“April is the cruellest month…” – T.S. Elliott
April is a stones throw away, yet the weather is already indicating the transition from winter to spring (minus the snow…) As the new petals are blossoming and the days are noticeably longer, the sun shines with a certain hope and prosperity that winter failed to do. No longer are we fretting about the heating bills and finding ourselves drawing the curtains at a meagre 5pm, but we’re daydreaming of our summer holidays, almost tasting the fruity cocktails we long for. Yet recent research has burst that bubble, as it’s been discovered that springtime is the season whereby depression is in abundance, mainly due to Daylight Saving Time.
Yep, we’re talking about that annual annoyance of putting your clocks forward and losing a much wanted hours sleep. Not only does it affect your sleeping pattern, but also it plays havoc to your mood, health and body clock, with research linking a direct pattern between heart attacks and DST. Ironically, the study found that most heart attacks related to this season occur on a Monday, paying tribute to the song ‘I don’t like Monday’s’…
Along with involuntarily heart failure, this enigma of a season also lends itself as the UK’s highest suicide period between the normally cheery months of April and May. Whilst many of us welcome the daffodils and brighter days feeling optimistic and exuberant, sufferers of depression might experience an opposing effect, leading to the Reverse Sad syndrome. Psychology experts claim it lies in the notion that winter is an escape and acts like a blanket they can hide underneath, yet springtime is lighter, warmer and more exposing. Seeing everyone else being carried into the natural energy of the season can be a frustrating time if you do not feel the vibrancy that other people are feeling. Whilst the nature of spring does induce energy levels, this newfound energy you have is used to fulfil ruminations, and speaking from experience I have to agree. If one suffers from any mental health disorders, like I do, my energy is exerted on my depressive ponderings, hence why, on reflection, my disorder tends to relapse at the start of this season.
I also have noticed a certain pressure I feel I need to adhere to; to be constantly happy and to spend every sunny moment outdoors. I still yearn for the dark nights where I could get into my pyjamas at 6pm and shut the world away but I’m greeted by longer and lighter evenings whereby inclinations to suddenly socialise arise. Although I love to socialise, winter routines of getting cosy with a film and watching cheap television became my staple evenings, making it hard to conform to springtime antics. It seems that with the sun shining, our mood is expected to change to suit the colourful and warming season, but after being cooped up indoors throughout winter, the ‘crappy’ feelings are harder to shift, leading to negative thoughts regarding your overall happiness. However, I can deal with the sun’s transition across our skies, and the loss of an hour’s asleep, it’s the more ‘girly’ side to things that I appear to struggle with. And no, I’m not talking about that…
As materialistic as it sounds, I have to admit that clothes in this season are my biggest worry. I get comfortable and used to the same wintery outfits, my snug cardigans and sturdy boots. Yet when the months of March, April and May come round, I’m confused and baffled as to what I should wear; ‘Are sandals appropriate yet? Or would I look like a fancy dresser at a funeral?’ All my summer clothes are designed to be worn without more layers, yet spring still has a profound chill in the air, leading me to wear mismatching cardigan and vest top combo’s even my nan would be suspicious of. Although I may be coming off as a pretentious ‘fashionista’, our clothes are essentially expression of self, so walking out in something you’re not entirely comfortable in can indeed knock a few blows to your self confidence.
But wait! These clever scientists have found ways to combat any health or mood changes you might endure this spring, ensuring you’re on the righteous path to wellbeing. Although we want to up our dosage of extra vitamin C, studies show that combating these bodily alterations in spring stem from keeping energy levels down and relaxing the mind and body. After a scour on the trusty web, here are some useful tips to put that spring back in your step.
– Gradually expose yourself to the sunshine and gradually partake in outdoor activities.
– Allow for a health diet, packed with fruit and vegetables, to restore to nutrition lost in the winter months.
– When you have your morning shower, use hot and cold water in turns to stimulate the body’s circulation.
– Reduce or eliminate caffeine intake.
– Increase hours spent in sunlight
– Stay involved with your social circle as much as you can.
The Skinny Fat Girl 