Spring Fever: Why You Feel Different With The Change In Season

All of a sudden, we're delighting in lingering sunshine, warm breezes and bare legs. If where you live is anything like New York City this week, then you might find yourself battling a bout of spring fever. Perhaps you're easily distracted and less productive than usual, daydreaming of an alfresco dinner or cocktail. Or maybe you're feeling particularly smitten or more energized than usual.

But are these slight changes in our moods and behaviors all in our heads or rooted in science? Researchers have studied the link between weather and mood for years, but really only scratched the surface of what's truly going on.

Click through the slideshow below to find out what's behind your spring fever symptoms. Then tell us in the comments how the change in the weather is making you feel.

For more on personal health, click here.

From our partners

• 39 Deliciously Unexpected Healthy Avocado Recipes - Greatist
• 8 Great Running Apps To Help You Train For Your Next Race - Shape Magazine
• 6 Reasons To Sleep At Least 7 Hours - Everyday Health

Comments

[ThreeCatNight]

03:50 PM on 03/23/2012

I've always loved the spring and autumn (which is my favorite season), but I do admit to getting a little melancholic in the springtime; don't know why. Maybe it's the passage of season into season, and time itself. Amazing how many 'memory triggers' there are for me, like daffodils, pussywillows, and the beautiful little green buds. They can bring things flooding back from my childhood. By May, I'm pretty well acclimated, and welcome wearing lighter, brighter clothing, and bringing flowers into my home for added color and cheer.

[360Dunk]

11:27 AM on 03/23/2012

The days are getting longer while the skirts are getting shorter.....that's cause for celebration, not depression.

[Kimberly Owsley]

08:48 PM on 03/23/2012

Know what I'm celebrating, 360Dude? My 49th fan! 8D I'm celebrating by listening to '49 by The Silent Comedy, which is an awesome song and band! Go listen to that one, and 'Bartholomew', if you haven't already! *ZOOMS away from random comment raid*

[360Dunk]

10:18 AM on 03/24/2012

And here I thought all along that Silent Comedy was a mime improv....

[kitkatmom1]

10:34 AM on 03/23/2012

Instead of feeling depressed think about all the new life coming alive, new flowers, new trees, new wild baby animals. People should go out and enjoy seeing all the new life and not sitting around and moping about it. Life's too short to be depressed, go out and do something fun. There's always something free and interesting to do, just go out and do it.

[may12553]

08:02 AM on 03/23/2012

I too get depressed in the Spring, and any seasonal change for that matter. I was very depressed last week with this nice weather. Each change of season always reminds me of days gone by and all the people in my life that I've lost. Especially my father. It's very depressing. As we get into each season more.....I get used to the change and I eventually adjust.

[mcc1cam]

08:21 PM on 03/22/2012

I live in Philly, I hate this weather, and it makes me want to hit something! I should have my heat and not my A/C on! I feel like I'm walking through mud, and my allergies are out of control! I'm going now to get a bag of frozen peas to put over my sinuses...Spring/Summer - you can have it!

[chuckl4826]

05:29 PM on 03/22/2012

SPRING; Thats the time of the year when the iron in your blood turns to lead in your pencil..! :>)

[psandysdad]

04:44 PM on 03/22/2012

Rutting season.

[Canefighter]

04:41 PM on 03/22/2012

Having had RA since I was 19, am 62 right now I can definitely feel weather changes and seasonal changes especially Fall and Spring. Some studies say yes this happens and others say no. All I can say is my weather predictions are more accurate then our three local weather forecasts.

[Barbara Herron]

03:54 PM on 03/22/2012

Right now I'm still battling the effects of the time change -- getting used to waking up and getting going in the dark again. Which affects my sleep cycle/quality. Which brings on fatigue, brain fog and aches and pains. I have to get through that before I can really enjoy Spring.

[tenaclark]

12:18 PM on 03/22/2012

When the temperature hits 80 or higher this time of year, it does not make me a happy person. I prefer cold/cooler weather. I live in Texas, so it's not particularly pleasant when temps rise.

[leephoenixriser]

12:06 PM on 03/22/2012

the increase of warmer weather= more human evil.

[ejbt]

11:24 AM on 03/22/2012

if this is the happiest time of the year i'm in trouble.

[Sally Barry]

10:36 AM on 03/22/2012

Spring, April in particular, has the highest suicide rate out of the whole year. Look it up.

If you're a bird, a gardener, a frolicking lamb, or have been living underground for 6 months, I suppose you might enjoy the spring.

[Andy Schneider]

10:34 AM on 03/22/2012

And I thought it was just my allergies!

[rkeeeballs]

09:45 AM on 03/22/2012

More sunshine always does the trick for me !