them more open to new information and creative thoughts,” according to Saline County.

Being outdoors for extended amounts of time in the spring “can be especially beneficial, with pleasant weather improving mood, memory and broadening cognitive style (openness to new information and creative thoughts) as time spent outside increased,” U of M researchers stated upon release of the study the county mentions. 

8. The leaves come back.

The return of leaves on trees and bushes equals more shade, so you can be outside more comfortably as the weather warms up. And again, more outdoor time translates to a happier, healthier you in a variety of ways. Get outside and soak it up — or read a book, draw, play music or whatever in the shade.

9. More plants means less carbon dioxide.

Spring brings trees and vegetation back to life/ out of dormancy, and more plants photosynthesizing soaks up carbon dioxide and releases the oxygen you need into the atmosphere. Although colder air is denser and thereby contains more oxygen than warmer air, there is overall more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere during the colder months of winter.

Generally getting more oxygen will fuel and boost your brain and capacity for physical activity. Now it’s up to you to use it!   

10. There’s an abundance of fresh produce.

“Many vegetables and some fruits are harvested in the spring. ‘Tis the season to get your local asparagus, greens, peas, rhubarb, and other fresh produce,” Saline County writes. The county takes that a step further: “Getting more fruits and vegetables into your diet isn’t just good for the body; it’s good for the soul,” it states.

:: So as new life grows around you in springtime, remember that you yourself also are springing more to life, creativity, activity, better mood, and more. It’s up to you to make the most of it!

Help me support my family by making a donation to this website. Thanks very much! ~Aaron