Why Spring Is a Season of Hope

With more daylight, more activity, and children’s excitement for summer, spring is the embodiment of hope each year. But spring 2020 has been unusual, with the beautiful weather contrasting strangely with the shelter-in-place orders. With everything that’s going on, is spring season still a time for hope? Now more than ever, the answer is yes!

Hope Is Sweetest in a Storm

A memorable poem by Emily Dickinson compares hope to a bird:

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –

That perches in the soul –

And sings the tune without the words –

And never stops – at all –

“And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard”

This poem reminds us that hope is most needed during difficult times. And if there’s ever been a difficult time, it is now! So whether the sun is shining or those April showers are getting you down, remember that there has never been a better time for hope.

Sunlight Improves Physical and Mental Health

As the days grow longer, there are more opportunities for us to get enough Vitamin D.

According to Healthline , “When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it makes vitamin D from cholesterol. The sun’s ultraviolet B (UVB) rays hit cholesterol in the skin cells, providing the energy for vitamin D synthesis to occur.” Vitamin D helps your gut absorb essential minerals and can help prevent osteoporosis, cancer, and muscle weakness.

And according to Carey Bligard, MD , sunlight is a free mood enhancer. It increases serotonin levels, which helps people to have a better mood and overcome seasonal depression.

With good physical and mental health, you have more energy to do the things you love. So go out and get some sunlight!

There Is So Much to Look Forward To

One of the definitions of hope is “to expect with confidence.” Things may be difficult now, but that just gives us so much to look forward to. More time with loved ones, future vacations, and the return of sports to TV. There are many things we can’t control, but something we can control is what we choose to focus on! Be confident that there are good things to come, because there are.

This spring may not feel very spring-like, but we can feel lots of hope in the hard times, enjoy the benefits of sunlight, and look forward to good things to come. Stay healthy and live happy ® this spring season!