Spring Into Happiness

Mental health therapist Toni Sorenson writes "Spring is far more than just a changing of seasons; it's a rebirth of the spirit." You’ve probably experienced this mental shift yourself. You gain an hour of sunlight and tuck away your winter coat. Spring is a wonderful time to harness motivation and implement positive habits into all areas of your life.

Get the sunshine vitamin while you photosynthesize. While our bodies don’t literally undergo the process of photosynthesis like plants, humans still greatly benefit from basking in the sun. The rays of the sun chemically convert cholesterol in your skin into vitamin D. Vitamin D affects a host of functions including regulating your immune system, boosting your energy, mood, and maintaining mental clarity.

Turn around seasonal affective disorder. Sunshine exposure helps regulate hypothalamus function and production of serotonin, both of which affect your mood. The hypothalamus controls many emotion and mood signals in your body and sunlight is needed to prevent malfunction in regulation. Additionally, the production of serotonin, or the "feel-good" neurotransmitter, increases in sunlight, boosting your mood.

Tap into your circadian rhythm. Sunlight first thing in the morning and within your first hour of waking plays a huge role in your circadian rhythm through the regulation of cortisol and melatonin. Cortisol production boosted by the morning sun signals to your body that it’s time to be alert and active. Inversely, melatonin is suppressed in sunlight, setting it on a schedule to naturally increase throughout the evening as you wind down for sleep. Morning sunlight regulates the interplay between cortisol and melatonin, leading to a balanced and healthy sleep-wake cycle.

Brighten up your workspace with a desk-scape: Wonderful as it would be to stay outdoors all day, you most likely have a job that requires long stretches indoors. This doesn’t mean you can’t bring the benefits of spring inside to you. Try desk-scaping and bring in some plants. It’s an easy way to bring in the essence of spring, even in a cubicle. A green thumb isn’t necessary. Get a few succulents, or even a silk plant to brighten your space. UC Berkeley researchers have shown that offices with plants are associated with fewer health complaints and increased job satisfaction.

Compound the benefits of morning sunlight by regulating blue light exposure. Melatonin production should slowly ramp up during your day so you can successfully fall asleep at night, but the blue light from your electronics disrupts that natural cycle by keeping melatonin suppressed. Decrease blue light interference from your computer, phone, and tablet by using a light filter. Depending on your device it may be listed under “Night Light” or “Night Shift.” Turn up the filter as high as it feels comfortable to you and enjoy productive work and peaceful sleep.

Water your interpersonal relationships. Lingering post-holiday blues and spring snow can lead to feelings of isolation at the tail end of winter. The arrival of spring is the perfect time to find rejuvenation in companionship. Social relationships are a key factor for not just longer lifespans, but for overall physical and mental wellbeing. Find community in writing a letter to a long-distance friend, host a dinner, join a colleague for coffee, call your parents, or go for a walk with your partner. It makes a difference,

Winter can drone on, but the promise of warmer, brighter days is here. Catch some rays, add greenery to your space, and reconnect with loved ones. Look for ways in your everyday life to embrace the spirit of spring and allow wellbeing to blossom

Hannah Paulson    

Health Education Preceptee, ViaroThrive    

For questions or comments, contact wellness@viarohealth.com