Here comes the SUN
Here Comes the Sun: 3 Joyful Ways to Spring Forward
By Erin Monahan
Finally! We’ve entered that seasonal sweet spot when the last hurrah of winter meets the first whisper of spring.
If you live in Indiana, you know the slow drumbeat toward spring starts on the second Sunday in March when we move our clocks ahead one hour to observe Daylight Saving Time.
Sure, we lost an hour of sleep. But let there be light! In fact, this is the time of year when the number of daylight hours increases the fastest.
Sunlight & Serotonin
Did you know sunlight and darkness trigger the release of hormones in your brain throughout the year? Exposure to sunlight can increase the brain’s release of serotonin, a mighty mood booster. At night, darker lighting triggers the brain to make another hormone called melatonin, aka “the sleep hormone.”
Winter tends to make us sleepy and sluggish, because fewer hours of daylight trigger the release of melatonin in our brains. (No wonder we’d rather huddle on the couch and binge Netflix.)
During that darker time, our levels of serotonin dip. Low levels of serotonin are associated with a higher risk of Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD, a type of depression that’s triggered by the changing seasons.
Thankfully, spring changes everything! It brings us extra hours of sunlight and rising temperatures, which can increase our bodies’ levels of serotonin and other “happy hormones.” Most people start to feel more energetic and optimistic. They’re also more inclined to get outside, which exposes them to other health benefits, including vitamin D production in the body and protection from certain diseases.
Our minds, bodies and spirits are also lifted by other signs of spring. Suddenly, buds and blossoms appear on tree branches and green shoots burst through the soil. Hibernating animals wake up. And birds sing. If you pay attention, you’ll be amazed.
Spring literally gives us a reason to get our hopes up! In this article, we’ll consider three ways you can improve your life by tuning into this time of year.
Rite of Renewal
It’s likely that George Harrison’s levels of serotonin were up the day he wrote The Beatles’ song, “Here Comes the Sun.”
In the documentary “George Harrison: Living in the Material World,” legendary guitarist Eric Clapton recalled one sunny spring morning in April when he and George were walking around Clapton’s garden with their guitars. “We sat down at the bottom of the garden, looking out, and the sun was shining,” said Clapton. “It was a beautiful morning, and he (George) started to sing ‘here comes the sun,’ the opening lines, you know. And I just watched this thing come to life.”
Could nature’s annual rite of renewal be your springboard to health and happiness? It’s possible. But there’s no payoff if you’re passive. Your participation is required.
1. Rewild your senses.
Of course, we don’t need a calendar to tell us what season it is. The signs of spring are everywhere! But how often do you pay attention to the wild world around you?
In our hyper-connected culture, it’s easy to miss precious off-screen moments. Many of us spend more time engaging with technology and screens than we do with the real life around us. If that’s you, then please consider this your challenge to rewild your senses.
How?
Get outside. Remember when you were a kid and you’d go outside to play? If you were fortunate to have neighborhood friends, they’d come over to get you and you’d be outside for hours.
Why did we ever stop doing that?
Kids these days don’t play outside as often. And grownups don’t play outside much, either. But the wild world beyond our doorsteps is still there! Every season has its own way of engaging us.
In spring, you can watch a worm wiggle. Feel the grass between your toes. Smell the flowers. Listen to bees buzzing. Taste a raindrop. And so much more.
When you stop taking nature for granted, you’ll awaken senses that you didn’t even realize were dormant.
According to Michelle Kondo, research social scientist with the USDA Forest Service's Northern Research Station, “There are many physical and psychological benefits of nature that scientists have observed, which can better help us understand how nature supports wellness in the body, mind and community."
“Wellness is wholistic in that it is comprised of physical and mental health as well as the health of our communities,” said Kondo. “All of these benefits add up and reduce adverse impacts on our bodies, and have restorative characteristics. So get outdoors and enjoy nature’s gift of wellness.”
2. Connect with your community.
After huddling inside during winter, it’s time to get out among other people. We humans are wired for community. Whether you consider yourself an introvert, extrovert or ambivert, we all need each other. And springtime is your green light to go! Get out there!
Festivals and farmers markets dominate the calendar. Picnics in the park are possible again. Where will you start?
Speaking of farmers markets, there are almost 200 of them in Indiana. What a wonderful way to shop local and meet the farmers and producers who offer fresh produce, meats, coffee and tea, maple syrup, honey, artisan breads, breakfast and brunch items, and so much more.
Click here to find an Indiana farmers market near you.
3. Give yourself a do-over.
Are you feeling guilty over failed or forgotten New Year’s resolutions? If so, you’re not alone. It’s common to lose momentum.
So, what should you do?
Start over. And set smaller goals. Also, be clear about why you set a particular goal. Knowing why you want it will help you stir up the energy and determination to keep at it.
Many people set big goals in January and brag about them to impress others. If they fail to set realistic, time-bound goals, they may get discouraged and give up. A newbie runner, for example, may set a big goal to “run the Boston Marathon.” But it’s the small goals of “get off the couch” and “put on running shoes” and “follow a beginner marathon training plan” that will ultimately get him there.
Small goals are easier to achieve on a regular basis. Why? Because we can set them more often, adjust them and build off of them. We can also see ourselves getting better.
Next Steps
There are so many ways you can spring forward this time of year! If you’re not sure where to begin, then go for a walk. Or sit outside and watch the squirrels. Maybe strike up a conversation with a neighbor you don’t know. You’ll be surprised how these simple actions can open up your mind to new possibilities.
Do you, or someone you know, need help setting small goals? Are you curious to learn more about wholistic wellness? Then the providers at Wholistic Wellness Services are here for you. Contact them for an appointment.
Erin Monahan is a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach and Health Writer based in central Indiana. Find her at healthcoachcollective.com, LinkedIn and Instagram @ erinmariehealthcoach.
All photos by Erin Monahan. The information, ideas and conversations provided in this content are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, prescription, diagnosis, or treatment. Any application of the information, ideas and conversations provided is at your discretion and is your sole responsibility.
References
Scaccia, A. (2020, August 19). Serotonin: what you need to know. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/serotonin
Van De Walle, G., Raman, R., Seladi-Schulman, J. (2022, January 13). What does melatonin do, and how does it work? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/melatonin-and-sleep
National Institute of Mental Health. (2022, March 22). What is seasonal affective disorder? https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder
Raypole, C. (2019, September 30). How to hack your hormones for a better mood. https://www.healthline.com/health/happy-hormone
Dresden, D. (2020, November 3). What to know about the health benefits of sunlight. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/benefits-of-sunlight
Avitt, A. (2021, March 24). The wellness benefits of the great outdoors. Forest Service U.S. Department of Agriculture https://www.fs.usda.gov/features/wellness-benefits-great-outdoors
Scorsese, M. (Director). (2011). George Harrison: living in the material world [Film]. Spitfire Pictures.