Spring Fever: Unexpected ways Springtime can Affect our Mental Health
Spring is finally here! With warmer temperatures on the horizon, many of us are excited for what that means: more sun, less snow, longer days, and enjoyable weather. We might expect to feel refreshed and re-energized. Alongside these benefits, many are also looking forward to the end of their Seasonal Affective Disorder symptoms.
However, not everyone automatically feels better with the changing seasons: these changes can potentially bring added stress, pressure, and mental health challenges. The change in season, rather than refreshing us, may instead cause us to feel exhausted, unmotivated, and struggle with focusing. If this sounds familiar, you aren’t alone: seasonal depression is not exclusive to the winter months, but its spring presentation may look differently than what one might expect. Springtime effects on our mental health can bring irritability, increased agitation, and negative thinking patterns; spring weather can also affect those with certain diagnoses, such as Bipolar Disorder.
Challenges with the Change in Seasons
Both your physical and mental health can be affected by the changing seasons. You may feel physically tired, but you may also experience an increase in anxious energy, mood swings, and depressive symptoms.
The increase in our exposure to daylight we experience in spring affects our circadian rhythm, which is our body’s internal clock. Changes in our circadian rhythm can cause hormonal changes and emotional instability. Difficulty sleeping can bring low energy levels, making it more difficult to stay upbeat and motivated. This, in turn, can lead to feeling frustrated or guilty. Even your own expectations of springtime can affect you: expecting to feel happier in spring, but instead feeling drained, or potentially worse, can increase feelings of stress and impact self-confidence. Also, some may enjoy noticing their neighbourhood start to come alive as more people spend time outside; however, for others, this may bring about feelings of social anxiety, or we may become frustrated that we are not meeting our expectations for enjoying the weather to its fullest.
Additionally, those with Bipolar Disorder may notice an increase in manic or hypomanic episodes as a result of increased sunlight and changes in our circadian rhythm. It is important to remember that mania and hypomania do not always present as a happy, excitable mood; they may also present as a significant increase in agitation or irritable energy. If you or a loved one lives with Bipolar Disorder, this is something to keep in mind as warmer weather is approaching.
You may even experience new or increased thoughts of death or suicide. You may be surprised to hear that research in adults shows a pattern in the seasonality of suicide: there is a consistent peak in late spring.
What to Look Out For
Potential symptoms to look out for might include:
Difficulty sleeping
Feeling unusually agitated or irritable
Lacking energy
Increased anxiety
Loss of interest or motivation in things you would normally enjoy
Decrease in appetite/unintentional weight loss
Thoughts of suicide
Possible Explanations
There are several possible causes behind springtime’s effects on our mental health. These causes can be grouped under changes in sunlight, changes in weather, and changes in social patterns.
Changes in sunlight, as mentioned earlier, affect our circadian rhythm: this can have a significant effect on many different bodily functions and, in turn, our mental health. In terms of sleep, changes in sunlight can disrupt our sleep patterns: longer daylight hours may decrease our melatonin production, which is a hormone that helps us fall asleep and stay asleep. Increased exposure to the sun can also impact our serotonin levels, which is a chemical in our brain that influences our mood and energy. Importantly, those with mental health diagnoses (especially Bipolar Disorder) are particularly sensitive to changes in their sleep-wake cycles.
When weather changes drastically, much like the sudden back-and-forth weather we’ve seen lately, our body works harder to adjust to temperatures, which can cause temporary physical fatigue. Also, melting snow and blooming plants bring about the return of seasonal allergens; allergies have actually been linked with depression in many individuals. Seasonal allergies can also trigger symptoms like inflammation, brain fog, and congestion, leading to general feelings of sluggishness.
A new season might lead to changes in our diet or hydration patterns, both of which can affect our energy levels. The spring semester is also usually a stressful time for students dealing with final assignments and exams; academic demands can contribute to seasonal patterns of stress. Also, other transitions and life changes that usually happen in the spring (such as moving out of dorms, ending student leases, graduating, etc.) can increase our emotional strain during this time.
The combination of multiple different stressors, combined with the above effects of sunlight and weather changes, can significantly impact our mental health.
How to Cope with Springtime Symptoms
Sleep & Daily Routines
Maintain a consistent sleep schedule and bedtime routine
Limit screen time before bed to improve sleep quality
Get natural sunlight early in the day to regulate your internal circadian rhythm and boost energy
Physical Health & Energy
Stay physically active, through walking or stretching, to improve mood and reduce fatigue
Eat balanced, nutrient-rich meals
Stay hydrated throughout the day
Manage seasonal allergies; see a doctor if needed
Mental Health Awareness
Track mood changes daily (by keeping a journal, or even just notes on your phone)
Be aware of patterns that can help you identify early warning signs and triggers that impact your mental health
Reach out for help when needed, whether to a friend, loved one, or trusted professional
Stress & Recovery
Take breaks and avoid pushing through exhaustion
Engage in restful activities
Listen to your body and prioritize recovery when needed
Our bodies are resilient, but also very sensitive to change. If you are feeling the effects of the changing seasons, know that you aren’t alone, and there are options available to help you make the transition as smooth as possible.
References
Charlie Health. (n.d.). Why certain mental health disorders peak in the springtime. https://www.charliehealth.com/post/why-certain-mental-health-disorders-peak-in-the-springtime
Distress Centre. (2023). Spring self-care: Coping with spring depression. https://distresscentre.com/2023/03/28/spring-self-care-coping-with-spring-depression/
Georgetown Behavioral. (n.d.). Spring fatigue: Why the change in seasons can make you feel tired & unmotivated. https://www.georgetownbehavioral.com/blog/spring-fatigue
Psychology Today. (2024). Spring mania: A different kind of spring fever. https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/a-different-kind-of-therapy/202403/spring-mania-a-different-kind-of-spring-fever
To, S., Messias, E., Burch, L., & Chibnall, J. (2024). Seasonal variation in suicide: age group and summer effects in the United States (2015–2020). BMC Psychiatry, 24(1), 856.
