Signs of spring have begun to show in Ann Arbor, and an outbreak of Spring Fever at Community High School is evident. The long, cold winter is finally coming to an end, and nostalgia for a warmer time is hitting hard. Every time an uncharacteristically sunny day occurs, students have a definite pep in their step, girls break out the sundresses and an overly optimistic few even brave the outdoors and eat lunch on CHS’s back lawn.
Although spring technically began March 20, even mid-April has rarely brought temperatures above 50 degrees. At this fickle time of year, the people feeling the changes in the weather most are those affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD, or seasonal depression), like CHS sophomore Sarah Allen.* “It gets worse towards the end of winter, because you can anticipate the spring and it’s just not there yet. It’s really hard to not see the sun for such a long time,” said Allen.
The American Psychiatric Association describes SAD as a mood disorder that brings episodes of depression associated with seasonal variations of light. It is most common in people already diagnosed with major depressive or bipolar disorders, like Allen.
“This fluctuating weather can be frustrating, to say the least, since seasonal depression causes my mood to be heavily affected by the weather,” Allen said. The change in seasons affects her both physically and mentally. “The sun is really important to your health because it gives you energy and vitamins that you need, so it’s a chemical thing, but it’s also a mental thing because in the summer when it’s warm outside you don’t have to stress about school and stress about sports, it’s a really relaxed time.”
When the sun finally does come out, there are incredible effects on people’s moods whether or not they are affected by SAD. “When a lot of the things you do are outdoors, it’s really restraining to be indoor all the time, due to the weather and the cold,” said Allen. She has big plans for camping, biking and just enjoying the warmth once temperatures go up and stay up.
Other CHS students have highly anticipated warm-weather plans, as well, like junior Matt Fisher*. “There are so many [more fun] things to do when it’s warm out… Last spring [my friends and I] spent a ton of time outside playing pick-up games, bridge-jumping; it’s just a better time,” Fisher said. Sophomore Emma Sowder said, “I’m looking forward to the chance to play soccer outside again…The fact that we are able to be outside a lot just puts everyone in a better mood.”
The newly found energy brought on in the spring can also be partially explained by a chemical process. Melatonin, an important chemical in sleep, is produced less with increased sunshine. There are also higher levels of seratonin in the brain in spring and summer (a chemical used in depression treatment). Sowder seems to sum up many students’ feelings about this season when she exclaims, “Everything is just more pleasant in the spring!”
*Name has been changed.
