It’s officially Spring from today, which will be music to the ears of millions across the country who struggled through the cold, dark winter months.
This Yahoo Lifestyle reporter is based in Melbourne, and while the cold months this year haven’t been horrific, it’s amazing to know the best part of the year is upon us.
I finally won’t have to wear three layers and a ski jacket to venture outside (or even stay warm inside without a heater).
The days of wearing three layers and a ski jacket to venture outside are slowly coming to an end.
(Yahoo Lifestyle/Getty)
Those morning and late afternoon dog walks, which have been conducted in almost total darkness recently, will be immeasurably better.
Melbourne has already had some stunning days over the past few weeks, and even the local dog park has started filling with people sitting in the lunchtime sun.
You can almost feel a collective sigh of relief coming over the city.
And it turns out there could be more to that feeling than simply being happy winter is over.
Do you have a story? Email stew.perrie@yahoooinc.com
Why the end of winter can make us feel so much better
For people affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), the arrival of longer, warmer days can bring a genuine shift in mood, energy and motivation.
And while Australia’s winters might seem relatively mild compared to other parts of the world, clinical psychologist Dr Vivienne Lewis told Yahoo Lifestyle that doesn’t mean we’re immune to their effects.
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“We sometimes underestimate SAD in Australia because we think our winters aren’t severe enough. But it isn’t just about the cold,” she said.
“The reduction in daylight is important. Light plays a role in regulating our body clock, sleep, energy and mood.”
Where you live can also make a difference.
Longer, warmer days can make it easier to get outside, exercise and socialise — all things that can help improve our mental health.
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Australian research has found SAD rates tend to be higher further south, with Hobart recording the highest prevalence at 9 per cent in one study.
Reduced daylight is thought to be a major factor, with southern parts of the country experiencing noticeably shorter winter days.
Dr Lewis said SAD goes well beyond simply disliking winter.
“At the more severe end, people can feel genuinely depressed, exhausted and unmotivated,” she said.
“They might sleep more, withdraw from other people, struggle to concentrate and lose interest in things they would normally enjoy.”
Clinical psychologist Dr Vivienne Lewis said SAD can develop into something very serious.
(LinkedIn)
It’s not just temperatures and daylight that influence SAD.
Dr Lewis said people often exercise or socialise less in colder, winter weather, which can affect overall mental health.
Feeling better might take longer than you think
Just because it’s now Spring, you might not wake up and immediately feel better.
Dr Lewis said a sustained bout of better weather and longer days can take a little longer to improve people’s mental health than others.
“Our brains don’t suddenly realise winter is over and switch our mood back on,” Dr Lewis said.
“Usually, it’s a gradual process.
It will be nice to take the dog on his morning and evening stroll in sunshine and not in total darkness.
(Yahoo Lifestyle)
“You might notice you’re finding it easier to get out of bed, you have a little more energy, you want to see people again, or you start looking forward to things.
“The other thing is that longer and warmer days make it easier for us to do things that are good for our mental health.
“We’re more likely to get outside, exercise, see people and be active. Spring gives us better conditions for feeling better, but we still need to make use of them.”
Don’t wait for the weather to fix your mood
Dr Lewis said that while SAD can improve as we get further away from winter, there are still ways to take control of your mental health.
She said to “start with the basics” if your overall mood doesn’t shift over the coming weeks:
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Get outside and get some natural daylight, particularly earlier in the day
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Try to maintain regular sleep and waking times
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Deliberately put enjoyable activities back into your week
“I often tell people to look at what disappeared from their lives over winter,” Dr Lewis said.
“Did you stop going for walks after work? Stop seeing friends? Stop exercising? Start spending every evening on the couch because it was cold and dark?
“Start by putting back some of the things that winter took away. And importantly, don’t wait to feel motivated.
“One of the traps of low mood is thinking, ‘I’ll do it when I feel better’. Often, it’s the other way around, we start doing things, and that helps us feel better.”
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