Thinking Spring

Happy April! This month we are thinking all things spring! I was inspired by the changing weather around me, changing moods of my kiddos, and the school book my daughter brought home about the Persian New Year. Together, we read “The Meaning of Nowruz” by Anahita Tamaddon and reflected on what new life and the rebirth of spring means in our lives.

As we emerge from the cold depths of winter into the sunshine of spring we take time to reflect on how the changing seasons change us. Neuroscience has long known that your brain is not an island. It responds to your internal world, always, but also to your external environment. Circadian rhythms, which govern your sleep-wake cycle, mood, cognition, and even hormone levels, are deeply affected by the seasons.  In spring, increased sunlight boosts serotonin production, the neurotransmitter responsible for mood stabilization and a sense of well-being. This natural uptick in serotonin is why you may feel a subtle lift in mood or a renewed sense of possibility this time of year, even when your calendar is still full and your stress levels haven’t changed. We all tend to feel it, and too often today dismiss the messages our bodies give us and try to override them with “logic”  and the need to get things done. The feelings to renew are authentic, and it would be wise to listen to them.

Spring triggers neuroplasticity— your brain’s ability to form new connections and pathways. Increased daylight and more time in nature can activate your prefrontal cortex while simultaneously calming your amygdala (your fear and stress hub). This means your brain is biologically more primed in spring to absorb new information, form new habits, and make decisions from a place of calm clarity rather than one of chronic reactivity.   There are many cultures that for thousands of years have seen spring as the beginning of a new year, when our bodies and minds are truly ready for growth and change. 

Think of it like this: spring isn’t just when the Earth blooms. It’s when your brain is most ready to reorganize itself around clarity, growth, and new strategies.

Take time to notice what renews your focus. Let spring be the season of growth and renewal in your mind and body, let spring work for you. 

-Kirsten, Client Care Coordinator