Positivity 101: Spring Equinox and Its Effect on Our Well-being

Tracey Briggs, MA, AFAA-CPT, NASM- CES, FNS 

Supervisor

Employee Wellness Team

The equinox. It is the finish line to the marathon we call winter. The shorter days, colder temperatures, and hibernation mindset come to an end, or do they?

Many of us cheer on spring for weeks as we watch for signs. So how do the seasonal changes affect your health, and what can you do to break free of winter’s grip?

Spring has two official start dates, depending on your priorities. The daylight savings time start to spring is on March 13. But if you plot the seasons in line with our planetary activity, as humans have done for thousands of years, the “astronomical” seasons show spring starting at the vernal equinox, which falls on March 20.

The equinoxes (spring and autumn) lie halfway between the shortest and longest days of the year. These conditions of equal light vs. dark time may well best suit the human circadian rhythm, the cycle that tells the body when to sleep, wake, eat and carry out various other biological processes.

One aspect of circadian rhythms that most folks are unfamiliar with is that our body will operates on a 24-hour cycle, even if we are in seclusion. This is because we have an internal biological clock that can tell the time. This inner clock runs slightly longer than our 24-hour wall clock. The light in our environment adjusts the internal clock to the correct environmental time.

This adjustment is called entrainment, and it keeps our cycles from wandering. If we’re well entrained, we’re more likely to sleep solidly at night and feel good when the sun rises.

Research has shown that it is a very balanced, neutral middle ground and shifts with lightness and darkness. Longer nights or longer days can influence the circadian system.

So, with the advent of spring, here are some tips to help you greet the season and encourage a balanced rythm:

1. Go Outside Often. Practice “social distancing” and take a walk where there is an abundance of trees and nature. Exercise outside whenever possible and observe the new life springing up all around you. Get fresh oxygen and vitamin D to help boost your immunity, improve your mood, and increase your feelings of joy. Going outdoors can help to revitalize your spirit and help you stay positive, especially if you’re feeling anxious, cooped up, or restless.  
2. Create Space. Springtime is tidy-up time!  You may not rival Marie Kondo’s method of getting things organized, but going through your belongings and tossing unwanted or old items can make you feel calmer and boost productivity. There’s no better time to spring clean your home. When your home is organized, de-cluttered, and tidy, it can make your living space much more pleasurable. You may find Inspirations & Celebrations full of ideas and tips.
3. Plant Seeds: Literally and figuratively, seeds can be planted in spring for a timely harvest. Spring is a powerful time to get clear on your goals. The energy of spring is creation and blossoming. When you channel that energy into your own life, you can work with the rhythm of nature and infuse your intentions with the thriving of spring.

 Have a wellness question or want to discuss your well-being goals? Submit your question through our Ask a Health Educator resource or request to meet with a Health Education Consultant. Benefits & Employee Wellness is here for you!