As the weather gets warmer, we tend to get happier. A light switches, and all the sudden our winter uglies and depression leaves the body the second we walk outside and feel the sun’s warmth.
Yet why does that seem to be the case? Is it because us beach town people need the sun to thrive, so when the weather hits below 60 for those few months, our bodies don’t know what to do? Maybe it’s simply because there is just more to do since we are not stuck bundling up inside. Or did we just need a little more vitamin D to bring a smile to our face?
“Not having to worry about putting on a bunch of layers just makes everyone happier,” said senior Spencer Agner. “Just being able to go outside makes a difference.”
In the months from November to February, you very rarely step outside without a shiver rushing down your spine. You wake up cold, pale, and have to make your outfits based off of staying warm instead of style. This often just causes you to wake up daily with a feeling of “bleh” which is often referred to as seasonal depression. This feeling of “bleh” is normally resolved once March rolls around and the time changes.
Once it hits March, people wake up and see the sun peek through their window and hear the birds chirping outside. Something about this just gets people up and excited. People’s moods are boosted and the winter uglies begin to fade away.
“I love going to the beach and hanging out with my friends,” said sophomore Haylea Russ. “Outside activities just make people happier.”
The feeling of the warm sand, the sound of the waves crashing, and the smell of the saltwater releases some sort of endorphins throughout our bodies. This could be due to the fact that we live in a beach town, we simply just aren’t as happy when the weather is not the given perfect beach day weather. Being at the beach and outdoors can just make frowns turn upside down.
“Going to the beach, playing golf, and pickleball out in the warm weather is just a great thing to do,” said Agner. “It makes me, and a lot of people, happier.”
Our beach town doesn’t offer many cold weather friendly activities, it’s based around things to do when it’s warm. Things like Agner said going to the beach, playing golf in our roaring golf community, and pickleball with friends all just bring on a good time, especially in the warmth. Another thing the warmth brings is the idea of school wrapping up
“The warm weather means school is almost out,” said freshman Maddox Conway. “I look forward to being out of school and being able to go out on the boat fishing.”
School is never everyone’s first choice of how they want to spend their time, but it’s necessary. School is often very stressful; four classes, lots of homework, either sports or work after school. There’s a lot to get done and little time to do it. However, once it hits the middle of March and the weather is warm enough to wear shorts, we know that we are in the last nine weeks of school, and before we know it, it’s summer. People become happier knowing that summer is around the corner and school is at its end.
So as the weather rises more and more each day and as the mid 50’s turn to high 70’s, the hope of happiness, a stress free summer, and no school is almost here. The late wake ups, long beach days under the hot sun, the fun late night with your friends are close, so don’t lose hope yet.
“You can get outside, open the windows and enjoy the nice breeze,” said Beth Zettlemoyer. “The sunshine on my face just makes me happy.”
