Thursday, March 27, 2008

spring fever

I think I'm coming down with something. The last couple of days have been spring-like warm here in the Denver area. So I think I have what is commonly called, 'spring fever.' And I found out today that it's a real condition.

I heard a story on the news stating that this fever is both a mental and physical condition. That our body's chemistry changes with the seasons and for spring, it happens two to three weeks after we change our clocks. The symptoms are more energy, a better mood, and an overwhelming desire to kick back and play hooky for real life.

Longer days and more sunshine trigger the release of chemicals in the brain that not only give us a mental pick me up, but also cause a number of positive physical changes:

-> Cholesterol levels in the body are almost always lower in the spring than they are in the winter, even when diet or exercise habits haven't been changed.

-> Bones get thicker and the body gets thinner. There's a big shift in body composition come spring. People lose a little body fat, gain a little muscle and bones thicken up. That may help explain why there are fewer hip fractures in older people during the spring than during the winter.

-> People need less sleep. Not only do people require less sleep in the spring, but they have more energy despite sleeping less.

and here's something to get excited about...

-> With the exception of ice cream, most people will also find that they crave fewer carbohydrates and fats in the spring as compared to the winter. That, along with a natural speed-up in metabolism, makes losing weight a little easier in the spring. [yippee!]

Being sick with spring fever is something I don't mind... at all.

**source: Dr. Dave Hnida, Denver CBS4

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link of the day:
http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/specialfeature/aprilfools-pranks-ms/?CMP=ILC-1BV471923792

11 comments:

Just Mom said...

You seem to be getting playful, too if you're posting a link to April Fools' pranks. LOL.

Unknown said...

Wow! That's wonderful research! I've been out planting flowers this week and I love it!

Jamey said...

I knew I liked spring for a reason!!! Very interesting facts! It snowed here again last night. We only got an inch or so but the middle of the state got up to 15 inches, can you believe it?? CRAZY!!! After this weekend we are supposed to be consistently close to or into the 50's, finally!

Heidi Jo Comes said...

yeah, i'm thinking the whole bit about spring being a easier time for weight loss might be an april's fool trick.

i just start panicking as i look at lily white legs that do not want to see themselves into shorts!

Melissa said...

Hurrah for spring!! :) Although, it's felt like spring for a long time here... why hasn't the weight been coming off? :)

Unknown said...

So many of your points make sense, totally loved this post. I just can't wait for spring any longer! I thought we were close until I saw cars coming down the hill with snow on their roofs. *sigh*

Barb said...

I love Spring Fever. Great blog, especially the last item on losing weight.

nancy said...

Diana, I knew I loved Spring, but who knew it was THAT good! Now, if it ever stops raining long enough for us to go outside...
Thanks for your comment on today's post. Yes, going through something would be correct. Heart-wrenching, agonizing would be more accurate. I thought if I journalled a little bit of what God is doing in me, it might be a help to someone else. And for myself, it always helps me to express it in some way.
Thanks for your obvious concern.
Love,
Nancy

Susan said...

I've been too busy and in a whirl wind but I hope I will catch it soon!!!
Susan

Mary@notbefore7 said...

Bring on the ice cream carbs for me ;)

sharon brobst said...

I was just thinking today that I could stand to lose a few pounds! Come on spring fever!!!