The Benefits of Springtime

As religious communities celebrate Easter and Passover this week, we're reminded of the general celebration of springtime in cultures around the world and over the centuries. Spring symbolizes regeneration, renewed life and beginnings, and even hope for the future. From a psychological perspective people appear to be intuitively aware of how this symbolism translates into more pleasant encounters with the people you meet on a sunny spring day. Over the years, researchers have had difficulty providing evidence of the positive psychological effects of spring. However, new research published in the journal Psychological Science indicates that the psychological benefits of spring are real. Researchers have found that increased time outdoors, associated with springtime, accounts for a higher mood, better memory, and a "broadened" cognitive style (i.e., receiving, processing, and responding to external input). Time outdoors is increased in springtime. This is in contrast with other seasons, including summer, where the oppressive heat can at times drive people indoors thereby creating the opposite effect. Do you feel better in springtime or is it a reminder of how things have not changed in the way you would have liked? Leave us your comments.

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